Aquifer Storage and Recovery
and Artificial Recharge in Oregon:
Overcoming Technical, Regulatory,
and Social Challenges

Convened by OSU Institute for Water and Watersheds
and Oregon Water Resources Department

28 February 2008
LaSells Stewart Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Beyond the “traditional” large scale demands for water used for agriculture, the emerging demands include a growing population, climate change, and the “energy-water nexus”.  According to the Western Governors’ Association 2007 estimates, Oregon can anticipate a 41% increase in population - up to 4.83 million people - by 2030. To foster sustainable growth, the Western Governors’ Association recommends that states identify water requirements and storage options which integrate water supply impact scenarios so that local decision makers are apprised of the situation.

Surface water storage options in Oregon are few and far between with geological, societal, and environmental constraints limiting new large scale dams.  With climate change models predicting an increase in rainfall as opposed to snow in the mountain ranges, coupled with predictions of decreased aquifer recharge, the opportunities for increased water storage all point “underground”.  With just 11 sites in Oregon licensed for Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) or Artificial Recharge (AR), coupled with a recently-completed statewide survey for new ASR/AR sites, the timing was perfect to share lessons learned to prepare to “expand the bubble” of applying managed recharge in Oregon.

International, national, state, and local experts were assembled for a one-day symposium at Oregon State University to examine obstacles and opportunities for ASR/AR in Oregon.  Scholars from Portland State University, the University of Oregon, and Oregon State University examined emerging conflicts, legal challenges, geographic opportunities associated with ASR/AR.  Regulatory obstacles and opportunities were provided by the Oregon Water Resources Department, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Oregon Department of Health Services.  Engineering design and operations experts provided case studies of ongoing ASR/AR projects.  And David Pyne of ASR Systems and the author of the seminal book Aquifer Storage Recovery (2nd Edition) presented the keynote address and offered signed copies of his book for sale during the symposium.

Who attended this symposium?

• Hydrogeologists
• Groundwater and Irrigation Engineers
• Water System Supervisors and Operators
• Economists
• Lawyers
• Water Policy Experts
• Geochemists
• Geographers 
• Land Use, Water Resource, and Natural Resource Planners
• Elected Officials
• Agriculturalists
• Students
• Environmental Organizations