East Columbia Basin Irrigation District in Grant and Adams counties gets federal funding for water conservation
OTHELLO – The East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID) has been chosen as one of 18 U.S. irrigation districts to participate in a federal program aimed at helping farmers maintain commodity production while conserving water across the West. This initiative, announced by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, includes a $400 million investment through the Western Water Framework. The funding will support irrigation districts and producers in adopting innovative water-saving technologies and farming practices, with the goal of conserving up to 50,000 acre-feet of water across 250,000 acres of irrigated land.
Located in central Washington State, the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District is the largest district in the state, authorized to irrigate 472,000 acres. Currently, 169,000 acres are developed and managed by 4,500 landowners within the federal Columbia Basin Project. Additionally, the District is involved in developing 87,000 acres through the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP). The District ensures a reliable water supply for cropland that produces food for both domestic and international markets.