Water Acquisition Grants
Forecasted
Water Acquisition Grants support organizations carrying out voluntary water acquisitions across Oregon to protect instream flows for native fish and wildlife habitat, watershed health, and water quality.
Funder: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: No maximum award amount; match of at least 25% of the OWEB request
Summary: Supports voluntary water acquisitions across Oregon that protect instream flows for habitat, species conservation, and water quality.
Key Information: Projects must involve legal water rights not subject to forfeiture and include on-the-ground implementation.
Description
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Water Acquisition Grant Program supports planning and implementation of voluntary transactions with willing sellers or lessors across Oregon. Its purpose is to maintain or restore instream flows that benefit watersheds and native fish and wildlife habitat, or improve water quality in water-quality-limited areas.
Eligible approaches include instream leases, split-season leases, time-limited and permanent instream transfers, water use agreements, and conserved water projects through Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) programs, including the Deschutes Basin Alternative Pathway. Projects must produce legally or contractually protected instream flows. OWEB funds other entities to carry out these projects rather than holding the acquired water interests itself.
