These four dams are examples of the outdated and deteriorating irrigation infrastructure that is making it increasingly difficult to sustain the traditional method of forage production using wild flood irrigation. Adding to the stress is increasing frequency of drought and increasing evapotranspiration reducing available spring flows for flood irrigation. Lessening snow accumulation patterns affect runoff amounts and timing and in turn duration and availability of water for irrigating meadows. Recent evaluations of climate change on wetlands across the arid west (Donnelly et al., 2020; Haig et al., 2019) have documented declining wetland habitats and raise the concern of loss of flyway connectivity particularly wetlands in snowmelt dominated watersheds like the Harney Basin. In summary, major stresses to the wild flood irrigated wet meadows in the Harney Basin include:

• Expansion of reed canary grass and other non-native grass species that affect the habitat quality of flood irrigated wet meadows.
• Outdated and deteriorating wild flood irrigation infrastructure.
• Climate change affecting stream runoff timing, duration and amount of water available for wild flood irrigation.

HBWC seeks to ensure private ranch lands continue to be productive wet meadows for agriculture as well as for breeding birds and migratory birds along the Pacific flyway. While stewardship of public and private lands provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife species, it also directly benefits the local economy, supporting working ranches and maintaining the region’s vibrant bird-watching tourism.