Partners Celebrate Groundbreaking of OGWRP's EL 80.6 System

Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) partners recently celebrated another major milestone with the groundbreaking of the EL 80.6 delivery system, marking the fourth OGWRP system to advance into construction.

Hosted by the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID) on June 10th, the groundbreaking brought together agricultural producers and local, state, and federal partners who have worked for years to move groundwater replacement from planning to implementation.

OGWRP partners, including representatives from NRCS-WA, USBR, CBCD, ECBID, Farmers Conservation Alliance, and Representative Mary Dye celebrate the EL 80.6 groundbreaking on June 10th | Photo courtesy of ECBID

When completed, EL 80.6 will transition approximately 5,862 acres from deep groundwater wells to a reliable Columbia River surface water supply, reducing withdrawals from the declining Odessa Subarea Aquifer while helping sustain productive irrigated agriculture.

NRCS Investment Helps Move EL 80.6 Forward

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is playing a critical role in making the EL 80.6 transition possible, investing approximately $16 million through two Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) awards secured by the Columbia Basin Conservation District.

NRCS's investments are helping complete both critical pieces of groundwater replacement: the public EL 80.6 delivery system that brings Columbia Basin Project water to the area and the on-farm infrastructure producers need to put that water to use.

By supporting both public and on-farm infrastructure, NRCS is helping accelerate the retirement of deep groundwater wells and ensuring that investment in the delivery system translates into measurable conservation benefits on the ground.

Momentum Continues Across the Odessa Subarea

EL 80.6 is part of a growing network of groundwater replacement systems. EL 47.5 was completed in 2021, EL 86.4 was completed in 2025, EL 84.7 is under construction, and additional OGWRP systems continue to advance through planning and design.

With EL 80.6 construction now underway, ECBID and OGWRP partners expect work to move swiftly, with Columbia Basin Project water anticipated to begin serving the system in 2027.