Forests & Water
Forested lands produce some of the highest quality water for human consumption and aquatic species habitat. Over 300 community water supplies in Oregon rely on surface water, which is highly influenced by the surrounding and source landscapes. Oregon also provides habitat for more than 10 salmonid species and populations that are federally listed as threatened or endangered. INR uses our expertise in analyzing, synthesizing and sharing information to support a number of state, federal and interagency efforts to understand and address the connections between forests and water and the associated management challenges.
Projects
- Independent Research & Science Team (2023-). INR is hosting and providing administrative and research support for the science team associated with the adaptive management program for Oregon’s forest practices rules.
- NW Forest Plan Watershed Assessment (2018-2023). INR staff helped analyze data and write the 25-year assessment of watershed conditions in the 24 million acre NW Forest Plan area.
- Trees to Tap (2017-2020). INR worked with the Oregon Forest Resources Institute and OSU’s College of Forestry to synthesize science on the impacts of forest management on community drinking water supplies and analyze the management of forested municipal water systems in Oregon.
- Mid-coast Water Resource Planning Project (2021). INR collaborated to facilitate the Mid-Coast Water Planning Partnership in developing their Water Action Plan.
- Oregon Water Map Viewer.
- Oregon Watershed Restoration Tool. Access restoration project information and download data for Oregon Plan basins, subbasins or watershed councils.
- Oregon Watershed Restoration Reporter Tool. Use this tool to report on total number of restoration projects and investments for Oregon and it's basins, subbasins, counties and watershed councils.
- More projects can be found on our INR Water-related Work page