NRCS Associate Chief Louis Aspey Visits Eastern Washington to Tour OGWRP Progress

On July 15, 2025, Associate Chief Louis Aspey of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) visited eastern Washington for a firsthand look at the progress of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP). Hosted by the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) and the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID), the visit was part of a field tour that highlighted the region’s efforts to build a more sustainable future for agriculture and groundwater resources.

Louis Aspey, the Associate Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), listens to Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program leaders as they discuss the impacts of the declining aquifer at the dried-up Pacific Lake in Washington, July 15, 2025. The lake is dry due to the declining Odessa Aquifer, which is why many local, state, and federal agencies have come together to help convert 87,700 acres of irrigated farmland from groundwater to surface water. (USDA/NRCS photo by Nate Gallahan.)

The OGWRP is a collaborative initiative designed to transition farmers from declining groundwater wells to more reliable surface water supplied through the Columbia Basin Project. During the tour, Associate Chief Aspey and other stakeholders viewed key infrastructure, including the recently completed EL 86.4 delivery system, which will provide surface water to thousands of acres of farmland.

Louis Aspey, the Associate Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), listens to Doug Allen, a Resource Planner Specialist with the Columbia Basin Conservation District, about how NRCS has supported the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (WaterSMART initiative), Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and the PL-566 Small Watershed Program, to help convert 87,500 acres of irrigated farmland from groundwater to surface water. (USDA/NRCS photo by Nate Gallahan.)

Local leaders, irrigators, and conservation professionals had the opportunity to share insights about the challenges and successes of the project, as well as the role that NRCS programs and partnerships have played in making conservation-focused solutions possible.

A group of conservation leaders, including Louis Aspey, the Associate Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), discuss the impacts of the declining aquifer at the edge of the dried-up Pacific Lake in Washington, July 15, 2025. The lake is dry due to the declining Odessa Aquifer, which is why many local, state, and federal agencies have come together to help convert 87,500 acres of irrigated farmland from groundwater to surface water. (USDA/NRCS photo by Nate Gallahan.)

A key moment of the tour was the stop at Pacific Lake. Once dry from 2004 to 2016, the lake is again completely dry as of 2022 due to the declining Odessa Aquifer. The dry lake sparked meaningful conversations about drought, water availability, and the long-term challenges facing this part of the Columbia Basin. For many participants, it was a powerful visual reminder of the critical need for continued investment in water conservation.

Left photo: Elsa Bowen, Chair of the Columbia Basin Sustainable Water Coalition, and Commissioner Jo Gilchrist, board member, at Pacific Lake in Lincoln County. Their leadership is crucial as the Coalition addresses the ongoing water challenges in the region. Right photo: Pacific Lake in Lincoln County, showing the stark reality of low water levels. Once a thriving recreational spot, the lake is now dry, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

As eastern Washington continues to face water availability issues, Aspey’s visit affirmed the importance of continued federal, state, and local collaboration. The CBCD and partners expressed appreciation for NRCS’s ongoing support and highlighted future opportunities to expand conservation practices in the Columbia Basin. Learn more about the OGWRP at www.ogwrp-programs.org.

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