University of Oregon. Ecosystem Workforce Program2016-01-282016-01-282013https://hdl.handle.net/1794/195842 pagesFish recovery in rivers depends on sufficient instream flows to maintain water quality and habitat. In many areas, water rights for agriculture present direct competition for these flows, and “use it or lose it” water rights provide little flexibility to landowners who may be able to contribute unneeded rights. An innovative partnership between a nonprofit and a private water company in Bend, OR is tackling these challenges with a new twist on traditional water banking. The Blue Water program offers a novel way to pay for water banking, giving municipal water users a way to pitch in for their local river while enhancing instream flows and financially benefiting agricultural landowners.en-USCreative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0-USOther