OWEB Water Acquisition Grants

The OWEB water acquisition program supports the planning and implementation of acquiring an interest in water from a willing seller across Oregon — permanent instream transfers, temporary/split-season/time-limited leases of instream water rights, conserved-water projects, voluntary curtailments, and water-use agreements — to increase instream flow for habitat and improve water quality. Willing sellers (irrigators and landowners) are paid to relinquish surface-water use.

Institutional applicants: any Tribe, watershed council, soil and water conservation district, not-for-profit corporation, school, Oregon institution of higher education, independent not-for-profit institution of higher education, or political subdivision of Oregon that is not a state agency (state/federal agencies may partner). Proposals must protect instream flows addressing ODFW-identified conservation needs or improve water quality in DEQ-designated limited areas. Required match: 25%.

Supports acquiring an interest in water from a willing seller. Project types: instream leases, split-season leases, time-limited transfers, conserved-water projects, permanent instream transfers, and water-use agreements. Required match: 25%. Grants are paid on a cost-reimbursement basis.

Apply online via OWEB's Online Grant Management System (OGMS). The 2026 cycle runs August 19 - October 14, 2026 (applications due 5 pm on October 14).