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Baker County watermaster reports quiet season, warns on illegal diversions during fires
Summary
Baker County Watermaster staff told commissioners on Jan. 8 that 2024 was largely routine, with early snowpack, ongoing repairs to headgates and measuring devices, and several incidents of unauthorized diversions tied to firefighting activity.
Marcy, Baker County watermaster, told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 8 that the county’s water administration had a largely routine 2024 season but faced localized problems from wildfires and infrastructure failures.
Marcy said snowpack came early this year, forcing the office to begin regulation about two weeks ahead of its usual schedule. The office's three main storage reservoirs — Phillips, Unity and Thief (referred to in discussion as the district’s primary reservoirs) — were filling at the time of the update, and the watermaster team reported recent lake levels for a range of local storage facilities.
Why it matters: the watermaster's office manages irrigation deliveries for farmers and ranchers across large parts of eastern Baker County; early regulation and reservoir releases can affect crop planning and livestock water supplies.
Marcy and her assistants, including Luke Albert and Luke Sells, reviewed operational highlights and the office’s priorities for 2025. Staff reported ditch repairs after erosion and a break in the Waterbury Allen Ditch and said they plan more measuring devices to improve efficiency. The state cost‑share program for headgates and measuring devices remains available to landowners who install equipment voluntarily, Marcy said; she emphasized the funding is not available if the devices are later made mandatory.
Marcy described several incidents during the summer western fires in which people diverted water “not authorized and not being used properly.” She said firefighting is an exempt use of water, but that some diversions were beyond what the office considered necessary for suppression. The office plans further outreach to educate water users about which diversions are lawful during emergencies.
Staff also noted personnel changes: a part‑time employee was hired to replace a longtime assistant and the state is recruiting a new assistant watermaster after a recent vacancy.
Details and background: staff said they will continue snow‑water equivalent measurements and share the results with NRCS and other agencies. The watermaster update included photos of recent headgate and measuring device installations funded through the state cost‑share program and recovery photos from this year’s fire suppression and ditch repairs.
Looking ahead: the office will pursue additional measuring devices and maintenance where needed, continue outreach about allowable emergency diversions, and plan for 2025 snow and reservoir operations.
