Harney County to seek consultant work and grant routes to refine flood-mitigation plan

Harney County Court revisited flood-mitigation planning Nov. 5 and directed staff to pursue technical updates and funding options before altering infrastructure.

County staff and the road master said the county needs updated hydraulic modeling that includes the most recent flooding event to test whether proposed mitigation alternatives would perform as expected or create adverse downstream effects. "We need to put it into their model to see, can we justify doing this work? Is it gonna have the effect that we think? And is it or is it gonna adversely impact people downstream?" the road master said.

Brandon, the planning director, reported contacts with Regional Solutions and Business Oregon. Those offices suggested a levy-grant program as a possible funding avenue; Brandon said KleinSchmidt estimated re-engagement would cost about $100,000. Court members discussed timing (state funds may not be available until 2027) and interim options such as loans or using other grant programs to pay for re-engagement and possible roadwork.

Commissioners emphasized the need to consult surrounding landowners and federal land managers because actions on Foley Slough and nearby sites could shift water onto other properties. The court noted that multiple conservation and NRCS projects done this year (about a dozen projects) may already increase flow capacity in some areas.

No binding decision to perform construction was made; court directed planning staff to continue grant applications, to seek clarifying answers from Business Oregon about eligible uses (planning vs. construction), and to consult landowners and the consultant to test alternatives with last years data.