January 11 at the Boys & Girls Club — Droughts and Deficits 2: Water in Our Future

good_irrigation_managementScientists project that the Willamette Valley will likely have an adequate water supply through the end of this century, but higher temperatures, population growth and the need to maintain fish and wildlife habitat will affect how we manage water and wastewater. Municipal systems may face increasing costs in order to meet demand and to address environmental concerns.

In parts of rural Benton County, groundwater is already strained as wells run dry in summer months.

What can communities and individuals do to meet future water needs? How will a changing climate affect water availability and wastewater treatment in Corvallis and Benton County? How can we supply our farms, homes and industries and still meet environmental goals for fish and wildlife?

At the January 11 Corvallis City Club meeting, three speakers will address these and other topics:

  • Sam Chan is an expert in invasive species and aquatic ecosystem health at Oregon State University. He will discuss the findings of the Willamette Watershed 2100 project, a five-year project funded by the National Science Foundation.
  • Craig Massie is an engineer with CH2MHill with expertise in wastewater reclamation and re-use. He has led engineering on water and wastewater projects throughout Oregon, including Albany’s Talking Waters.
  • Owen Dell is a Corvallis-based landscape architect and advises communities and landowners on water conservation. He is the principal of Owen Dell & Associates, specializing in sustainable landscape architectural services.

The meeting is free and open to the public and will begin at 12 noon and conclude by 1:15 at the Boys & Girls Club, 1112 NW Circle. Doors will open at 11:30. A catered lunch (chicken Marsala; jasmine rice; broccoli, raisin and bacon salad) is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. To reserve lunch, send email to info@cityclubofcorvallis.org by noon Friday, January 8. You can also pay for lunch online with your credit card.

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