Scoping and Interest Identification

Josephine County has become a popular place to live. In the near future there will probably be no end to new rural neighbors’ dependence upon ground water from domestic wells.

There is little long-term ground water availability information in the Hugo region, and it is difficult to determine how long the ground water resource will sustain present and future demands.

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) has five monitoring wells in the region: 1. a well level recorder on one well at North Valley High School, 2. a well at the school with quarterly measurements, 3 . a heavily monitored "earthquake" well at North Valley Industrial Park, 4. a well at the National Guard armory with quarterly measurements, and 5. a well level recorder on one well at the residence of Malcolm and Tommi Drake.

Hugo neighbors can help address the ground water availability issue by participating in OWRD’s informal volunteer well monitoring program. The process for Hugo will be in two phases: 1. a scoping or interest identification phase, and 2. a monitoring phase.¹

Almost 50 neighbors are already signed up in this volunteer program with the OWRD.²   They invite you to join them.

Malcolm & Tommi Drake, Mike & Cindy Walker, Reuben & Pam Mosqueda, George & Nikkie Phillips, Blake and Jacque Hardwick, Bill & Karen Rose, Rich & Mona Erickson, John & Tillie Baker, Chuck & Shelia Spain, Elva Hinshaw, Jud & Judy Morgan, Bob & Jan Maxwell, Wayne & Janet McKy, Randi Omley-Tatum, Zane & Beverely Searles, Darryl & Terri Dickerson, Lorena Chapman & Michael Brassill, Virgil & Charlyn Witcher, Holger & Mary Sommer, Dick & Carol Smith, Ed & Ann Lyneis, Jan Christensen, Jack & Harlene Darkins, Art & Phyllis Chatham, and Bob & Flo Foulke.

The following neighbors are interested in learning more and are committed to meet with a representative of the OWRD.

The Hugo region is defined roughly as the northern Jump Off Joe Creek watershed (north of Merlin).

Participating in this simple monitoring program would provide landowners insight into their well’s production capabilities. It’s relatively easy to do, kind of fun, and provides for the comfort of knowing more about your own property.

This is a volunteer program and can be discontinued by the landowner at any time. This is a permission program and water levels will not be measured without landowner consent as to time and place volunteers are on private property. This is a public program and all water information gathered will be available to the public.

Want more information? Contact an officer of the Hugo Neighborhood on how you can become involved in this volunteer well water-monitoring program.