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Prior appropriations of river flows (primarily to agriculture) have greatly reduced flow in many Oregon streams, causing major changes in stream ecosystems. This study focuses on trade-offs between instream and agricultural uses for the two largest irrigation districts in Oregon's Deschutes River basin. Both short- and long-term water lease strategies are examined, as are requirements now in place that water leases be accompanied by fallowing land formerly served by the leased water. The low-cost strategies combine canal lining with reductions in farmer's per acre water use. Short-term leases are less costly than long-term leases
