WSU: Water Vital For Potato Farms In Odessa Aquifer

What happens to potato farms in the water challenged Odessa aquifer region if they don’t get the needed water?  That was a question WSU researchers looked to answer.  Since 2005, irrigated potato acreage in the sub-area fell by over 25% due to water quantity and quality issues.  Matt Harris with the Washington State Potato Commission told the Washington Ag Network that drop is bad news for growers, and bad new for the region, and bad news for the Northwest.

“The potatoes produced are used for long-term storage which helps maintain stable yearlong supply of potatoes for the processing industry."

WSU reported the is the Odessa sub-aquifer area completely losses potato production could result in the loss of $138 million annually and nearly 3,000 jobs.  The long-term goal is to bring an additional 90,000 acres of land into the aquifer region.  Harris said it’s important that federal, state and local funds are tapped to ensure this project continues forward and completes a promise made years ago.

Harris added moving forward this WSU report provides the evidence they need to go before lawmakers to ensure construction does not stop.

“Reaffirm the importance of funding for Odessa, and that’s what this really speaks on is the kind of look at the economic value to the what you are doing so that tomorrow we’ll have that stability for our family farms.”

The Odessa Sub-area underlies Adams, Franklin, Grant and Lincoln counties.  To read WSU's report, Click Here.

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