The Local Projects and Programs Survey email is now back open! Please complete the survey (or email Matt Cogburn your capital improvement plan) to help us keep the OWRB Infrastructure Needs Dashboard up to date with Oklahoma’s latest water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure challenges.

OSU Extension – Shape the future of water related workshops and programs with OSU’s new survey!

KOSU Waterline is a project that looks into how water impacts peoples’ lives. Take their survey or listen to water focused news stories on kosu.org/waterline.

Sunset in the valley of Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, OK

OWRB has completed Round 5 Regional Meetings that discussed preliminary draft recommendations from the 2025 Update to the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP). The OCWP Team appreciates all attendees who participated. Review what was discussed in previous rounds and the OCWP Roundtable at the Governor’s Water Conference by visiting the Water Planning page on OWRB’s website. Click here to read the Round 5 Summary. The following are a few key takeaways that the OCWP Team heard from meeting participants.

• Formation of regional planning groups in Oklahoma is a high priority for water users across the state. Organizing these groups by a shared water resource (i.e., watershed or aquifer, rather than counties or other political boundaries) received support by many participants.
• Oklahomans support OWRB and their role to enforce the statutory requirements of their water rights administration program. It is a shared belief among many participants that improving this program will make the permitting process more efficient while protecting existing and future water rights holders.
• It is recognized that more funding is needed to support local water projects and programs throughout Oklahoma with current and potential future programs.
  • Sports betting tax proceeds, an additional tax on medical marijuana, and an additional tax on bottled water/plastic bottles were highly regarded as possible water funding programs that could be implemented and raise sufficient funding to be effective at addressing water planning, management, and infrastructure challenges. Many supported these programs because they would be additional fees on discretionary spending items, rather than necessary items.

OCWP at Water Day

The OCWP Team met with legislators and other exhibitors at the year's Water Appreciation Day at the Capitol on May 13 to discuss the upcoming publication of the water plan update. Team members were able to preview the OCWP Water Demand Dashboard and review the Infrastructure Needs Dashboard with those that stopped by the OCWP booth. See the team below! 

Left to right: Yohanes Sugeng, Matt Cogburn, John Rehring, Julie Cunningham, Amber Wooten, Sarah Jones

Funding Resources

Review the potential funding opportunities for your community or rural water district with OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division Loan and Grant Resource Guide. Email FAD@owrb.ok.gov with any questions or concerns. See the communities in your area that have been assisted by OWRB’s program by visiting their dashboard.

Upcoming Activities

• The Oklahoma Ground Water Association, in partnership with OSU and OWRB, are hosting four continuing education sessions this year. Two separate sessions will be held online May 30 and June 9, both from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Registration for these sessions and information regarding two in-person sessions will be available soon on OGWA’s website.
• OWRB’s Financial Assistance Division is hosting a public meeting for the CWSRF SFY 2026 Intend Use Plan (IUP) on Wednesday, June 11 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Attend in person at OWRB’s office, 3800 North Classen Boulevard, or virtually by registering. Submit your public comments on this year’s IUP to FAD@owrb.ok.gov on this year’s IUP by Thursday, June 13 at 5:00 p.m.
• The Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) has a variety of online and in-person events available. Find out more by visiting the ASDSO training calendar. Their next virtual session will be held on June 10 on the “Use of Void Ratio (e) in Earth Dams.”
• OWRB and OFMA announced 2025 Floodplain Workshops. Learn more and register for a Floodplain Management 101, Floodplain Management 202, or OFMA Special Topics in Floodplain Management course today! Register by visiting OWRB's website. The next sessions will be held this coming August.
• Learn more and review OSU Extension’s event calendar to see if there is an event happening soon in your county, or if there is an online session that interests you!
• May is American Wetlands Month. This is a time when the EPA and their partner federal, state, tribal, local, non-profit, and private sector organizations celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to our Nation’s ecological, economic, and social health. Wetlands help improve water quality and supply, reduce flooding and provide critical habitat for plants, fish and wildlife. Celebrate! Learn! Explore!

Round 5 Regional Meetings have concluded, but the OCWP planning team continues to welcome additional input from citizens, groups, state and local officials, tribal partners, and others on critical water issues across the state. The OCWP will be submitted to the state legislature in September of this year, but it is envisioned that we will continue discussions and plan implementations for the foreseeable future. There are many challenges ahead that need our consistent attention. Thank you to those who have taken time out of their schedules to attend OCWP public meetings, workgroups, and discussions!

Best regards to each and every one of you,

Matt Cogburn | Interim Director of Water Planning Oklahoma Water Resources Board 405.530.8800 | matt.cogburn@owrb.ok.gov