McKenzie watershed emergency response
McKenzie River

As part of its drinking water source protection program, the Eugene Water & Electric Board is working closely with 27 other federal, state, and local agencies to implement a watershed emergency response system.

The McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response System (MWERS), initiated and developed primarily by EWEB for use by "first responders" during an emergency, is used by incident commanders to quickly gain access to crucial information, equipment, and trained personnel allowing for an effective response.

Watershed responders use Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to access information on a threats, critical resources, spill response strategies, equipment availability and other information needed during a crisis. First responders and others are able to use this information to efficiently and effectively stabilize accidental or intentional chemical releases as soon as possible and avoid the initial confusion often associated with spills.

MWERS is a computerized, web-based program, allowing first responders to retrieve information quickly and make assessments about the tools and equipment needed to deal with an emergency. For example, responders can:

  • Enter the location of a spill and then zoom in on a map and photo of the area. The responder then can visually assess the situation.
  • Get a detailed, specific response plan for the segment of the river where a spill occurred. Each response strategy provides detailed information and instructions the responder will use to mitigate a spill.
  • Get an inventory of equipment that is available.
  • Get a list of contacts and locations of where equipment is located.
  • Identify storm drains and culverts.
  • Create a report that shows the travel time of the pollutant that has spilled.
  • Get an estimate of the population that might be affected.
  • Get a list of upstream facilities that use or store hazardous materials.

Backgrounder: Using GIS technology for emergency spill response planning (PDF).

If you are interested in learning more about how MWERS works, call Karl Morgenstern, EWEB's drinking water source protection coordinator, at (541) 685-7000.