Drought and Water

The Northwest has seen several storms over the past couple of weeks, boosting the snowpack numbers.  But unfortunately, those storms have done very little to address the on-going drought.  Climatologist Zach Hoylman said the Pacific Northwest has seen cooler than average temperatures this winter, helping the region’s snowpack.  But, he was quick to po...

The Northwest remains very dry with two dozen days to go to spring.   According to the latest drought numbers, 92% of Oregon is Abnormally Dry, while 77% of the state is under a D-1, or Moderate Drought, designation.  Both of those figures increased over the past week.  Meanwhile, S...

If drought returns to Klamath County this year, farmers and growers shouldn’t expect assistance from the state.  The Oregon Water Resources Department recently announced if a drought emergency is declared, it is unlikely that Emergency Use Permits for groundwater will be issued.  Better known ...

On Tuesday, senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced Oregon will receive $18.9 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants.  The funds look to target issues like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water.   “...

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared drought emergencies for Crook and Jefferson counties in the central portion of the state. That now directs agencies to prioritize assistance to the region. Both counties requested the declaration in January...

On Monday, the Department of Agriculture announced new investments and strategies to help farmers and ranchers conserve water, address climate change and build drought resilience in the West.  The effort is through the Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action to address key water and land management challenges across 17 Western States.  The fra...

After a month of several winter storms, the Oregon snowpack is much improved from January.  Matt Warbritton, with NRC Oregon, says most basins across the state are near or above average for this time of year.  Some of the best performing basins right now are found in the southeast portion of the state, including:  The Lake County-Goose Lake at 124% of normal  The Owyhee Basin at 118% of average T

After such a strong start to the snow season, things have turned quiet, and a little discouraging when it comes to Washington’s snowpack.   “Statewide we're sitting at 92% of normal; that is down from 106% just one month ago.  And that's jus...

On Thursday, Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo as well as West Virginia's Shelley Moore Capito, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined 47 of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing a formal challenge to the Biden administration’s WOTUS rule.  Tha...

Central Oregon’s Crook County remains the only place in the western United States under a D-4, or Exceptional Drought, designation.  And again, county leaders have asked for a state drought declaration.  County Judge Seth Crawford says he’s also talked with the Governor about funding a biomass plant that would use juniper trees to create power, but more studies are needed.   “Then we can go to dif