Droughts Declared In Additional Oregon Counties

Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought emergency in five more Oregon counties: Douglas, Gilliam, Harney, Lake, and Malheur. The executive order directs state agencies to coordinate and prioritize drought assistance.

This is the 4th drought declaration issued this year, bringing the total to 17 of Oregon’s 36 counties now under drought emergency status.

Douglas County

As of May 19, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) showed all of Douglas County in drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme drought. 85% of the county is in severe to extreme drought, including 11% in extreme drought. Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) values for the water year thus far also indicate moderate to severe drought conditions, with some areas reaching extreme drought levels.

Gilliam County

As of May 19, the USDM showed that 40% of Gilliam County is experiencing moderate to severe drought, including 6% classified as severe drought. SPEI values for the current water year indicate abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions across the southern half of the county, while the rest of the county remains near normal. Similar patterns are evident at longer time scales (180 days to 12 months), although much of the county has experienced drier-than-normal conditions over the past 60 days.

Harney County

As of May 19, the USDM showed that 82% of Harney County is experiencing moderate to severe drought, including 6% classified as severe drought. SPEI values for the current water year indicate moderate drought across most of the county, with some areas reaching severe to extreme drought levels. Conditions have worsened over the past 60 days, with some values reflecting extreme drought.

Lake County

As of May 19, the USDM showed that 88% of Lake County is experiencing moderate to severe drought, including 5% classified as severe drought. SPEI values for the current water year indicate moderate drought across most of the county, with some areas reaching severe to extreme drought levels. Over the past 60 days, conditions have worsened, with SPEI values increasingly reflecting extreme drought across much of the county.

Malheur County

As of May 19, the USDM showed that 63% of Malheur County is experiencing moderate to severe drought, including 40% classified as severe drought. SPEI values for the current water year indicate moderate drought across the southern half of the county. Conditions have worsened over the past 30 days, with SPEI values now reflecting severe to extreme drought across much of the county.

State officials say dry conditions are expected to continue through the summer, increasing wildfire danger and putting pressure on farms, ranches, water supplies, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation industries. The declaration unlocks emergency tools and assistance for local water users, while state agencies continue monitoring conditions alongside federal and Tribal partners.

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