Klamath Basin

It may be cold with snow on the ground, but the U.S. Forest Service is already looking to the fire season ahead.  Oregon’s ongoing drought, more frequent heatwaves and less rain and snow, mean longer and more intense fire seasons.   “The h...

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 ...

For many stretches across the Pacific Northwest, the past couple of years have been hot and dry.  And while those conditions have taken a toll on pasture lands across the region, Jeff Clark, Pasture Market Development Specialist with Corteva Agriscience, said proper planning will help ensure those pastures are ready for the heart upcoming season.   “...

On Friday, senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley pressed the Bureau of Reclamation to prioritize Oregon when it comes to drought relief.  A letter sent by the two lawmakers, said, in part, “we strongly urge the Bureau of Reclamation to provide critical funding to areas in Oregon that have been devastated by the historic, multi-year, extreme drought conditions."   ...

The Farmers Conservation Alliance was recently awarded $120,000 from Google to better manage data, as they help 40 different irrigation communities in the west learn to better manage their water.   “When you think about working with each of those communities and looking at infrastructure that’s a significant part of rural communities, you just have a lot of information that you’re managing."

The Klamath Irrigation District in Southern Oregon plans to defy a U.S. government order issued last week for a halt to water deliveries to farmers in the drought-stricken basin.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation manages the Klamath Project, which includes Klamath Irrigation District and serves 266 square miles of farmland around the Oregon-California border.  A ...

Oregon’s senior Senator wants federal agencies to take a bigger step in improving the water situation in the west, amid ongoing drought. In Tuesday’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing in Washington D.C., Senator Ron Wyden used Oregon as an example of the dire circumstances. “The su ...

Despite cool wet weather through mid and late April into early May, several portions of Oregon continue to struggle with drought. State Climatologist Larry O’Neill said western Oregon, specifically the Willamette is fairing very well, as are portions of SW Oregon. But ...

Oregon FFA President Isabel D’Acquisto says one of the biggest issues impacting the farming community across Oregon, especially in the southern portion of the state is water…or a lack of it.

Oregon senator Jeff Merkley says he has secured much needed funding to help rural communities across the state, make forests more resilient and protect public lands. The bill is the basis for negotiations with the House, as Congress works to fund the government for fiscal year 2022 ...