• Irrigation districts issue drought declaration request; earliest on record

    Posted onBy in categories Local , RivertaggedCentral Oregon , Drought , Irrigation , Reservoirs , Water
    Central Oregon irrigation districts are requesting drought declaration – the earliest on record. Learn more here. BY BROOKE SNAVELY | CENTRAL OREGON DAILY NEWS

    Low snow pack in the mountains and low water levels in the reservoirs are prompting local farmers to request a drought declaration, the earliest on record.

    Eight irrigation districts in our area are seeking the drought declaration, because they don’t expect water storage to improve before summer’s heat sets in.

    Central Oregon farmers and ranchers and the irrigation districts who serve them already know there’s not enough water in the mountains to keep irrigation canals full during the normal growing season, April through October.

    That’s why they are filing drought declarations early.

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