A drought emergency declaration is being considered again by Deschutes County commissioners. Approval could help local farmers and ranchers access loans and state support to overcome losses related to the drought, now in its fourth year.
In the Media
Columbia Basin Bulletin – WDFW REPORT CALLS FOR NEW STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON STREAMFLOW, SALMON: ‘NEED TO ADDRESS IF WANT TO RECOVER SALMON
A new report recently released by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife calls for new strategies and policy tools to address consequences of increasing human demand for water and the effects of climate change on Washington’s rivers, streams and salmon.
Columbia Basin Bulletin – RECENT ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS BY THE NUMBERS: MOST RAINFALL SINCE LINCOLN WAS PRESIDENT
From late Dec. 2022 into Jan. 2023, a series of nine “atmospheric rivers” dumped a record amount of rain and mountain snow across the western U.S. and Canada, hitting California particularly hard.
Bend Bulletin – Oregon senator wants state to investigate cloud seeding to alleviate drought
The thick, dark clouds that have poured over the Cascades from Western Oregon in winter have provided only mediocre amounts of snowfall in recent years. Now, some hope cloud seeding could turn things around and boost snowpack in times of drought.
Capital Press – Photo gallery gives voice to Klamath Basin farmers during water crisis
Whitley is a native Oregonian who grew up on her family’s small beef ranch in Douglas County. She said the goal of a PhotoVoice gallery is to spark conversation and deepen understanding of the issues facing a group of people.
Bend Bulletin – Four years of drought taking a toll on weary Central Oregon farmers
Moisture this winter provides some hope for a better year but many farmers are leaving the business or cutting production.
Bend Bulletin – New water treatment plant in the works for Warm Springs as system continues to fail
In mid-2019, the water delivery system on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation failed spectacularly. Burst pipes and broken water pumps combined to shut down the system, leaving around 3,800 residents of the area without safe drinking water for months on end. After nearly four years, progress is being made.
The New Yorker – How Native Americans Will Shape the Future of Water in the West
Tribal nations hold the rights to significant portions of the Colorado River. In the increasing drought, some are showing the way to sustainability.
The Oregonian – Report says Oregon needs coordinated water-management plan
Communities across Oregon cannot access reliable clean water, and the state doesn’t have a coordinated plan to address the problem, according to an advisory report from Secretary of State Shemia Fagan.