SALEM, Ore.-A drought has been declared in three Oregon Counties, including Morrow in the Northeast part of the state.
Governor Tina Kotek issued Executive Order 25-18, declaring a drought in Douglas, Morrow and Union Counties on August 4.
“Forecasts suggest that below normal precipitation and streamflow conditions are likely to continue in the Counties following an extended period during spring and early summer with drier and warmer than normal conditions,” Gov. Kotek said in her drought declaration. “Drought is likely to have a significant economic impact on the agricultural, livestock, natural resource and recreational tourism sectors and increase the risk of wildfire in the Counties.”
Morrow County has been experiencing severe drought conditions since July 15, after below normal precipitation in the area from March through June, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“We had a wet winter but the rain pretty much stopped entirely in April, and it has been extremely dry since then,” said Morrow County Commissioner Gus Peterson.
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners declared a state of drought emergency at their regular meeting on July 2, which allowed Commissioners to ask Gov. Kotek to officially declare a drought.
“This drought declaration will help Morrow County primarily through the ability to access emergency programs through both the state and the federal level,” said Commissioner Peterson. “Farmers, ranchers, and municipalities may qualify for state-level assistance programs, as well as this being the first step for USDA disaster designation, which opens the door for federal-level support.”
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) could issue Temporary Emergency Water Use Permits to water rights holders in Morrow County, which would allow for the temporary replacement of water not available under an existing water right during the drought emergency.
The most common drought permit allows for the use of groundwater as an alternative to an existing surface water right, according to the OWRD.
Temporary exchanges of water, which allow for the use of stored water instead of a direct-flow surface-water right, could also be allowed as an emergency measure during a declared drought.
