Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought in Jefferson County through Executive Order 24-08 and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Jefferson County has been drought free since March 19, 2024. However, the effects of the multi-year drought have yet to improve throughout the Deschutes River Basin. Drought metrics like the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) indicate long-term drought conditions are still present in Jefferson County.

Additionally, below normal precipitation, streamflow, and groundwater conditions further indicate persistent drought conditions in the basin. In addition to the precipitation deficits experienced during the current water year, precipitation has measured below average in Jefferson County since 2018. These prolonged precipitation deficits result in less recharge to groundwater systems, further contributing to below normal groundwater and soil moisture conditions which ultimately results in lower base flows.

Forecasted water supply conditions and precipitation levels are not expected to improve.

Drought is likely to have a significant economic impact on the farm, ranch, recreation, tourism and natural resources sectors, as well as an impact on drinking water, fish and wildlife, and important minimum flows for public instream uses and other natural resources dependent on adequate precipitation, stored water, and streamflow in these areas. Extreme conditions are expected to affect local growers and livestock, increase the potential for wildfire, shorten the growing season, and decrease water supplies.

The drought declaration by Governor Kotek unlocks a number of drought-related emergency tools, including assistance to local water users. Drought declarations also allow the Water Resources Department to expedite review processes and reduce fee schedules.

The Oregon Drought Readiness Council, a standing body composed of natural resource, public health, and emergency response agencies, heard from the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners in April requesting the Governor’s drought declaration.

The Council received input from Oregon’s Water Supply Availability Committee on regional water supply conditions and Council members have conferred on this matter. The Council recommended that the Governor declare drought in Jefferson County for the 2024 calendar year, pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 536.740.

As state and local officials coordinate with federal partners, conditions will be closely monitored by the state’s natural resource and public safety agencies, including the Oregon Water Resources Department and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.

This drought declaration marks the first made by Governor Kotek this calendar year.

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