Gov. Kotek issues drought declaration for Jefferson County as drought has eased, but severe impacts still linger

Sixth straight year for county, which was rejected in its initial request earlier this year

WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced Thursday that she has declared a drought in Jefferson County through Executive Order 24-08 and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region, granting a request initially denied by state officials.

The drought declaration for Jefferson County for a fifth straight year (and sixth since 2015) marks the first made by Governor Kotek this year.

"However, the effects of the multi-year drought have yet to improve throughout the Deschutes River Basin," the governor's announcement noted. "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. Forecast water supply conditions and precipitation levels are not expected to improve.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Jefferson County has been drought-free since March 19, and the latest Oregon Drought Monitor map finds only "abnormally dry" conditions for areas of the state.

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 improved snowpack for much of the state led to an initial denial of Jefferson County's request for a 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," Kotek's office said. 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, the governor said 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.

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