Oregon's drought is spreading
Drought conditions are increasing in Oregon, despite near-average precipitation for the year.
Half the state now is in moderate drought, and the remainder is abnormally dry, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Several streams are approaching record lows for this time of year, the Oregon Water Resources Department reported this week.
It’s the fifth consecutive year of drought for Oregon and the West.
In Oregon, rain and snow levels were normal in early spring. But June marked three consecutive months that were drier than usual for much of the state.
That led to early melting of mountain snowpacks – Oregon’s natural reservoirs.
All of Oregon’s river basins now have below-average streamflows, ranging from 22 percent of average in the Umatilla Basin to 67 percent of average in the Grande Ronde Basin.
Streamflows in the Willamette Basin are 36 percent of average.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is calling for above-normal temperatures through September.
tloew@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/Tracy_Loew
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