Drought

Political opponents are questioning how a longtime state agency insider will deliver change.

Two public water management agencies in Lane and Douglas counties have been awarded millions in federal funds for drought resiliency.

Farmers in the Yakima and Kittitas valleys will be some of the hardest hit by Washington state’s declared drought, where they are only projected to get about 54% of their normal water this summer.

The approach of April marks a key time of the year. It’s when mountain snow usually peaks across Oregon — offering a hint at the severity of the coming wildfire season and about conditions for farmers who rely on irrigation.

Across the Northwest, federal, state and regional officials are in general accord: There isn’t enough snow and with the start of spring just days away, the next couple of weeks will determine just how challenging it could get this summer for agricultural irrigators, fish and wildfires.

Amid long-term drought, a river system in Central Oregon rebounded from dire straits.

The federal funding was announced in conjunction with a new memorandum of understanding signed by representatives from the Klamath, Yurok and Karuk tribes and the farming group Klamath Water Users Association.

Oregon is the most drought-free it’s been since 2019, according to a recent report by the U.S. Drought Monitor. For some farmers, though, it will take more than one good season to recover.

Warm Springs Tribal Chairperson traveled across the country to testify about water crisis.

More than half of Oregon is experiencing moderate to severe drought, according to a state report released Monday.