Governor Kotek declares drought emergency in Lake County, second of the year, after Jefferson

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Governor Tina Kotek has declared a drought in Lake County through Executive Order 24-26, and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Lake County has been in moderate drought since July 9. Drought metrics like the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) are also indicating long-term drought conditions are persistent in Lake County.

Additionally, below-normal precipitation, above-normal temperatures, streamflow and soil moisture conditions further indicate persistent drought conditions in Lake County, the governor's office said.

Forecast water supply conditions and precipitation levels are not expected to meaningfully improve. Drought is likely to have a significant economic impact on the agricultural, livestock and natural resources sectors, as well as an impact on 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 fire, 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 Lake County Board of Commissioners in August 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 Lake 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 second made by Governor Kotek this calendar year, the first being Jefferson County in late June.