Snowpack Shortfall: What a dry winter means for Central Oregon water supply

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon is experiencing one of its driest winters in more than 30 years, leaving the basin with a snowpack that is only 11% of its average. The low levels are expected to cause water curtailments for farmers, river levels, and water users throughout the region this summer.

The dismal snowpack across the Cascades is well below the amount needed to sustain normal summer flows for regional irrigation districts. Water managers are already preparing for a diminished supply as the spring season approaches.

Jeremy Giffin, Deschutes County watermaster, explained that the lack of winter precipitation will directly affect the region's main water source. "What this means is the low snowpack we received this winter is going to translate into lower natural flows of the Deschutes River that the irrigation districts rely on throughout the summer," Giffin said. "So we'll likely see curtailments throughout this irrigation season."

The current basin snowpack is 11% of the average, a figure Giffin said is visible to those visiting the mountains. "Anyone who's been up to Mount Bachelor this season can attest that we have a very low snowpack this year," Giffin said. This snowpack is the primary source for feeding the rivers and reservoirs that serve Central Oregon.

Water managers have already started releases from the Wickiup Reservoir. While these releases will cause river levels to rise in the short term, officials noted that the overall water supply will remain tight. Experts say surface water sources are expected to take the most significant hit from the shortage.

The scarcity of water is expected to create difficult conditions for local agricultural workers. "Irrigators will be working with a diminished supply," Giffin said. "So it's going to be very stressful on the irrigation community this summer." Giffin emphasized the need for regional water conservation to protect remaining resources.

Residents can monitor current water levels and conditions through the Oregon Water Resources Department website at Oregon.gov.

The irrigation season is scheduled to begin April 1.