As summer harvest winds down across Jefferson County’s farm fields, ranchers and growers are tallying the cost of what has been an exceptionally hard year. A historic drought — driven by record-low snowpack, an unusually warm winter, and multi-year precipitation deficits — has left its mark on crops, pastures, and livelihoods from Madras to Metolius.
By April, state data showed 94% of Jefferson County was experiencing severe drought, with the remainder under moderate drought conditions. Governor Tina Kotek issued a formal drought declaration for Jefferson County and five other Oregon counties in late April, unlocking state emergency assistance programs for affected agricultural operations.
Reduced Water Allotments Hit Farms Hard
The North Unit Irrigation District (NUID) — which serves thousands of acres of farmland in Jefferson County’s agricultural heartland — approved significantly reduced water allotments for the 2026 season at its March board meeting. Farmers received just 1.30 acre-feet per acre from the Deschutes River, and 0.65 acre-feet per acre from the Crooked River — well below typical allotments in a normal water year.
Those reductions forced difficult choices. Some growers fallowed fields they would otherwise have planted. Others shifted to lower-water crops or prioritized permanent plantings — orchards and alfalfa — over row crops. Cattle ranchers across the county faced early turnout decisions, dry stock ponds, and high hay prices driven by regional shortages.
Looking Toward Fall and Next Year
As Labor Day approaches and irrigation season nears its end, attention is already turning to what the coming winter will bring. Snowpack in the Cascade headwaters is the single most important variable for next year’s water supply, and after consecutive dry winters, local producers are cautiously watching long-range forecasts.
State water resource officials note that conditions this year are comparable to 2015 — the last time Oregon experienced a widespread snow drought — which triggered years of lingering water rights disputes and infrastructure investment across Central Oregon.
The Jefferson County Farm Bureau and OSU Extension continue to offer resources for producers navigating drought conditions, including guidance on soil health, cover cropping, and emergency livestock programs. Producers seeking assistance can contact the Jefferson County OSU Extension Service at (541) 475-7107.