As October settles over Jefferson County's fields and ranches, farmers and ranchers are taking stock of what has been one of the most water-constrained growing seasons in recent memory — a year defined by drought, reduced irrigation allotments, and the constant arithmetic of doing more with less.

Jefferson County entered 2026 already gripped by drought. By spring, 94% of the county was classified under severe drought, with the remainder in moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In April, Governor Tina Kotek issued a drought emergency declaration covering Jefferson County alongside Crook, Grant, Jackson, Morrow, and Wallowa counties — the second drought declaration statewide in 2026 — unlocking state resources and prioritizing assistance to affected producers.

North Unit Slashes Allotments

The North Unit Irrigation District, which serves thousands of acres of productive cropland across Jefferson County, approved significantly reduced water allotments for the 2026 season at its March board meeting. Farmers received:

  • 1.30 acre-feet per acre from the Deschutes River
  • 0.65 acre-feet per acre from the Crooked River

Both figures are well below typical allotments. For potato growers, grain farmers, grass seed producers, and beef ranchers — the backbone of Jefferson County's agricultural economy — those numbers forced hard choices: fallow certain fields, shift crop mixes, purchase supplemental water, or cut livestock numbers.

Adaptation Amid Adversity

Many producers found ways to adapt. Crops planted later in the season or those naturally less water-intensive showed better resilience as the year wore on. A return to more moderate temperatures in September and early October has offered some relief as harvest concludes across the county.

The USDA Farm Service Agency's Jefferson County office coordinated with producers on drought loss assistance programs throughout the season. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has also been planning a Jefferson County Local Work Group Meeting to discuss conservation strategies and water planning headed into 2027.

Infrastructure Investment for the Long Term

Longer-term relief may come through a major infrastructure modernization already underway. The North Unit Irrigation District is pursuing a pipeline project that will install 27.5 miles of gravity-pressurized, buried pipe, upgrade 153 water turnouts, and construct four retention ponds — all designed to dramatically reduce conveyance losses and deliver irrigation water more reliably and efficiently to district farms.

With Western water researchers increasingly warning that major river systems face synchronized drought risks due to shifting climate patterns, Jefferson County's investment in infrastructure efficiency could prove critical in the decades ahead.

Resources for Producers

Producers with questions about drought assistance, conservation programs, or 2027 water planning can contact:

  • USDA Farm Service Agency — Jefferson County Office, Madras
  • North Unit Irrigation District — 2024 N.W. Beech St., Madras, OR 97741
  • Oregon Water Resources Department drought assistance information at oregon.gov/owrd