For Jefferson County farmers, the summer of 2026 has been defined by a relentless equation: too much heat, not enough water. As harvest season draws near, growers across the region are contending with reduced irrigation allotments that were set back in March — and the financial consequences are coming into sharper focus.
Cuts Set Early in the Season
The North Unit Irrigation District (NUID) board voted in late March to reduce water allotments for the 2026 season, approving just 1.30 acre-feet per acre from the Deschutes River and 0.65 acre-feet per acre from the Crooked River — well below what many producers depend on to bring a full crop to harvest.
The cuts were driven by a record-low snowpack in the Cascade Range and upper Deschutes Basin heading into the irrigation season, combined with drought conditions that Jefferson County commissioners formally asked Governor Tina Kotek to declare an emergency over in March. The governor's drought declaration helped unlock state and federal support, but it could not conjure water that simply wasn't there.
Mid-Season Reality
Now, with August temperatures regularly exceeding 90 degrees and the Deschutes and Crooked rivers running low, growers are making hard choices about which fields to prioritize and which crops to let go. Hay, potatoes, mint, and wheat — Jefferson County's agricultural backbone — all require consistent water through the growing season.
Some farmers who invested in deficit irrigation strategies earlier in the summer may be better positioned heading into harvest. Others who planted expecting more normal allotments face a tighter margin.
A recent analysis from KLCC public radio found that even in wet years, Central Oregon crops consume a consistent share of diverted water — suggesting that reduced allotments in drought years cut more deeply into yields than water managers have historically acknowledged.
What's Ahead
The irrigation season for most NUID patrons typically runs through October. How the late-season allocation plays out will depend on river flows, which are closely tied to upstream reservoir storage and late-summer precipitation — neither of which is expected to provide significant relief in August.
NUID is also actively recruiting for a full-time Ditchrider and Maintenance position, suggesting the district is preparing for ongoing operational demands through the close of the season and beyond.
Farmers with questions about their allotments or delivery schedules can contact the North Unit Irrigation District office at northunitidor.gov or by calling the district directly. The Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District also has resources for producers navigating drought-year management at jeffswcd.org.