For Jefferson County's ranchers, irrigators, and dryland farmers, the summer of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the hardest in memory — and there is little relief in sight before the season ends.

Governor Tina Kotek declared a drought emergency in Jefferson County in late April through Executive Order 26-07, joining five other counties in what has become the state's second drought declaration of the year. In total, nine of Oregon's 36 counties are now under drought emergency status — a stark reflection of the winter that wasn't.

The Numbers Are Stark

According to the Governor's declaration, 94% of Jefferson County is in severe drought, with the remainder of the county in moderate drought. Water year-to-date temperatures in Jefferson County are running well above normal, while snowpack — the primary driver of summer water supply in the region — was historically low heading into the warm season.

Oregon's 2025–26 winter tied with 1934 as the warmest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That unprecedented warmth starved the mountains of snowpack, and by summer the consequences are being felt from the Deschutes River Basin to high-desert rangelands.

"This drought is probably one of the most severe, if not the worst on record," Craig Horrell, managing director of the Central Oregon Irrigation District, said earlier this year.

What It Means for Local Agriculture

Jefferson County's economy is deeply tied to ranching, hay production, mint farming, and irrigated grain crops — all of which depend on reliable water supplies. This summer, that reliability has been tested:

  • Irrigation districts across the region warned patrons earlier this season to prepare for tighter allocations if hot, dry weather continued — and it has.
  • Pasture conditions have deteriorated for ranchers, forcing some to reduce herd sizes or purchase supplemental feed at elevated prices.
  • Hay and mint crops are facing shortened growing seasons and reduced yields in some areas.
  • Dryland rangeland — already dry from the fire season — has seen dramatically reduced forage availability.

State Assistance Available

The drought declaration unlocks emergency tools for affected landowners and water users through the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), including expedited review processes for water transfers and emergency water use authorizations. Ranchers and irrigators experiencing acute shortages are encouraged to contact OWRD directly to explore what options may be available.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture and USDA Farm Service Agency also have programs that may assist producers facing drought-related losses. Jefferson County ranchers and farmers can contact the local USDA Service Center in Madras for information on emergency loan programs and disaster assistance.

The Long View

Water managers and state officials say drought conditions in Jefferson County are not expected to improve in the near term. With fire season at its peak and the region's reservoirs and streams still running well below average, the agriculture community faces continued pressure through at least early fall.

County residents interested in tracking current drought conditions can visit drought.gov/states/oregon/county/jefferson for weekly updates from the U.S. Drought Monitor.