Jefferson County is deep into one of the most difficult agricultural summers in recent memory, with 94 percent of the county classified under severe drought conditions and the remainder under moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The conditions have been building all year. Historically low winter snowpack, one of the warmest winters on record in Oregon, and years of precipitation deficits converged to set the stage for what state water officials describe as conditions comparable to the severe drought of 2015.

Governor's Drought Declaration in Effect

Governor Tina Kotek declared a drought emergency for Jefferson County earlier this year under Executive Order 26-07, grouping it with Crook, Grant, Jackson, Morrow, and Wallowa counties. The declaration directs state agencies to coordinate and prioritize drought assistance to affected regions, and can help unlock expedited water rights reviews and emergency livestock programs.

For Jefferson County's farming and ranching community — which relies heavily on irrigation from the Deschutes River system and area reservoirs — the drought has meant reduced water allocations, dried-up pastures, and difficult decisions about herd size heading into fall.

Rangeland Takes a Hit

The visible toll is hard to miss across the county. Pastures that would typically carry cattle through late summer are browned out weeks ahead of schedule. Hay prices have risen as local supply tightens and producers compete for feed from outside the region.

The drought stress is also directly tied to the county's escalating wildfire risk. The same dry, cured grasses that strain livestock operations become ready fuel for fires like the Round Butte Fire, which ignited August 1 and has already burned more than 1,000 acres of Crooked River National Grassland and private land west of Madras.

Water Rights and Irrigation Curtailments

Water managers with the Oregon Water Resources Department have been monitoring flows carefully throughout the season. In drought years, senior water rights holders are generally protected while junior rights face curtailment — a dynamic that can create significant tension and financial hardship for newer agricultural operations in the county.

Farmers with questions about their water rights status or drought assistance programs can contact the Oregon Water Resources Department or reach out to the Jefferson County Extension Service for guidance on drought management strategies.

Looking Ahead

With near-record heat forecast for this week and no significant precipitation in the outlook through mid-August, conditions are unlikely to improve in the near term. Farmers and ranchers are urged to have evacuation plans in place for livestock and to stay current on fire weather watches and warnings from the National Weather Service.

State and county drought assistance resources are available through the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Jefferson County government website.