Gov. Tina Kotek declared a drought emergency for Lake County in Southern Oregon on Sept. 12 and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region.

This is the fifth consecutive year a drought declaration has been issued for Lake County, which also had droughts in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

“We are currently getting some moisture from recent storms but it will take a lot to reduce the drought conditions we are currently experiencing,” said Lake County Commissioner Barry Shullanberger, in a Sept. 17 email.

Ranchers in Lake County have been hauling water to cattle on desert permits since mid July, Shullanberger said.

“Lake County is only 6% irrigated. So everywhere there is not irrigation, it is really dry,” he added.

The Silver Lake Irrigation District only had 38% fill in Thompson Reservoir from snow runoff this spring, Shullanberger said. “The irrigation district had just enough to turn on water just to shut it off,” he said.

Help requested

The Lake County Board of Commissioners declared a local disaster and requested a state disaster declaration in an Aug. 6 resolution. Commissioners said the county’s farms and ranches had suffered widespread and severe economic damage, potential injuries and loss of property from drought.

“Extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate suffering of people and livestock and to protect or mitigate economic loss, and to be responsive to the threat of wildfires,” the commissioners wrote.

Drought also is expected to lead to pasture shortages, decreases in feed production, a shortened growing season and decreased water supplies for farmers and ranchers, commissioners added.

Second declaration

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Lake County has been in persistent drought since July 9.

Below normal precipitation, above normal temperatures, streamflow and soil moisture conditions further indicate persistent drought conditions in the county, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Forecast water supply conditions and precipitation levels are not expected to meaningfully improve.

The drought declaration unlocks several emergency tools, including assistance to local water users. The declaration also allows the Oregon Water Resources Department to expedite review processes and reduce fee schedules.

This is Kotek’s second drought declaration of 2024, following Jefferson County in June.

Jefferson County has experienced below average precipitation since 2018 and faces persistent drought.