drought

Amidst the amber waves of wheat changing to stubble, green corn leaves to brown, and the fields of potatoes and onions pulled from the ground, the golden crop of canola has changed to stems and is prepared for harvest as well.

Governor Tina Kotek has issued two more drought declarations in Central Oregon.  The emergency declarations for Deschutes and Grant counties clear the way for state coordination of resources in an area now in its fourth year of drought.  ...

There’s reason for optimism, and reason for concern, as wheat farmers across Idaho prepare for another growing season.  Britany Hurst Marchant, Executive Director of the Idaho Wheat Commission said on the positive side, the Gem state has received a lot of snow this water year.   “Our s...

The Oregon snowpack, and specifically the southern Oregon snowpack, is looking great for this time of year.  According to NRCS-Oregon, the Lake County-Goose Lake Basin is at 147% of average, the Owyhee is 140% of normal snowfall, and the Harney Basin is sitting at 156% of average.  In fact...

It may be cold with snow on the ground, but the U.S. Forest Service is already looking to the fire season ahead.  Oregon’s ongoing drought, more frequent heatwaves and less rain and snow, mean longer and more intense fire seasons.   “The h...

2022 will go into the books as the third-costliest year for weather disasters in U.S. history.  The estimated total economic losses reached $165 billion.  New analysis by American Farm Bureau economists shows extreme weather caused more than $21 billion in crop losses.     A...

When it comes to the snowpack in Washington’s higher elevations, it’s not looking bad; but it’s also not looking fabulous.  That’s how Scott Pattee with NRCS-Washington is describing the statewide snowpack, which is sitting at 99% of average.  Pattee noted while the Northwes...

The Northwest has seen several storms over the past couple of weeks, boosting the snowpack numbers.  But unfortunately, those storms have done very little to address the on-going drought.  Climatologist Zach Hoylman said the Pacific Northwest has seen cooler than average temperatures this winter, helping the region’s snowpack.  But, he was quick to po...

The Northwest remains very dry with two dozen days to go to spring.   According to the latest drought numbers, 92% of Oregon is Abnormally Dry, while 77% of the state is under a D-1, or Moderate Drought, designation.  Both of those figures increased over the past week.  Meanwhile, S...

If drought returns to Klamath County this year, farmers and growers shouldn’t expect assistance from the state.  The Oregon Water Resources Department recently announced if a drought emergency is declared, it is unlikely that Emergency Use Permits for groundwater will be issued.  Better known ...