Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced drought emergencies in 8 additional counties Friday, including Lane. Many reservoirs in Lane County are only half full.
The governor's drought declaration also covers Grant, Jackson, Josephine, Morrow, Umatilla, Wasco and Deschutes counties. Brown says due to low snow pack and low water conditions the majority of the state is "parched".
Scott Clemans is with the US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District.
Clemans: "In the Willamette Basin, our 13 reservoirs collectively are only about half full right now and usually by mid-to late May those reservoirs should all be completely full."
Clemans says the low water will likely affect recreation in some reservoirs.
Clemans: "A great many of the boat ramps at our reservoirs are not going to be useable at all this summer."
The addition of 8 more counties in drought emergencies brings the total to 15 in Oregon.