Drought

Faced with low snowpack, Oregon's nonprofit ski areas Anthony Lakes and Mt. Ashland are funding facility upgrades and summer programs to ensure long-term survival.

A potential "super El Niño" could bring a warmer, wetter winter to the Pacific Northwest, increasing landslide risks and threatening salmon runs and coastal fisheries.

With forecasts calling for another warm winter, concern about a second year of low snowpack arises.

Warm conditions with a mixed precipitation outlook are likely to continue for months.

Willamette Valley reservoirs are less than 48% full. USACE officials are managing water levels after the sixth-driest winter and spring since 1980.

As drought continues, some farmers will likely run out of water before the growing season ends.

Legislative leaders said their focus was to spending on public safety, including drought and wildfire preparedness and response

With 84% of Oregon in a drought, state agencies are providing a water conservation toolkit to help resource-strapped local governments and utilities.

Gov. Tina Kotek approved drought declarations for five more Oregon counties, bringing the 2026 total to 17 as statewide drought conditions hit 87%.

Corps managers say they have already been preparing for the effects of low snowpack after a warm winter in Oregon.

Oregon’s wildfire season started early this year and is expected to last into October, according to state fire experts.

Despite the warmer weather, Oregon boaters are being cautioned about shallow and cold waters.