Drought conditions projected to persist


Low river flows, reservoir levels cause concern for resource managers.

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BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR

As the summer officially came to a close earlier this week, resource managers are monitoring and hoping for a rainy fall and winter.

The Army Corps of Engineers isn’t yet reporting huge problems, but they could arise should the drought continue — which some data suggest is likely.

The “Streamflow conditions by basin” report from the Oregon Water Resources Department shows water levels down statewide through August of this year, ranging from the North Coast’s basin, at 82 percent of average, to the Owyhee basin and Goose-and-Summer lakes basin, measuring 32 and 38 percent of their respective averages.

The Willamette basin, which includes the Santiam, Pudding, Luckiamute and Yamhill rivers among its tributaries, measures in at just under 70 percent through August.

(SOURCE: Statesman Journal)

State officials also warned that the fire season should continue into the fall months until there is significant rainfall.

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