Oregon Summer Water, Streamflow, Reservoir Forecast

Remember the water wars of summer’s past?

Where thousands of fish died in Klamath County and farmers and ranchers were angry because no one had enough water to go around?

Or how about the year Oregon’s Detroit Lake was so low that boat docks sat on dirt–instead of in the water?

I remember do live reports–from the lake bed around this dock!

Now, with a much drier than normal 3 1/2 month start to 2013 in Oregon, I’m getting emails and messages on facebook asking if we’re in for more trouble and water shortages. Luckily for all of us, the National Weather Service in Portland has put together a great compilation of resources so you know what to expect this summer–regardless of whether you want to water ski on a reservoir, fish in a stream or keep the crops growing.

I hope this helps answer your questions.

WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR 330 PM PST THU APR 11 2013 Oregon Water Supply and Spring Flood Potential Outlook as of April 11th, 2013 The Oregon water supply for the coming spring and summer is forecast to be near-normal for northwest Oregon and portions of northeast Oregon, and below-normal for much of southwest, central and eastern Oregon, especially south-central and southeast basins. Water supply forecasts are based on current snowpack conditions and observed precipitation thus far this winter. Below-normal precipitation January through March has pushed several Oregon basins closer to drought conditions. Not surprisingly, the potential for spring snowmelt flooding in Oregon as of early April is below-normal. Note that springtime (May-June) flooding is typically limited to basins east of the Cascades and is usually caused by a combination of rainfall and snowmelt. Read the rest of the Oregon Water Supply forecast for 2013 here.