Water Resources Department Drought Watch

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Water Resources Department

Drought Watch

Overview

Current Conditions in Oregon

Water Resources Department's Role

Water Conservation

Water Availability Committee of Oregon

Water Rights Application Forms

Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Initiatives

Related Documents

Overview

On this page and associated links you will find data and other information concerning the availability of water in Oregon for the current year. During dry times there is information from watermasters concerning their specific districts, as well as links to other agencies and local governments. "Near real time" links provide water levels and flow data for particular streams and rivers.

Users are invited to send questions about the use of this website, and suggestions for making it more useful, to webmaster@wrd.state.or.us.

Thank you for your interest in Oregon's most precious natural resource!

For a brief summary of the drought declaration process and mitigation tools available, click here.


Current Conditions in Oregon

Statewide Summary: There is currently no statewide summary provided by the Water Availability Committee of Oregon. Check back for the next scheduled meeting information. (Image courtesy of Natural Resources Conservation Service) Current Conditions Links: Average Daily Streamflow Conditions Plots for Oregon USGS time series plot of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow. City of Portland Water Bureau Drinking water and conservation information. Columbia River Water Management Reports USGS monthly reports containing comparative flow tables for Oregon since 1999. Condition Summary Oregon Climate Service (OCS) national drought summary. Current Conditions National Weather Service (NWS) nationwide weather conditions. Current Snow / Precipitation Data (updates by basin) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) SNOTEL data. Daily Fire Updates (available in summer) Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Fire Program. Drought Information Center National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Drought and climate conditions information. National Drought Mitigation Center Develop and implement measures to reduce societal vulnerability to drought. Northwest River Forecast Center (interactive) National Weather Service (NWS) river forecasts and data - view specific river level trends. Oregon District Hydrologic Data USGS monthly reports containing water availability data since 1999. Oregon Drought and Fire Conditions Information provided by the Governor's Office. Oregon Water Resources USGS publications, data, and online resources. OWRD Real-time Streamflow Data Locate stream measuring sites around the state that provide near real time data. Streamflow Conditions in Oregon USGS real-time daily streamflow conditions. Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) SWSI basin map or graph. U.S. Drought Monitor Map focuses on broad-scale, nationwide conditions. U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook National Weather Service (NWS) seasonal assessment. Weekly Snowpack and Drought Monitor Update Report Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) nationwide report.


Water Resources Department's Role

Water Resources has three primary mechanisms to help individuals and communities cope with drought: • Emergency Water Use Permits • Temporary Transfers of Water Rights • Use of Existing Right Option/Agreement Click here for more information.

Water Conservation

We can all do our part to lessen the effects of limited water supplies this summer. We can start by conserving the water we use today. Check out the links below for information on how you can save water.
     •  Residential Water Users
     •  Municipal Water Users
     •  Agricultural Water Users
     •  Commercial/Industrial Water Users

The Department has updated our brochures for water conservation and updated and expanded the model water curtailment ordinance. Use and reproduction of these materials is free.

Indoor Water Use

A Guide to Water Conservation

(PDF 249 KB)

Outdoor Water Use

A Guide to Water Conservation

(PDF 298 KB)

How to Produce a

Lawn-Watering Guide

A Guide to Water Conservation

(PDF 390 KB)

Model Water Curtailment Measures for Municipal and Quasi-Municipal Water Utilities (PDF 144 KB)

Click here to visit OSU Extension Service Drought in Oregon website

The Oregon State University Extension Service
has compiled publications and information to help
Oregonians cope with water shortages at home,
in the garden and on the farm. Click here to go
to their website.


Water Availability Committee of Oregon

The Water Availability Committee of Oregon is a subgroup of the Oregon Drought Council and meets on a monthly basis during periods of concern for water availability... more


Water Rights Application Forms

These forms can be filled out online using Adobe Reader (freeware). Use TAB and SHIFT-TAB to navigate between fields. When finished print the form, sign, and mail to Water Resources. Drought Permit Application Forms • Minimum Application Requirements (PDF 16 KB) • Groundwater Application (PDF 52 KB) Map Requirements for Groundwater Use (PDF 12 KB) • Surface Water Application (PDF 49 KB) Map Requirements for Surface Water (PDF 12 KB) • Application Supplement for Drought Emergency Water Use Permit (PDF 14 KB) Temporary Drought Transfer or Substitution Forms • Transfer Application Form (PDF 115 KB) • Evidence of Use Affidavit (PDF 196 KB) • Land Use Form (PDF 113 KB) • Map Requirements (OAR 690-380-3100) (PDF 125 KB) Drought Instream Leases • Temporary Drought Instream Leases (DOC 126 KB) Additional Water Rights (DOC 77 KB) or (PDF 259 KB) Temporary Drought Split Season (DOC 83 KB)


Statutes, Rules, Regulations and Initiatives

Click here for detailed information about rules and initiatives related to drought.