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.

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 U.S. Department of Agriculture)

 
 
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 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.

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)
 
 

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.

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
 

Drought Permit Application Forms
  

Groundwater Application	[DOC 249 KB]
	[PDF 60 KB]
Surface Water Application	[PDF 60 KB]

 
Temporary Drought Transfer or Substitution Forms

Transfer Application Form	[DOC 405 KB]
	[PDF 1 MB]
Evidence of Use Affidavit	[DOC 127 KB]
	[PDF 34 KB]
Land Use Form	[DOC 139 KB]
	[PDF 326 KB]

 
Drought Instream Leases

Temporary Drought Instream Leases	[DOC 126 KB]
Additional Water Rights	[DOC 77 KB]
	[PDF 259 KB]
Temporary Drought Split Season	[DOC 83 KB]

 
Schedule of Fees for Drought Applications        [PDF 12 KB] 

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

Drought Declaration and Mitigation Tools (PDF 113 KB)
Describes state and federal drought declaration process.
 
National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC)
Develop and implement measures to reduce societal vulnerability to drought.
 
Oregon Climate Service
Oregon weather forecast information, observations, climate data, and satellite images.
 
U.S. Drought Monitor website
Current drought information from the National Drought Mitigation Center.
 
 
 

Contact Your Local Watermaster  for More Information:   Watermasters in Oregon