Heavy irrigation underway in Baker Valley, Oregon
5/21/2019 6:48:58 PM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Baker County, OR
Start Date: 5/1/2019
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Most irrigable land in the Baker Valley was under irrigation in mid-May as dry conditions took hold after a very wet April. Wind and heat also played roles in drying out the landscape. Farmers and ranchers were irrigating heavily, prompting the Baker Valley Irrigation District to release water from the Phillips Reservoir.
On May 1, the irrigation district increased the water release from Mason Dam from 42 cubic feet per second to 167 cfs to satisfy irrigation demands. During the week of May 13, the volume being released rose to 345 cfs before tapering off slightly to 310 cfs.
Baker City Herald (Ore.), May 17, 2019
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