Wickiup Reservoir low, affecting irrigation allocation in Oregon
9/12/2019 1:31:37 PM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Deschutes County, OR
Jefferson County, OR
Start Date: 5/1/2019
- End Date: 9/7/2019
Farmers in the North Unit Irrigation District near Madras area left 25 percent to 30 percent of their fields fallow, due to the low level of Wickiup Reservoir, according to the general manager for the district. Wickiup Reservoir was at 11 percent in September and continued to fall, but only started the growing season at 66 percent, a record low for the reservoir at the start of the growing season.
Several years of drought drew down the reservoir, but the Endangered Species Act and required water releases in the spring and fall have also lowered water storage.
The Bend Bulletin (Ore.), Sept. 7, 2019
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