As temperatures climb into the upper 90s and wildfire smoke periodically blankets the region, Jefferson County's agricultural community is grinding through what may be the toughest water year since 2015. State data shows that 94% of Jefferson County is covered by severe drought, with the remainder classified under moderate drought — leaving virtually no part of the county untouched.

Governor Tina Kotek declared a drought emergency for Jefferson County in late April 2026, as part of a broader order covering six Oregon counties. The declaration was intended to expedite state assistance and help prioritize water resources, but for farmers already facing tight irrigation supplies, the relief has felt slow to arrive.

A Season Built on a Thin Snowpack

The roots of this year's crisis stretch back to winter. Oregon experienced one of its warmest winters on record in 2025-26, resulting in historically low snowpack across the Cascades and high desert mountains that feed Jefferson County's irrigation systems. The Oregon Water Resources Department warned early in the year that conditions were tracking similarly to 2015 — a year when drought emergencies were eventually declared in 25 of Oregon's 36 counties.

For ranchers and farmers in the Madras area and throughout the county, that has translated into reduced allocations from irrigation districts, dried-up stock ponds, and tough decisions about what to plant — or whether to fallow fields entirely this season.

Irrigation Districts Under Pressure

Jefferson County is home to several irrigation districts, including the North Unit Irrigation District, which delivers water to more than 55,000 acres of farmland. When snowpack is weak and reservoir storage is low heading into summer, those deliveries get squeezed. Farmers with junior water rights are typically first to see curtailments.

  • Pasture and hay production are among the hardest-hit sectors this season
  • Cattle ranchers have faced higher feed costs as hay supplies tighten regionwide
  • Vegetable and specialty crop growers have had to make difficult irrigation tradeoff decisions

What Comes Next

With no significant precipitation in the forecast through mid-August and fire season now in full swing, conditions are unlikely to improve before fall. State and county officials are encouraging agricultural producers to document losses and reach out to the USDA Farm Service Agency to explore disaster assistance programs that may be available under the drought declaration.

Residents and landowners can also contact Jefferson County's OSU Extension Service for drought management resources and guidance on water-efficient practices. The drought isn't just a farming story — it's shaping fire risk, water availability for rural residents, and the economic outlook for a county whose identity is deeply tied to the land.