Douglas County issues Emergency Drought Order

Douglas County, Ore., — On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Douglas County Public Works Director, Scott Adams, requested and received approval from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners to declare an Emergency Drought Order for Douglas County at the Board of Commissioners Weekly Business Meeting.  The Commissioners determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of citizens and livestock and to protect or mitigate economic loss, as well as be responsive to the threat of wildfires.  Click here to read the Emergency Drought Order.

Douglas County is the third county to declare an emergency drought order in Oregon this year.  Oregon’s Governor has already declared State of Drought Emergencies in Lincoln and Baker Counties.  The order formally declaring a drought in Douglas County has been officially recorded, and Douglas County has submitted a signed copy of the order along with an urgent request letter to Oregon’s Governor, requesting an official executive order from the State for an Emergency Drought Declaration for Douglas County pursuant to ORS 526.740.  The Emergency Drought order is a direct result of severe and continued drought conditions, and that such an emergency threatens the availability of essential services and jeopardizes the peace, health, and welfare of the people of Douglas County.  The Governor’s executive order will allow increased flexibility in how water is managed to ensure that limited supplies are used as efficiently as possible and authorize state agencies (including the Water Resources Commission) to expedite water management tools to users who would not otherwise have access.

The order cited that Douglas County agricultural, livestock, forest products industries, and related businesses are experiencing economic hardship and potential serious injury and losses resulting from extreme weather conditions within the county.  The above conditions will result in the loss of economic stability, decreased feed, and pasture production, shortened growing season and decreased water supplies for Douglas County agricultural, livestock, and vineyard producers.  In addition, the multi-year cumulative drought has resulted in decreased fuel moisture and early onset fire danger. 

As of July 10, 2025, the Oregon Water Resources Department Water Conditions Report states that Douglas County stream flows were 63% of average for the month of June 2025.  The report also states that soil moisture levels are very low.  The most recent three-month outlook prepared by NOAA Climate Prediction Center indicates “conditions are likely to continue or worsen, as probabilities favor above average temperatures and near average precipitation.”  Also as of July 10, 2025, U. S. Drought Monitor for Oregon illustrates the majority of Douglas County is already in Moderate Drought.  Further, the South Umpqua River and multiple smaller tributaries have already been regulated by the State Watermaster in favor of senior rights, and it is anticipated that further reductions will take place in the weeks ahead.  Due to dry soil and low stream flows, basin water managers expect to regulate surface water right users much earlier and to older priority dates than normal.  The lack of surface water resources will negatively impact consumptive water users including irrigators, industrial, and domestic users resulting in economic losses and hardship.  Groundwater resources will also be affected by a lack of sufficient recharge resulting in reduced spring and well water supplies for household uses.  The extended weather forecast for Douglas County projects higher than normal temperatures, and below average precipitation. 

Although the drought declaration has not resulted in any residential use restrictions, it is a good reminder that water conservation is always a good idea, and that fire danger is already high in Douglas County right now.