Snowpack far below normal, meaning water supply will be tight

By MITCH LIES
Capital Press

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski vowed to help Klamath Basin farmers and ranchers survive this year's looming drought after meeting in Klamath Falls March 9 with government officials, tribal leaders and farmers.

But, he said, there are limits to what the state can do.

"If there is one thing I believe now, we will not be able to provide all the water ranchers and farmers need in the basin," The Associated Press quoted Kulongoski saying.

Drought-like conditions in the Klamath Basin are placing in jeopardy farmers' access to irrigation water this spring and summer.

Snowpack in the basin is 67 percent of normal, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Precipitation for the 2009-10 water year is just 3.81 inches, 4.17 inches below normal for this time of year.

The area is categorized as in a moderate drought under the National Weather Service's drought monitor.

"A good, hard rainfall could help fill reservoirs," said Ryan Sandler, a meteorologist for the weather service in Medford. But, he said, it's hard to play catch-up in the spring, given that 80 percent of the basin's snowpack typically has been established by March 1.

Kulongoski directed the Oregon Water Resources Department to prepare to issue emergency drought permits and to approve emergency water transfers if Klamath County officials request a state drought declaration.

Emergency drought permits expedite water transfer and well drilling approvals.

"It gives us the green light to move very quickly to meet these water needs," OWRD Director Phil Ward said.

Kulongoski also instructed the Oregon Department of Agriculture to provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers and to work with USDA officials on securing a federal disaster declaration if the governor requests it.

"We're making sure that if folks have questions (regarding drought program assistance) we can help them get answers," ODA Director Katy Coba said.

A federal disaster declaration would provide farmers and ranchers who have federal crop insurance access to assistance programs. The deadline to sign up for the insurance has passed, according to the department.

"Based on what we know today, I suspect that both a state and federal disaster declaration will be needed," Kulongoski said.

State officials from California and Oregon, federal officials, tribal leaders and others last month signed a Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement four years in the making. The agreement calls for the removal of four upper Klamath River dams and calls for farmers and ranchers to leave some water in-stream in exchange for water delivery assurances.

The agreement needs congressional approval, however, and won't be implemented in time to address this year's crisis, said Greg Addington, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association. Klamath Basin farmers need to know as soon as possible how much water they'll get this year, and when they'll get it, Addington said.

Klamath water users were shut off from irrigation water in 2001, leading to severe crop and livestock losses.

The basin is home to three fish protected under the Endangered Species Act: the Lost River sucker, the shortnose sucker and coho salmon.