| 2005 Monthly Update - Drought Conditions |
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| July, 2005 |
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The rain this spring has delayed the need for water use and stream flow has been excellent. However, as warm, dry weather finally gets hear streams are starting to drop off and we are seeing the effects of a dry winter.
The water master in the Upper John Day Basin reports warm weather has returned and area stream flows continue to decline. Instream water rights that can be tracked from the office using telemetry are being met, except for Murderers Creek near Dayville. A small amount of regulation has occurred on Indian Creek, but other area streams have not required regulation to date for deficient stream flows. Early July stream flow readings range from a low of 49 percent of normal for North Fork John Day River near Monument to a high of 106 percent of normal for Murderers Creek near Dayville. Probably our best indicator of overall stream flow conditions in the upper basin would be the mainstem of the John Day River near Service Creek which is at 56 percent of normal.
In the Lower John Day Basin the water master reports stream flow is holding as long as the rain continues. However, dry and warm weather brings an immediate drop in stream flow.
In the Umatilla Basin the Umatilla River was flowing 58 cfs at Pendleton on July 5. This is very similar to 1977 flows. McKay Reservoir has ceased releases of water for fish passage but is continuing releases for irrigators. McKay Reservoir contents are at 32,767 af. The Hudson Bay Improvement Company has no water available to divert from the Walla Walla River. The districts are bypassing water under their agreement with USFWS.
In the Hood River Basin the water master regulated water users back to 1950 on Fifteenmile Creek as of today, 6-24-05. Flows are dropping quickly. Regulation was for senior rights leased instream. This is about 3 weeks earlier than last year, and he is expecting a need to regulate back to 1909 priority dates in early July in favor of more instream leases. Eightmile Creek and Tygh Valley are still ok, and no regulation has been necessary yet. However, it is likely that regulation will be needed in early July. Hood River @ Tucker Bridge near Hood River, OR- is flowing 337 cfs. The average flow is 799 cfs which is based on 45 years of record. Deschutes River @ Moody near Biggs, OR- is flowing 4560 cfs, and has a mean flow of 5247 cfs based on 100 years of record.
Water masters in the Willamette Valley report that, generally, water conditions are nearly normal. Flow has dropped off some with drier weather and some regulation of users has been necessary.
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