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City reports full reservoirs, higher streamflows and start of irrigation season
Summary
City staff reported near-full Ochoco Reservoir, above‑average Crooked River inflow, and that irrigation season has begun; Public Works noted ongoing spring projects and hiring updates for dispatch and evidence technician positions.
City management reported robust water conditions and multiple spring operational updates at the Prineville City Council meeting.
City Manager Forrester told the council that Ochoco Reservoir — with a stated capacity of 44,000 acre‑feet — was being brought “right up to the tippy top,” with staff reporting levels about “42 5 to 42 7” (as spoken in the meeting). Forrester gave specific flow figures: the Ochoco Canal was running about 95 cubic feet per second (CFS) compared with about 53 CFS at the same date last year; outflow through town was about 39 CFS versus 13 CFS last year; Crooked River inflow was reported at 1,139 CFS compared with 677 CFS the prior year. Forrester said irrigation season officially started Monday and that reservoir management was reducing outflow from earlier peaks.
On staffing and operations Forrester said the police department had recent officer interviews with promising candidates, that a new evidence technician had been onboarded, and that dispatch interviews continue; he noted the city’s IT staff support connectivity for police and county partners. On Meadowlakes, management added 13 golf carts acquired by sealed bid from a Portland course and said a handicap golf cart will arrive to improve accessibility.
Forrester framed the water update as good news for irrigators and farmers, saying snowpack remains high in some drainages and the city is past the most acute flood threat pending weather changes. Council asked no follow-up questions in the transcript segment that covered the update.
