Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drought topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wasco County asks governor to declare drought emergency as snowpack, rainfall fall far below average
Summary
Emergency Manager Sheridan McClellan asked the board to adopt a resolution requesting Governor Tina Kotek declare a state drought emergency for Wasco County, citing Mount Hood snowpack well below average, only six inches of 2026 rainfall to date, and local agricultural impacts; the board approved Resolution 26-008 unanimously.
Emergency Manager Sheridan McClellan urged the Wasco County Board of Commissioners to adopt Resolution 26-008 asking Governor Tina Kotek to declare a state drought emergency for the county. McClellan cited multi-year climate impacts and unusually low winter snowpack on Mount Hood: Timberline recorded 297 inches compared with a 409-inch average, and Mount Hood Meadows tracked 121 inches against a 332-inch average. He also reported only six inches of regional rainfall in 2026 to date.
McClellan told the board that the drought is already affecting agriculture and livestock, estimating impacts to 40,000 acres of wheat, 450 acres of hay and about 7,500 head of cattle and sheep. He said a state declaration would prioritize state agency assistance, expedite emergency water-right permits, and help unlock state resources to complement federal USDA disaster relief. Commissioner Justesen and Chair Hege approved the resolution unanimously.
