Water supply outlook continues to worsen across Oregon
April 8, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) released the latest Oregon water supply outlook as of April 1st, revealing the significance of the worsening snowfall and snow water equivalent (SWE) deficits across Oregon.
Their recent report states, “As of April 1st, statewide snow water equivalent set a new record low for the SNOTEL record, and for the longer snow course record dating back 98 years surpassing the winter of 1977 and 2015. Early melt out has occurred at many SNOTEL stations across the state. For example, Cold Springs Camp and Three Creeks Meadow SNOTEL stations in the Cascades melted out 64 and 69 days earlier than normal and Wolf Creek SNOTEL station in the Blue Mountains 47 days earlier than normal. Many SNOTEL stations with remaining snow pack in the Cascade and Blue Mountains and Steens Mountain are reporting snow water equivalents at or near record lows most notably at many higher elevations statewide, which is concerning since these locations are important contributors to spring and summer streamflow.”
The report goes on to state that, “As of April 1st statewide snow water equivalent (SWE) is the lowest on record for the SNOTEL network dating back to 1981 at many SNOTEL stations and snow courses reported at or near record snow water equivalence as of April 1st. Some of these records date back nearly 90 years. Examples include the Crater Lake National Park headquarters reporting its lowest snow water equivalent in 82 years.”