Water Supply Update
4-9-2026 April Water Supply Update
Hood River Basin snowpack was 20% of a normal year on April 5th, after a historically warm winter. Even with close to normal precipitation amounts, this lack of snowpack is already resulting in lower than normal streamflows. The Basin's snowpack traditionally acts as a natural reservoir, providing additional moisture through spring and summer. Early elevation snowpack has already melted out (about 2 months earlier than normal), and higher elevations are not fairing much better.
As a result, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is forecasting Hood River summer streamflows at 75% of normal. Upper tributary streams will have earlier and steeper reductions in streamflow.
You can read the most recent NRCS Water Supply Outlook Report here: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/oregon/oregon-snow-survey/water-supply
And check out Oregon's snow water equivalent here.
Water supply news articles:
https://www.opb.org/article/2026/03/27/oregon-farmers-water-irrigation-summer-droughts/
2-16-2026 Water Supply Forecast for the 2026 Irrigation Season: Early February
As of early February, the Hood River Basin is forecasted to have lower than normal water supplies this summer (~80% of median streamflow). The Basin is considered “abnormally dry” (US Drought Monitor), with January precipitation 49% of median. And, more importantly for summer streamflows, the Basin is in a “snow drought”, with snowpack at 26% of median as of February 1st. The Greenpoint SNOTEL site, which is most indicative of Farmers Irrigation District water supplies, was at 18% of median as of February 1st. Snowpack provides critical natural storage to maintain streamflows through the summer. Without a healthy snowpack, streamflows will decrease more quickly in the spring/summer, and will run at lower levels throughout the summer.
The District will continue to provide updates on the water supply, and potential operational impacts, as the season approaches and progresses.
Additional articles discussing water supplies:
https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2026/02/were-in-uncharted-territory-5-dire-warnings-from-scientists-about-what-oregons-snow-drought-could-mean-for-the-states-future.html
https://www.opb.org/article/2026/02/11/oregon-record-low-snowpack-is-not-likely-to-recover-scientists-say/
https://www.opb.org/article/2026/02/05/oregons-on-track-to-break-low-snowpack-records-but-theres-still-hope-for-snow/
https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2026/02/oregons-record-snow-drought-could-mean-less-water-more-wildfires.html
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/16/northwest-just-finished-warmest-fall-on-record-scientists-report