Drought is expected to worsen
By Terry Murry on Monday, July 12th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – National Weather Service Hydrologist Marilyn Lohmann says the drought is here to stay and could get worse. Right now, this region is divided into D-2 to D-3 conditions, severe to extreme drought. A relatively small area in Central Oregon is in the grips of an exceptional drought.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more expansion of the D-4 exceptional drought up into more portions of northeast Oregon and southeast Washington,” she said.
Livestock producers are taking steps to better manage the dry conditions are putting on their animals. Meanwhile, with wheat yields ranging from low to none, some farmers have just given up.
“There have been a number of reports of farmers just going ahead and plowing under their spring crop and hoping to maybe be able to recoup and start again next fall,” Lohmann said.
Pictured is the latest drought monitor map on July 6. The map is updated weekly.
