Morrow County declares drought emergency
By Griffin Beach on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HEPPNER – The Morrow County Board of Commissioners declared a state of drought emergency for the county at their Wednesday meeting. This allows the county to ask the governor to issue an executive order declaring a drought emergency for the county. If the governor issues that order the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) can offer certain tools to water rights holders in the county.
A water conditions report from OWRD shows that close to half of the county is in a D-0, or abnormally dry condition. The remainder of the county is D-1 or a moderate drought as of June 24. It says that currently Morrow County is at less than 25 percent of average precipitation from data taken June 2 through June 15, and that the average temperature taken on those same dates is four to eight degrees above the average.
The commissioners approved the declaration unanimously. Commissioner Gus Peterson, who is a farmer, declared a potential conflict of interest before the discussion. He says this was done after consulting with the state ethics commission, stating that this action could potentially result in emergency grant funding for which he would be eligible.
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners has issued similar declarations for the county every year since 2020.
