How Oregon’s drought got started, and what it means for you

applegate-lakeThis winter hasn’t been all that dry. But it’s been hot. Most regions of Oregon received normal or near-normal precipitation this winter. Normally, that would set the state up for a summer of healthy streamflows and fully stocked reservoirs. However, warm weather during the winter months meant most of that precipitation fell as rain. Mountains that normally would be piled high with snow remained bare. MORE