Umatilla County declares drought as snowpack falls below normal

County emergency manager says more than half the county is in severe drought, prompting call for state of emergency declaration

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners has declared a county-wide drought after a drier than normal winter, with more than half the county experiencing severe drought conditions. County emergency manager Sage Delong cited low snowpack levels, reduced soil moisture, and uncertainty around spring runoff as key factors behind the declaration. The drought declaration could pave the way for a state of emergency declaration, which would unlock additional resources and funding to help farmers, ranchers, and emergency management in the county.

Why it matters

Umatilla County is a major agricultural region, and the drought declaration highlights the growing challenges facing farmers and ranchers in the area due to climate change and weather variability. The declaration could help the region access critical state and federal resources to mitigate the impacts of the drought.

The details

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half of Umatilla County is currently experiencing severe drought conditions, with the eastern side of the county being the hardest hit. County emergency manager Sage Delong cited low snowpack levels, which are 15-45% below median, as a key factor behind the drought declaration. This could lead to less water available for irrigation and potentially limit municipal water supplies, as well as exacerbate wildfire conditions.

  • The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners declared the county-wide drought on March 4, 2026.
  • The National Weather Service has indicated that precipitation across the region has been below normal, contributing to the reduced soil moisture and uncertainty around spring runoff conditions.

The players

Sage Delong

The Umatilla County emergency manager who recommended the drought declaration to the Board of Commissioners.

Dan Dorran

The Umatilla County Commissioner and Board Chair who said the declaration will allow for federal funding for agricultural producers and increased state agency partnership.

JR Cook

The founder and director of the Northeast Oregon Water Association, who said the declaration will make it easier to transfer water from the Columbia River to lessen impacts on the region's groundwater system.

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What they’re saying

“These conditions persist despite recent precipitation and reflect an ongoing seasonal deficit impacting soil moisture, runoff potential, and water supply outlook.”

— Sage Delong, Umatilla County Emergency Manager (eastoregonian.com)

“The declaration just makes it, in a short water year, easier and quicker for (the state) to get the water we have to the most valuable crops.”

— JR Cook, Founder and Director, Northeast Oregon Water Association (eastoregonian.com)

“If we did not have those this year, we'd be in really bad trouble.”

— JR Cook, Founder and Director, Northeast Oregon Water Association (eastoregonian.com)

What’s next

The governor is expected to decide on declaring a state of emergency in Umatilla County within the next two weeks, which would unlock additional state and federal resources to help farmers, ranchers, and emergency management in the region.

The takeaway

The drought declaration in Umatilla County highlights the growing challenges facing agricultural communities in the Pacific Northwest due to climate change and weather variability. While the region has been working to build a more resilient water system, the current drought conditions are still likely to have a significant impact on farmers and ranchers, underscoring the need for continued investment in sustainable water management practices.