Saving Water in
Oregon
Nicknamed the "Webfoot State," Oregon has a reputation for having an abundance
of water. Major rivers weave through the state, such as the Columbia,
Willamette, and Snake Rivers. Oregon's water supply has experienced increased
pressure from a growing state population and several years of drought. With
decreased winter precipitation and snowmelt, the water levels of rivers and other
sources of freshwater in Oregon have dropped.
SOURCES OF WATER
•	Oregon relies on surface water for 68 percent of its
freshwater withdrawals and ground water for the
remaining 32 percent.
•	The Cascade Mountains split Oregon into two
distinct climates: the arid eastern region and wetter
western region, which includes the coast.
•	The western mountainous region can receive more
than 200 inches of precipitation per year, while the
eastern region can receive less than eight inches.
Oregon's annual average is 28 inches.
•	The Columbia River Basalt Group, which was
formed by ancient lava flows, contains an extensive
network of aquifers under northern Oregon that
help store and supply water. These aquifers serve
as a primary residential water source to many
communities and provide irrigation for agriculture.
SUPPLY ISSUES
•	Since surface water sources are fed by rainfall and
snowpack from the mountains, reduced
precipitation often leads to water shortages—
especially during the summer months, when the
state receives little rainfall.
•	In 2015, 60 percent of snowpack measurement
sites were snow-free or at record-low levels for the
first time by mid-winter. Snowpack dropped 60 to
90 percent below normal accumulations in the
western region and 30 to 80 percent below normal
accumulations in the eastern region.
•	The Clackamas, Hood, Chetco, and Illinois Rivers
showed record low readings from decreased
snowmelt in 2015. In addition, several southern
Oregon reservoirs had little or no remaining
Drought conditions have caused water levels in Oregon's
Detroit Lake Reservoir to consistently decline over the
years, as The Oregonian photographs highlight the
difference between 2010 and 2015.
storage. For example, Warm Springs Reservoir ran
dry in 2015, with its storage at 0 percent of
capacity, and Owyhee Reservoir storage was at 1
percent of capacity.
From 2010 to 2014, Oregon's population rose 3.6
percent and is predicted to grow by more than 40
percent of the 2014 population, or to nearly 5.6
million people, by 2050.
The Oregon Water Resources Department
estimates that annual demand for water will, in turn,
grow to about 3.4 trillion gallons by 2050, up from 3
trillion gallons today.
Oregon's rising population has dramatically
increased groundwater demand in many cities and
towns, and in some locations, the aquifers can no
longer sustain development. For example, aquifers
in 12 areas of the Willamette Valley—one of the
most populous areas of Oregon—have been
completely withdrawn, leaving only enough water
for minimal irrigation or fire protection
PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSlTEwww.epa.gov/watersense EMAlLwatersense@epa.gov
A rQA EPA-832-F-16-002
WtlV"\ May 2016

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Saving Water in Oregon
WATER USE CONCERNS
•	in September 2015, the governor declared a
drought emergency in 25 Oregon counties.
•	In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
estimated that 84 percent of topsoil and subsoil
were short or very short of moisture; 67 percent of
pastures and rangelands were in poor to very poor
condition.
•	Statewide salmon, trout, steelhead, and sturgeon
populations have declined as a result of warmer
temperatures and drought.
•	In order to reduce stress experienced by native fish
populations, the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife prohibited afternoon fishing on all state
streams, as well as fishing at any time in the
Willamette River downstream of Willamette Fails in
2015.
WHAT ARE OREGONIANS DOING TO SAVE WATER?
Many municipalities, utilities, and businesses in Oregon
are partners with WaterSense®, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency program that offers people a simple
way to identify products and homes that use less water
and perform well. Some notable water conservation
efforts by partners include the following:
•	The Regional Water Providers Consortium, which
consists of 21 water providers in the Portland
metropolitan area, collaborates on regional water
supply plans and water conservation efforts. The
consortium promotes water-efficient practices and
WaterSense labeled products through broadcast,
print, and online channels.
•	The Portland Water Bureau helps its customers
save water and energy by offering an assortment of
free kits and resources, including home water audit
Abnormally Dry
Moderate Drought
Severe Drought
I Extreme Drought
I Exceptional Drought
In October 2015, more than 67 percent of Oregon was
experiencing extreme drought. (Source: U.S. Drought
Monitor)
kits with toilet leak detection tablets and drip
gauges; water conservation and energy saver kits
with water- and energy-efficient showerheads and
faucet aerators; and a guide to help homeowners
choose native plants that require little to no
supplemental watering. The bureau also conducts
free commercial water efficiency surveys to help
industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities
save water.
• The City of Bend, Oregon, helps homeowners save
water outdoors with its free sprinkler inspection
program. During the inspection, a professionally
trained auditor will conduct a visual inspection of the
system and test it to determine how well it is
applying water to the yard. After the inspection, the
homeowner receives a customized watering
schedule and recommendations to improve the
sprinkler system's effectiveness and efficiency.
For more information, visit www.conserveh2o.org and
www. o reg o n. g o v/owrd/pa g es/wr/d ro ug ht. aspx.
References available by request. Contact watersense(a)eDa.aov for additional information.

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