SISTERS, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners approved a drought emergency declaration for the Three Sisters Irrigation District. Irrigation district managers made the request after seeing low snow pack in the Three Sisters Mountain area which feeds Whychus Creek. Currently, the mountains have 1/3" of snow-water content; typically, it has 17 to 19 inches. 

Nathan Garibay, Deschutes County Emergency Services Manager, tells KBND News, "We will send that request up to the state for declaration. If approved by the state, it recognizes that at least a portion of the area is going to be adversely affected by low snow pack, and that there will be some economic damages as well to crops and livestock."

He says everyone is in for a dry summer, but the declaration is necessary for Three Sisters. "I think clearly Three Sisters Irrigation District is doing everything they can to manage their water resources. I think this will assist them in meeting some obligations, as well as ensuring that they'll become eligible to apply for any programs that become available through the state or potentially through the federal government."

A state decision is expected following the next drought council meeting on May 14th. If approved, it would go on to the Governor for her signature.