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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Crank it up: 110 degrees possible today ... Alarm Box: Learn CPR at regular classes in Ashland and you could save a life ... Bernie Sanders backers to view live speech via video in Ashland on Wednesday ... Crank it up: 110 degrees possible today ... Alarm Box: Learn CPR at regular classes in Ashland and you could save a life ... Bernie Sanders backers to view live speech via video in Ashland on Wednesday ... Jackson County declares drought disaster Comment By Vickie Aldous for the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Daily Tidings Posted May. 13, 2015 at 11:50 AM By Vickie Aldous for the Daily Tidings Posted May. 13, 2015 at 11:50 AM » Social News The Jackson County Board of Commissioners has declared a local disaster because of drought conditions. Commissioners also voted unanimously this morning to ask Gov. Kate Brown to declare a drought emergency for all of Jackson County due to severe and continuing drought conditions. Commissioner Colleen Roberts said rain this week isn't enough to ease drought problems. "Even though we have welcome rain this week, the snowpack gives us concern," she said. A drought declaration for Jackson County allows for emergency water use permits, temporary transfers of water rights, preferred use of water rights for human consumption and other steps, according to Jackson County officials. "We obviously can't create water in a drought, but we can try to help," said Larry Menteer, southwest region manager for the Oregon Water Resources Department. Although total precipitation — including rain and snow — for the water year is at 89 percent of average, snowpack in the Rogue Basin is just 13 percent of average, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics for the water year that ended April 28. Local irrigation districts rely on gradually melting snow to supply reservoirs through the summer irrigation season. As of this week, Emigrant Lake is 84 percent full because it captured February rainfall. Not enough rain fell farther east to help Howard Prairie Lake, which is 40 percent full, or Hyatt Lake, which stands at 42 percent full, according to Menteer and Bureau of Reclamation measurements. Northeast of Ashland, Fourmile Lake is 52 percent full and Fish Lake is 61 percent full. North of Medford, Agate Lake is a bright spot at 94 percent full. By Vickie Aldous for the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Daily Tidings Posted May. 13, 2015 at 11:50 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501