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RAINFALL AT 95 PERCENT Amid the drought, Medford's water supplies still ample Despite low snowpack, rain has filled aquifers Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 5:31 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 5:31 PM » Social News Much of the West has been plagued with drought, but Jackson County has received enough rain to avoid any mention of rationing for most residents this summer. The Medford Water Commission, which provides water to many cities in the valley, is not calling for any extraordinary conservation measures, though it is asking customers to use water wisely. “We’re not going to cry wolf when there’s no wolf,” said Laura Hodnett, spokeswoman for the water commission. A rain gauge at Big Butte Springs has measured 95 percent of normal rainfall this winter, though snowfall remains less than normal on Mount McLoughlin, the source of water for the springs. Since Oct. 1, 26.67 inches have fallen at the springs, compared with the average of 28.16 inches. Spring volume is at 47 cubic feet per second as of the first week of May, which is still within the range of normal. In May 1993-94, the springs produced 44 cubic feet a second, the lowest on record. In May 1996-97, the springs delivered 60 cubic feet a second, a record high. “We’re certainly not at historical lows,” Hodnett said. The geology of Mount McLoughlin is composed of loose volcanic soil that allows water to easily penetrate, filling up aquifers even when the precipitation comes as rain rather than snow. Despite the generally good news for Water Commission customers, the overall water picture for the area is bleaker after three consecutive years of low snowpacks. Many mountain reservoirs are only partially full. Howard Prairie, a popular destination for visitors, is only percent full, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The reservoirs provide water for many of the irrigation districts that serve the valley’s farms and ranches. The Jackson County watermaster has also reported that many rural residents have expressed concern about how their wells will perform this summer. Even though Big Butte Springs is in good shape, the water commission is tapping it less this year and relying more on Rogue River water. The Eagle Point Irrigation District has rights to Big Butte Springs but usually receives water from Willow Lake. To make sure the district has enough water later in the season, the Water Commission has reduced its take from the springs from the normal 26 million gallons a day to 20 million gallons to help maintain levels in Willow Lake longer into the summer. To make up for the reduced amount, the Water Commission is relying more on Rogue River water, which is more expensive because it requires additional treatment. Hodnett said the irrigation district didn’t want to pull too much water out of Willow Lake in case there is another low snowpack next season. Other counties in the state have been harder hit than Jackson County. Gov. Kate Brown has declared drought emergencies in the counties of Lake, Malheur, Crook, Harney, Klamath, Baker and Wheeler. Deschutes and Umatilla counties have applied for drought status with the state. Scott Oviatt, snow survey supervisor for the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said reservoir managers throughout Oregon have been trying to adjust to lower snowpacks. Instead of letting rainfall go through reservoirs to save room for snow melt, many are storing rainfall, Oviatt said. “They’re thinking of conservation measures,” he said. “They're thinking there’s not going to be a snowpack.” Even though many areas of the state have received normal precipitation, mountainous areas that feed the lakes are much drier than normal, a situation made worse by three years of drought and the warmer than normal winter, Oviatt said. “Soil moisture conditions are so dry,” he said. “It will take several years of precipitation to bring it back to normal.” Oviatt said water managers are adjusting to the changing weather patterns but no one knows how long it will continue. “It could be a lengthy trend, or it could be a short-term trend,” he said. Despite the reassuring news from the Medford Water Commission, many Jackson County residents remain worried about the potential for a drought. “We’re really conservative with water,” said Lester Madewell, a 62-year-old who grows vegetables at a community garden in west Medford. His wife, Shirley, 63, said, “Everybody in the garden is trying to conserve as much as we can.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or d [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 5:31 PM » 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... 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