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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Making ancient stories new again ... Former firefighter accused of theft from District 3 faces charges in Virginia ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Making ancient stories new again ... Former firefighter accused of theft from District 3 faces charges in Virginia ... SNOWPACK Drought concerns linger in parts of Oregon Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News BEND — Irrigation season is underway in central Oregon, and while the state's snowpack is better than it was last year, the effects of last year's drought linger. The Bulletin newspaper of Bend reports that several reservoirs in the region failed to fill to capacity before irrigation season began Friday, with irrigation districts delivering water to ranchers, farmers and other water rights holders. Theirrigation season typically runs into October. Water managers were unable to fill Wickiup Reservoir to capacity after it was drawn down significantly last year, and they released more water than usual last month to provide higher levels in the Deschutes River for the spotted frog to breed. The frog is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Thanks to the early releases and last year's draw-down, it could be tough for the Wickiup to be replenished by snowmelt this irrigation season. Before Friday, it was about 88 percent full. It's the first time in eight winters that the Wickiup hasn't filled. Mike Britton, general manager of the North Unit Irrigation District, which provides water in Jefferson County, said patrons of the district will have a reduced allotment this year, as they did last year. As for snowpack, this year is above average, said Jeremy Giffin, the Deschutes Basin watermaster for the Oregon Water Resources Department. "But for this summer we'll be drafting down Wickiup pretty low again." Two conservation groups, WaterWatch of Oregon and the Center for Biological Diversity, sued central Oregon irrigation districts and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation over the winter, alleging they failed to manage the Deschutes River adequately to protect the spotted frog. A federal judge on Friday declined to restrict how much water could be released during the irrigation season. The case could now go to mediation. Crane Prairie Reservoir, which is northwest of Wickiup, reached about 75 percent of its capacity. The water stored there is used by the Central Oregon Irrigation District and other smaller districts. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 4, 2016 at 2:00 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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 2016 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501