Water Report
Current Water Conditions in Ashland
July 2026
No Rain in July, Drought Continues
Precipitation Report
There was no measurable precipitation in Ashland in July. This is not unusual for July, even in times when there is no drought, due to our typical seasonal distribution of rainfall characterized as winter wet, summer dry. Since the year 2000 we experienced a July with no precipitation eleven times. The record of precipitation begins in 1892. Since then, a July with no rain occurred 39 times.
However, because of low snowpack this winter, most of Jackson County is now suffering severe drought conditions so conserving water is of utmost importance. The City of Ashland posts recommendations on how to conserve water on their website along with updates for watering throughout the summer. Check it out!
Reservoir Readout
As of the end of July, Reeder Reservoir is 77.1% full while Emigrant and Hyatt Lakes were 22% and 40% full, respectively.
For up-to-date information, visit the US Bureau of Reclamation’s website. Then click on a teacup and then the link for Water Year Graph.
The State of Drought
As of the end of July, most of Jackson County persists in “severe drought” conditions.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Snowpack Report
The National Resource Conservation Service monitors snowpack in stream basins through its SNOTEL (Snow Telemetry) program. The SNOTEL network is composed of over 900 data sites located in remote, high-elevation mountain watersheds. They monitor snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and other climatic conditions. The data collected at SNOTEL sites are transmitted to a central database, called the Water and Climate Information System, where they are used to make water supply forecasts.
The snow season has officially ended for our area. We have about 0% of our snowpack left.
Water Year Report
The water year is defined by the U.S. Geological Survey as the 12-month period beginning October 1, for any given year through September 30, of the following year.
“Water conservation can have double benefits in the face of a changing climate: it can help the community be more prepared for drought, and also reduce stress to aquatic ecosystems and thereby enhance the resiliency of those ecosystems to a variety of climate and non-climate stressors.”
— Ashland Climate & Energy Action Plan
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