Nearly half of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Storms during this past winter brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue.
Four states currently have the most widespread drought, covering 100% of their areas. These are South Dakota, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware.
In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk. Across New England, ongoing drought has shrunk reservoirs and water supplies in the region.
Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios, much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.
Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Oregon with the worst droughts as of Dec. 17, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. “Abnormally dry” is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
You may also like: What is a family or resident nursing home council and how common are they in Oregon?
Emma Rubin // Stacker
Oregon statistics
– Abnormally dry: 26.1%
– Area in drought: 11.2% (#44 nationally)
— Moderate drought: 11.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Jackson County
– Abnormally dry: 93.3%
– Area in drought: 4.8%
— Moderate drought: 4.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Harney County
– Abnormally dry: 67.5%
– Area in drought: 32.5%
— Moderate drought: 32.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Sherman County
– Abnormally dry: 66.8%
– Area in drought: 33.2%
— Moderate drought: 33.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Arpad Jasko // Shutterstock
Gilliam County
– Abnormally dry: 54.1%
– Area in drought: 45.9%
— Moderate drought: 45.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
You may also like: Best private colleges in Oregon
Bob Pool // Shutterstock
Morrow County
– Abnormally dry: 52.9%
– Area in drought: 47.1%
— Moderate drought: 47.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Wasco County
– Abnormally dry: 38.8%
– Area in drought: 47.9%
— Moderate drought: 47.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Dee Browning // Shutterstock
Grant County
– Abnormally dry: 39.3%
– Area in drought: 60.7%
— Moderate drought: 60.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Klamath County
– Abnormally dry: 31.2%
– Area in drought: 64.8%
— Moderate drought: 64.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Deschutes County
– Abnormally dry: 18.8%
– Area in drought: 65.7%
— Moderate drought: 65.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
You may also like: Best public high schools in Oregon
Bob Pool // Shutterstock
Umatilla County
– Abnormally dry: 27.8%
– Area in drought: 72.2%
— Moderate drought: 72.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Jefferson County
– Abnormally dry: 11.0%
– Area in drought: 75.9%
— Moderate drought: 75.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Hugh K Telleria // Shutterstock
Malheur County
– Abnormally dry: 19.3%
– Area in drought: 80.7%
— Moderate drought: 80.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Baker County
– Abnormally dry: 16.9%
– Area in drought: 83.1%
— Moderate drought: 83.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Dominic Gentilcore PhD // Shutterstock
Lake County
– Abnormally dry: 11.6%
– Area in drought: 88.4%
— Moderate drought: 88.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
You may also like: Counties in Oregon where landslides pose the greatest threat
Canva
Union County
– Abnormally dry: 10.5%
– Area in drought: 89.5%
— Moderate drought: 89.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Wallowa County
– Abnormally dry: 8.8%
– Area in drought: 91.2%
— Moderate drought: 91.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Canva
Crook County
– Abnormally dry: 0.2%
– Area in drought: 99.8%
— Moderate drought: 99.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Tomas Nevesely // Shutterstock
Wheeler County
– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 100.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
Stacker
Stacker is a news organization that produces and distributes data journalism to the world’s news organizations. Founded in 2017, Stacker combines data analysis with rich editorial context, drawing on authoritative sources and subject matter experts to drive storytelling. This article has been republished pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 License.