Klamath Falls, Ore. — While Klamath County is facing a serious drought, steps are being taken to make sure that livestock won’t go thirsty this summer.

Farmers and ranchers are likely to face water cutbacks and shutoff’s over the next few months but the Oregon Water Resources Commission is offering some relief. Scott White, the Klamath Basin Watermaster, said “the exception is they have allowed stock water and human consumption as a preference. It’s not subject to regulation for a call for water from a senior water user.”

Mountain snow pack levels for the Klamath Basin are only at 23 percent of average.

It’s unclear what impact drought conditions may have on water availability at Crater Lake.

drought, Klamath County, Klamath Falls, livestock, Oregon, Oregon Water Resources Commission, Upper Basin Water, water shortage