Lincoln County Declares Drought Emergency, Central Oregon Coast Streams Near Record Lows

Published 07/09/25 at 5:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) - Lincoln County commissioners declared a drought emergency on July 2 in response to historically low streamflows and dry conditions across the region. The county plans to request a formal declaration from the state of Oregon, which would unlock relief tools for local water users. (Above: Lincoln City's D River as it disappears on occasion. File photo)

For residents, it means the county is asking for help in conserving water. There is no word yet on how this will affect visitors or tourism on the central Oregon coast.

The emergency designation is for Yachats, Waldport, Newport, Depoe Bay and Lincoln City. The move was recommended by the Mid-Coast Water Conservation Consortium and approved during the commissioners’ meeting, reflects mounting concern over drinking water supplies and the health of stream-dependent fish and wildlife.

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Streamflows on the Siletz, Alsea, and Yachats Rivers have been tracking well below normal levels. By mid-June, the Siletz River registered only 22 percent of its average flow — a record low for that time of year. The Alsea River came in at 40 percent, while the Yachats River hovered at 49 percent of its average. Smaller streams are also showing signs of stress; Beaver Creek has already reached flow levels typical of late August and September.

NOAA’s Drought.gov reports that for this part of the Oregon coast, May 2025 was the 20th driest on record in the past 131 years, with a precipitation drop of 2.25 inches below average. For the period from January through May, it ranks as the 26th driest, with an 8.23-inch deficit.

Yachats / Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Lincoln County issued a press release encouraging residents to take action to relieve pressure on local waterways. Recommendations include watering plants during cooler hours, limiting lawn irrigation, using efficient irrigation tools, and avoiding outdoor washing. The county also urges residents to regularly check for leaks in household plumbing and irrigation systems and provides simple steps to detect leaks using dye tablets or water meter readings.

Additional conservation measures include installing low-flow fixtures, upgrading toilets to models that use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, keeping showers brief, and waiting to run dishwashers and washing machines until fully loaded.

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