Crooked River falls to near-record low levels; Prineville Reservoir at lowest point since 1974
US Bureau of Reclamation
Could affect recreational activities this summer, Bureau of Reclamation says
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation advised Friday that the public should expect lower than normal water levels in the Crooked River this spring and summer. Flows will be lowest near Prineville and Smith Rock State Park, and could potentially impact recreational activities.
Multiple years of drought conditions and low snowpack runoff into the reservoirs are contributing factors, a news release stated.
“Record dry conditions have caused increased irrigation demand from the reservoir much earlier than usual,” said Gregg Garnett, USBR s Bend Field Office manager.