Oregon Water Restrictions 2026
Published: April 23, 2026
Sources: Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), Portland Water Bureau, Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), City of Salem Public Works
Oregon's drought pattern divides sharply along the Cascade Mountains. Western Oregon — Portland, Salem, Eugene — receives adequate winter rainfall (36–46 inches annually) but faces summer irrigation restrictions because annual precipitation is concentrated October–May, leaving a 4-month summer dry season with near-zero rainfall. Eastern Oregon communities depend on Snake River basin and groundwater systems that face chronic over-appropriation, with severe drought conditions currently declared in Malheur, Harney, and Lake counties.
The 2025–2026 Cascade snowpack measured 67% of normal — the third consecutive below-average winter. Bull Run Watershed (Portland's sole supply) stands at 68% of capacity entering summer (normal: 95%). North Santiam River flows feeding Salem run 31% below average. The McKenzie River (Eugene) triggers automatic summer conservation season annually regardless of drought status.
Portland Water Bureau requests voluntary 20% reduction through its Summer Conservation Stage (June 1 – September 30). Salem activated mandatory Stage 1 in April 2026. Eugene's EWEB operates a permanent Conservation Season with mandatory 2-day/week restrictions June–September regardless of drought. HOA fines for drought-compliant brown lawns are prohibited under ORS 94.783.
How Oregon Manages Drought
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) regulates water rights, issues water availability reports, and certifies drought declarations that unlock emergency funding from the governor. OWRD does not set local outdoor watering schedules — those are set by city public works and special districts.
Portland Water Bureau operates the Bull Run Watershed (73,000 acres in Mt. Hood National Forest) — one of the largest unfiltered surface water systems in the US. Bull Run provides water to nearly 1 million Portland-area residents. PWB's Stage 1 through Stage 4 framework automatically triggers based on Bull Run storage levels.
Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) is a customer-owned utility serving 200,000 customers from the McKenzie River. EWEB's Conservation Season (June 1 – September 30) is permanent and mandatory; it applies every year regardless of water availability to protect in-stream fish flows and senior downstream rights.
The City of Salem Public Works Water Division treats water at Geren Island from the North Santiam River. Salem's 4-stage framework is tied to North Santiam flows and Detroit Lake storage.
Oregon Conservation Framework
Portland Summer Conservation Stage (Stage 1, current): 20% voluntary reduction requested. No mid-day irrigation 9 AM – 5 PM. No mandatory odd/even. Stage 2 mandatory triggers if Bull Run drops below 60% capacity. Stage 3 would ban all outdoor irrigation.
Salem Stage 1 Water Shortage Watch (current, April 2026): Mandatory 2 days/week odd/even. Odd addresses Tue/Sat; even Wed/Sun. No mid-day irrigation 10 AM – 4 PM. Fines $100 per violation. Stage 2 would cut to 1 day/week.
Eugene Conservation Season (permanent annual June 1 – September 30): Mandatory 2 days/week odd/even. Odd addresses Mon/Thu; even Tue/Fri. No mid-day irrigation 10 AM – 5 PM. Fines $75 first offense, $150 second.
Hand watering and drip irrigation are exempt from day-of-week limits in all three cities. A hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle can be used any day. Drip and soaker hoses can run any day during allowed hours.
Oregon Regional Breakdown
Portland Metro (PWB Service Area)
Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Tigard — approximately 1 million residents. Bull Run Watershed at 68% storage. Summer Conservation Stage active June 1 – September 30. Snowpack at 67% of normal.
Willamette Valley (Salem/Eugene)
Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Springfield, Albany — approximately 700,000 residents. North Santiam (Salem) and McKenzie (Eugene) rivers drive conservation stages. Salem Stage 1 active; Eugene permanent June–Sept Conservation Season.
Southern Oregon (Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass)
Rogue River watershed. Medford Water Commission voluntary conservation. Bear Creek at 76% of normal. No mandatory city-wide restrictions as of April 2026, but Jackson County is in D2 Severe Drought designation.
Eastern Oregon (Bend, Pendleton, Ontario)
Severe drought designation — Malheur, Harney, and Lake counties in D3 Extreme. Bend relies on groundwater; Pendleton on the Umatilla River. Agricultural curtailments affect municipal supplies in irrigation districts.
Oregon Lawn Grass and the 2026 Drought
Western Oregon lawns are dominated by cool-season grasses: tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and fine fescue. These grasses thrive in the PNW's wet-winter / dry-summer Mediterranean-influenced climate. Tall fescue is the most drought-tolerant of the four and handles the 2 days/week summer schedule best.
Summer dormancy is natural and healthy for Oregon cool-season lawns. Grass turns golden-brown in July–August and greens up in September when fall rain returns. Do not fight dormancy with heavy irrigation — it damages roots and invites disease. Water deeply (1 inch) on each scheduled day rather than shallow daily watering.
Native PNW landscaping offers the most dramatic water savings. Oregon Stonecrop, Kinnikinnick, Sword Fern, Yarrow, and Blue-Eyed Grass all thrive on rainfall alone after establishment. The Portland Water Bureau's 'Rain Garden' program provides free design assistance for residential rain-garden installations that reduce runoff and provide drought-tolerant landscape.
Rainwater harvesting is particularly valuable in Oregon's wet-winter / dry-summer cycle. Oregon law allows unlimited residential rooftop harvesting without a permit. A 500-gallon cistern refills 20+ times per year on Portland's 36" annual rainfall — providing significant irrigation capacity through the summer conservation season.
Drought-Survival Watering by Grass Type
| Grass | Survival Watering | Mowing Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall Fescue | 1 in/week deep on 2 days | 3.5–4 inches | Most drought-tolerant PNW grass; goes golden July–Aug |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 1 in/week deep on 2 days | 2.5–3 inches | Goes dormant fast under stress; slow recovery |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 1 in/week deep on 2 days | 3–3.5 inches | Accepts dormancy; recovers well in fall |
| Fine Fescue | 0.5 in/week on 2 days | 2.5–3 inches | Shade-tolerant; lowest water of PNW options |
| PNW Native | Rainfall + spot drip | N/A | Long-term recommended replacement |
HOA Protection During Drought
Oregon Revised Statute 94.783 prohibits HOAs from enforcing lawn appearance standards that would require homeowners to violate declared water shortages. Portland's Summer Conservation Stage, Salem's Stage 1 Watch, and Eugene's permanent Conservation Season all qualify as triggering declarations.
ORS 94.5673 protects homeowners who install water-conserving landscaping including native-plant gardens, rain gardens, drought-tolerant turf alternatives, and permeable pavement. HOAs cannot prohibit these improvements.
If your HOA sends a violation letter during active Stage 1+ conservation, respond in writing with: (1) a copy of your city's current declaration, (2) citations to ORS 94.783 and 94.5673, and (3) a request that the notice be rescinded. File a complaint with the Oregon Real Estate Agency if the HOA persists.
Oregon Cities — Local Water Restriction Guides
Key Contacts & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oregon in a drought in 2026?
Western Oregon is in moderate drought (D1/D2) with Cascade snowpack at 67% of normal. Eastern Oregon — Malheur, Harney, Lake counties — is in Extreme Drought (D3). Portland's Bull Run at 68%, Salem's North Santiam 31% below average, Eugene's McKenzie in summer low-flow triggers. All three major Willamette Valley cities have active conservation declarations.
Do I have to follow water restrictions if I live in Oregon?
Yes if you live in Salem (Stage 1 mandatory) or Eugene (Conservation Season mandatory June–September). Portland's current Summer Conservation Stage is voluntary but the city tracks high-use customers and will publish violators if Stage 2 is triggered. Smaller cities across Oregon (Medford, Bend, Pendleton) have their own frameworks — check your local utility.
Can my Oregon HOA fine me for a brown lawn?
No. Oregon Revised Statute 94.783 prohibits HOAs from enforcing lawn appearance standards during declared water shortage. Salem Stage 1, Eugene Conservation Season, and any Portland stage 2+ declaration all qualify as triggers. ORS 94.5673 additionally protects homeowners who install drought-tolerant native landscaping.
Can I harvest rainwater in Oregon for lawn use?
Yes. Oregon law allows unlimited residential rooftop rainwater harvesting without a permit. A 500-gallon cistern refills 20+ times per year on Portland's 36" annual rainfall — providing substantial irrigation capacity through the summer conservation season. Larger systems (above-ground and underground cisterns) are also allowed for residential use.
What day can I water my lawn in Oregon?
Varies by city. Portland: no mandatory day schedule at Stage 1 (voluntary 20% reduction). Salem: odd addresses Tue/Sat, even Wed/Sun (Stage 1 mandatory). Eugene: odd addresses Mon/Thu, even Tue/Fri (Conservation Season mandatory). Hand watering and drip irrigation are exempt statewide. Select your city above for full details.