The monthly Prineville Reservoir call notes from earlier today were released. I’ll reproduce them all below but there are some items of special note. Carryover storage is expected to be very low at the end of the season. Managers are concerned that warm and dry conditions will continue through the summer and fall. The flow target in the Crooked River below Prineville has been reduced to 10 cfs when NUID is not making water calls. Irrigation season end date is uncertain. All this seems to confirm the fear I have been voicing in this blog for potentially extremely low flows in the Crooked River later this year. Let’s hope that the spring chinook now entering the system don’t have too hard a time.

Reservoir Conditions

• Prineville and Ochoco reservoirs continue drafting steadily, with record‑low inflows comparable to 2021 and earlier drought years.
• Carryover storage for both systems is projected to be very low heading into WY2027.

Hydrology & Climate

• Past month was very dry, with basin precipitation between 60–83% of normal and declining soil moisture.
• Drought Monitor now shows Crook County in D2–D3 (Severe–Extreme) drought.
• El Niño conditions are nearly certain going into late summer and fall, typically signaling a warmer, drier year.

Fire Outlook

• July and August forecast shows above‑normal wildfire potential; despite dryness, Oregon and Idaho have seen fewer fires than expected so far.

Operations & Releases

• The flow target at Capo when no irrigation water is ordered has been reduced to 10 CFS to help extend account water.
• Discussions are underway around potential shutdown timelines, with many decisions waiting on the mid-July board meetings.

Fisheries Updates

• Chinook are migrating and using the Opal Springs ladder; steelhead mostly wrapped up for the year.
• One quagga mussel was found at Prineville Reservoir in early June; all follow‑up monitoring has been negative so far. Ongoing monitoring continues via PSU and agency partners.