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Parts of interior Oregon and southern Idaho experienced severe short-term dryness during June, adding to the long-term moisture stress as measured by the Palmer Hydrological Drought Index. According to the USDA, 45% of Oregon's pasture and range land was rated in the poor to very poor category by early July.
According to the Water Availability Committee of Oregon, dry soils across much of the state absorbed a sinificant part of the snowmelt, resulting in low reservoir inflow. Several counties had requested extension renewal of state and USDA (federal) drought designation, and wheat crops in north central and northeast Oregon were reported to be struggling this year (6/20 EONow).
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