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Water Update: Late January 2025

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Water Update: Late January 2025

A recent period of above-average temperatures in late December/early January, combined with rain, have melted snow at lower elevations of the Refuge, swelling the Blitzen River. 

“Normally in winter, the river’s flow rate averages about 30-50 cubic feet per second (cfs), said Ed Moulton, Malheur Refuge Maintenance Supervisor. “But with this recent weather, we’ve had several nights where it was running at around 1,000 cfs.”  

Conditions are likely to get wetter as winter turns to spring, with many of the mountain ranges surrounding the Refuge seeing snow-water equivalent levels at 200-300 percent of normal. 

All of this water can be beneficial for wildlife and livestock, but it also poses habitat management challenges on the Refuge. 
 
“The biggest issue with the river this high is that we run out of places to put the water,” said Moulton. “Currently West Canal is running over its banks. East Canal is running high. Malheur Lake is pretty close to reaching the Narrows, and as the lake expands it backs up into the river.” 

FOMR will continue to provide water updates in the months ahead.

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