Water Year Recap and Outlook

Lower Alsea River.\Photo by Rena Olson, with support from Lighthawk.

For those who pay attention to water supplies and hydrology, the new year just started—the Water Year, that is.  Anyone interested is invited to the second day of the  Oregon-Washington Water Year 2020 Recap & 2021 Outlook Meeting, held as two virtual meetings on the mornings of Wednesday, Oct. 28 (now over) and Thursday, Oct. 29. The annual water year meeting is an opportunity to review climate-related impacts of the previous water year and learn about the forecast for the upcoming water year.

This event is hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group, and the Office of the Washington State Climatologist with planning committee participation from the Oregon Climate Service, Oregon State University’s Climate Impacts and Research Consortium, the Oregon Water Resources Department, the WA Department of Ecology, and USDA Northwest Climate Hub and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

In addition to hearing from the forecast experts, both days will include time for discussion and peer-to-peer learning. The sponosrs encourage participation from a wide range of sectors including utilities, agriculture and forestry.

Day 1: October 28; 9 a.m. to noon

The first day will feature a recap of the 2020 water year with a focus on extremes — from winter flooding to drought to wildfire. Given the incredible impacts in Oregon this year, the meeting will feature events and impacts from Oregon and also cover key impacts in Washington.

Day 2: October 29; 9 a.m. to noon

The second day will feature the Outlook for the 2021 water year, as well as new resources and information that can be used to plan and prepare for the future climate and climate-related events.

Here is a more complete agenda.

Prior to the meeting those who have registered will be sent a detailed agenda as well as a survey to collect information on impacts you experienced and actions you took this year to address those impacts. Results of the survey will be summarized during the meeting. You will also have an opportunity to provide feedback on the impacts survey and an annual impacts assessment.

 To register, go here.