water issues

Holstein dairy cattle loaf in their pens at Threemile Canyon Farms. New regulations adopted by Oregon seek to tighten cattle watering regulations.

Oregon’s new SB 85 will further regulate water use on big livestock operations

Anna King

Some Oregon farmers say they need less regulation, not more. But Governor Tina Kotek recently signed new laws on water rules for big farms. It’s called Senate Bill 85.

in the bottom third of the photo, there is a blue river with tan rocks in it. At grey railroad bridge is crossing the river. On the right hand side of the photograph, there are green bushes and trees. In the background, there are tan hills, a blue sky and white clouds at the top of the photo.

Environment and Planning

NW drinking water concerns could get worse as the climate changes

Courtney Flatt

All the dirt in the Naches River was too much for the City of Yakima’s water treatment plant to handle. Desert cities and towns could see situations like this happen more often as the climate continues to change.

As of June 1, the western half of Washington State is no longer part under a drought order, while the rest of Washington is more of a mixed bag.

Weather and Climate

While spring rains help most of Washington, parts still under emergency drought

Courtney Flatt

Eastern Washington is in for another hot, dry summer. But – spring rains mean the west side of the state will no longer face a drought.

The view of Bumping Lake from the bank near Chris Maykut's cabin. A Yakima Basin water plan could enlarge the central Washington lake, which would flood a small, shoreline community.

Environment and Planning

Yakima water woes need more storage options, advocacy group says

Courtney Flatt

A Yakima group is pushing for more controversial water storage reservoirs in Central Washington, the same week Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, visited with the group.

Environment and Planning

Plastic with your seafood? Same question goes for otters and orcas

Tom Banse

It was a dark and slippery early morning on the Oregon coast when researchers scrambled down the rocky shore in the small town of Yachats. They kept one…

Environment and Planning

Nearly 100 Oregon Water Systems Will Test For Algae Toxins Plaguing Salem's Water

Dirk VanderHart

Nearly 100 public water systems around Oregon—including the state’s largest—will be required to begin testing for harmful contaminants from algae blooms…

Environment and Planning

Health Officials Lift Recreational Advisory At Detroit Lake, Announce New Protocols

Dirk VanderHart

After 10 days, the Oregon Health Authority has lifted an algae advisory for people swimming and boating in Detroit Lake.Health officials have also made it…

Government and Politics

Salem's Water Advisory 'Unlikely' To Be Lifted Monday

Dirk VanderHart

A drinking water advisory for the city of Salem doesn’t look like it’s going away just yet.After extending the advisory over potentially harmful…

Food, Agriculture, and Animals

'This Is Not Normal.' Eastern Oregon Ranchers Struggle With Deepening Drought

Anna King

In the shadow of remote Dry Mountain, branding is the only way to guarantee a fair sorting of cattle between ranchers in the fall.Animals’ ear tags can…

Environment and Planning

Salem Extends Water Advisory, Despite Clean Tests

Dirk VanderHart

A drinking water advisory in Salem has been extended for another two weeks.City officials announced that the most recent testing indicates they can lift…