Northeast Oregon in Serious Drought, Too

No snow in the Blue Mountains means farmers to the south of Tri-Cities are also in serious trouble.

The beautiful Umatilla River still has water in it, but farmers who get their water from the Umatilla and Walla Walla basins are in trouble. Snow didn't fall and spring rains were a quarter of normal and summer is expected to be dry.

Considering the huge commercial operations in northeast Oregon -- like those growing onions for the whole country -- there's a lot of money at stake.

Farmers that can will pull water from the Columbia River.

Fish are also at risk if the Umatilla River is too shallow for them to reach spawning grounds in mountain streams.

[SOURCE: East Oregonian]