The Lower Crooked Watershed covers an area of approximately 2,325 square miles and is located in central Oregon. The watershed is divided into three sub-basins: the Crooked River, Haystack Reservoir, and the Ochoco Creek. The Crooked River is the largest sub-basin and is known for its steep gradient and fast flow rates. The watershed has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters. The area experiences an average of 16 inches of precipitation per year, with most of it falling as snow in the winter months. The snowpack in the watershed is important for providing surface water in the spring and summer months. The reservoirs in the watershed, including Haystack Reservoir and Prineville Reservoir, are important sources of water for irrigation and municipal use. Climate change is expected to impact the watershed's snowpack and surface water availability, potentially leading to increased competition for water resources.