Mckenzie

Watershed Hydrology

The McKenzie watershed, located in Oregon, covers an area of approximately 1,463 square miles. The watershed is primarily mountainous, with elevations ranging from 200 feet to over 10,000 feet. The hydrology of the watershed is mainly fed by precipitation, with snowmelt contributing significantly to streamflow during the spring and summer months. The snowpack in the watershed is heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean's climate patterns and can vary greatly from year to year. The watershed is home to several reservoirs, including the Blue River Reservoir and Cougar Reservoir. The constituents of these reservoirs are mainly used for hydroelectric power generation and municipal water supply. Interesting climatic facts about the watershed include the frequent occurrence of wildfires and the potential for drought conditions due to a changing climate. Over the past few decades, there has been a trend towards more intense and prolonged droughts in the area.


Surface Flows

Mckenzie Watershed

Snowpack Depths

Mckenzie Watershed

Dams & Reservoirs

Mckenzie Watershed

Groundwater Levels

Mckenzie Watershed

Mckenzie Rivers

Rivers of the Watershed