OREGON – Hydropower generation in Oregon and Washington dropped to its lowest levels since at least 2001 last year, according to recently published data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
During the 2022-23 water year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, Oregon produced 20% less hydropower than it did the previous year and Washington produced 23% less. The EIA attributed the decline to drought conditions throughout the year as well as a May 2023 heat wave that caused the snowpack to melt rapidly, affecting the water supply for the following months.
The full EIA report can be found here.
