Upper John Day HUC8 17070201
A 5,540 km² sub-basin of the Pacific Northwest region in OR. Drought coverage is from the US Drought Monitor (map of 2026-09-01); streamflow classes place each USGS gauge's latest reading against its own day-of-year record.
Health score
35
Stressed
Drought index
474
Exceptional
Area in D2+
100%
74.5% exceptional (D4)
Gauges below normal
50%
of 2 reporting
Median flow
112%
p41 of record
Water assets
383
137 springs · 53 wells
USGS gauges (2)
- JOHN DAY R AT BLUE MTN HOT SPGS NR PRAIRIE CITY,OR1403686022 cfsp9 · much below normal
- JOHN DAY RIVER NEAR JOHN DAY, OR1403853045 cfsp73 · normal
Recent conditions
| Date | DSCI | D2+ % | Gauges low | Flow pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-07 | 474 | 100 | 1/2 | p41 |
Top water assets
- 78Indian Creek — Irrigationspring
- 76A Well — Supplemental Irrigationwell
- 76Ingle Creek — Irrigationspring
- 76A Well — Irrigationwell
- 76A Well — Irrigationwell
- 76Snow Creek — Irrigationspring
- 73Indian Creek — Irrigationspring
- 73Strawberry Creek — Irrigationspring
- 73Shaw Gulch — Irrigationspring
- 69Canyon Creekriver