Deschutes River
Posted inNews

Dam Drought

The Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan was approved in December with the goal of increasing instream flows in the river. Then another drought year happened.
Avatar photo by Jack Harvel

Last summer the Wickiup Reservoir dried to just 1% of its capacity, the lowest it has been since it was built in 1949. In an average year the reservoir, which stores Deschutes River water, would be at about 25% of its capacity at the end of irrigation season, with just over 63,000 acre-feet. Last year’s […]

Posted inNews

Conservation Controversy

Local irrigation districts have a plan to conserve water in the Deschutes River and protect endangered species, but environmental groups say it isn’t enough
by Laurel Brauns

The fate of the Deschutes River is in the hands of the federal government. The Oregon spotted frog could disappear forever. The overall health of the river has rapidly declined from 10 years of drought and over irrigation. The Wickiup Reservoir ran dry this summer. Yet, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is weeks away […]

Posted inNews

Environmental Watchdog: Central Oregon LandWatch Executive Director Ben Gordon 🎧 [with podcast]

Gordon will lead the organization’s efforts to enforce Oregon’s land use laws and protect local rivers, farm lands and forests
Laurel Brauns

For this week’s “Bend Don’t Break” podcast, we talk with Ben Gordon, the head of Central Oregon LandWatch, a local environmental nonprofit. COLW has been working behind the scenes for decades to mitigate the effects of urban development and wasteful water use. Gordon started as the new executive director of Central Oregon LandWatch on June […]

Posted inOutside

Nominate a river for Wild and Scenic designation

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden is asking Oregonians to nominate more Oregon rivers for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
Avatar photo Nicole Vulcan

Do you have a river you love in Oregon? Do you want to see it more protected than it is today? Now’s the time to speak up. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden is asking Oregonians to nominate more Oregon rivers for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System—meant to “preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, […]

Posted inOpinion

Covered Wagons and Historical Water Rights: Both Out of Date

It’s time to agree that irrigation systems put in place during the covered-wagon days need to go
The Source Staff

Here’s a thing that’s just as antiquated as a covered wagon: The way Central Oregon treats its relationship with one of its most coveted resources, its water. The system that allocates water resources from the precious Deschutes River has largely been in place since those covered wagon days—and if the local irrigation districts get their […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Monkless Opens its New Brasserie

Specialty cocktails, on top of Monkless’ Belgian-style draft beers and flights
Avatar photo Nicole Vulcan

Earlier this year, Monkless Belgian Ales announced it had signed a lease on the space formerly occupied by Craft Kitchen and Brewery, overlooking the Deschutes River. Now, the new Brasserie by Monkless opened its doors Oct. 30. Monkless has hired a Michelin star-trained chef from San Francisco to head up its kitchen, offering a menu […]

Posted inNews

Hunting Near Homes Rattles Residents

Group seeks Deschutes County change to hunting carve-outs
Hilary Corrigan

A stretch of the Deschutes River between Sunriver and La Pine State Park has long had shooting restrictions in place, closing hunting along the waterway that zig-zags through federal lands and housing communities. Except for two little spots. The segments, each less than 1 mile but close to each other on the river just south of […]

Posted inOutside

One Man’s Trash…

A trio of surf lovers takes river cleanup to the next level, exploring the underwater world of the Deschutes
Avatar photo Isaac Biehl

“I grabbed this baby head… not a real one!” says Kea Eubank as we stand at the edge of the water in Pioneer Park. Apparently that’s just how it goes when you dive under the Deschutes River; you never know what you’re going to get. Hell, the trio called @lootthedeschutes on Instagram found an actual gun […]

Posted inOutside

Still Water

A cool summer and fear of wildfires have contributed to a slow rafting season
Rylan Boggs

Rafting companies in the Bend area are seeing fewer trips booked this summer. Many attribute the decrease to cooler weather in the area and concern about possible trip cancellations due to forest fires. Tim Thornton, operations manager at River Drifters, a Maupin-based service offering trips throughout Oregon and Washington, said while business has been steady […]

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