Canoeing the Deschutes River near La Pine State Park
Two canoeists enjoy the upper Deschutes River during late spring. The bare banks in the background typify habitat problems along the upper sections of the river. The Deschutes River has very stable year-round flows under natural conditions. Seasonal flow fluctuations caused by water management lead to bank erosion along the upper Deschutes River. The river deposits some of the eroded material behind impoundments in the City of Bend, leading to shallow, warm-water conditions in Mirror Pond.