RESTORING STREAMFLOW AND IMPROVING WATER QUALITY
IN THE DESCHUTES RIVER BASIN FOR 25 YEARS
Click to view interactive basin map
In one year, starting October 2022, winter flows of the Deschutes will be bolstered with an additional 30 cubic feet per second of water. That represents a 28% jump over normal winter releases from Wickiup Reservoir. Lisa is the DRC’s new Programs Manager. She is a native Oregonian and traveled the world visiting over 30 countries and most of the US before deciding to make Bend her home. The Deschutes County Commission has approved an additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investment of $1.45 million for an On-Farm Efficiency Water Conservation Investment project. “The money couldn’t come at a better time as Central Oregon endures another year of extreme drought,” Fitzpatrick concluded. “Impacts are being felt in every stream and every irrigation district throughout the Deschutes Basin.”Top Stories
Increasing winter flows in Deschutes River takes conservation and a reliance on science
Lisa Seales Joins the DRC as Programs Manager
Deschutes County invests $1.45 million in relief funds for water conservation project
The problems are fixable and we're all working together to conserve water and solve them
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Basin Wide Planning
Planning for sustainable water management practices to support the river and other users into the future.
Find Out More About Basin Wide Planning -
Water Rights Transfers
DRC's transfers program acquires and transfers water rights to be permanently protected instream.
Find out about Water Rights Transfers -
Water Management
Sharing water to meet the modern needs of rivers, cities, and farms.
Find Out More About Water Management -
Streamflow Restoration
The Deschutes Basin is over-allocated. We work cooperatively in the basin to restore flows in local streams.
Find out about streamflow restoration -
Groundwater Mitigation
The DRC Groundwater Mitigation Bank creates temporary credits through instream leases.
Find out about Groundwater Mitigation
Everyone will win if we can fix this
The streamflow challenges currently facing the Deschutes Basin trace back more than 100 years. Settlers put the Basin's water to work pursuing a successful future for local agriculture but not considering the environmental impact. Today we know far more about the need to protect ecosystems while supporting livelihoods. We're fortunate to be in a basin with enough water for all — provided it's properly managed. By rethinking and rebalancing how we use and share water, we can and will have enough water for fish, farms, and families.
WE COULD USE YOUR HELP
Volunteer
Check here for opportunities to volunteer for the Deschutes River Conservancy.
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