Accomplishments
Streamflow Restoration Accomplishments in the Deschutes Basin
Since 1996, the DRC has accomplished more than any other streamflow restoration group in the Northwestern United States. Historically, nearly 90% of the streamflow from the Deschutes River in Bend was diverted through irrigation canals during the irrigation season. This water management practice causes low summer flows in the Middle Deschutes, low winter flows in the Upper Deschutes, as well as flow impacts in Whychus Creek, the Crooked River, Trout Creek, and other important tributaries. When flows fluctuate, river function as well as fish and wildlife habitat is impacted.
Through the years, the Deschutes River Conservancy has worked with irrigation districts and other partners to create a more efficient water delivery system to allow more water to remain instream. As a result of this work with our partners, we have been able to restore more than 350 cubic feet per second of water back instream throughout the Deschutes Basin. That's the equivalent of over 157,080 gallons per minute protected instream.
A healthy watershed and a thriving ecosystem are the keys to our future here in the Deschutes Basin. When we have healthy rivers, streams, and lakes, we know we can support the diverse needs of people and wildlife.
Flow Restoration Progress Over the Years
Streamflow restoration progress looks at an increase throughout the Deschutes River Basin measured in cubic feet per second (CFS). Through collaborating with our basin partners, DRC restores streamflow through water rights leasing (blue), updated water management policies (grey), permanent water rights transfers from irrigation in streams (orange), and water conservation projects such as piping leaking canals and creating more efficient irrigation practices (green).
Whychus Creek: Permanent Restoration Achieved
Whychus Creek, flowing through the town of Sisters, historically ran dry during the irrigation season. This caused fish and wildlife populations to suffer. The DRC has worked with Three Sisters Irrigation District and Oregon Water Resources Department to implement a series of water conservation projects and water rights transfers that now protects over 20 cubic feet per second (cfs) of instream water rights in the creek. Maintaining a healthy year-round flow in the creek is vital to efforts currently underway to restore salmon and steelhead to Whychus Creek.
Basin Study Work Group: Water Management Planning for the Future
The DRC’s Water Management Planning Program designs the next generation of water management projects to help stakeholders in the Deschutes Basin resolve long-standing water management issues. The DRC and our partners are finishing the Upper Deschutes Basin Study.
The Basin Study was a $1.5 million process, in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation, that provides a roadmap to meet water needs for rivers, agriculture, and communities for the next 50 years. It includes a climate change analysis to ensure that we are planning for future conditions. The study builds on previous planning work in the basin, including the Deschutes Water Planning Initiative, and will be completed in 2018.
The Study encompasses the upper Deschutes, Whychus, and Crooked sub-basins, and it’s particularly focused on finding solutions to restore flows in the Upper Deschutes River.
