We are here because we love the Deschutes River. Our local rivers give life to an otherwise arid, high desert climate. No matter who we are, we are all connected to the river, and…
Deschutes River Conservancy News
“Together we can do great things,” says DRC Exec. Dir. Tod Heisler
From the Desk of the Executive Director, Tod Heisler This year has been unpredictable for many reasons. Water supply, climate change and politics have all been top of mind. As we enter uncertain times, it…
A Step in the Right Direction for the Upper Deschutes
Beginning this winter, the Deschutes River will flow at a minimum of 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) from September 16th to March 30th. The river community is celebrating the addition of this water to…
Fish Salvage on the Deschutes River
Community members gathered in waders, boots and rain jackets at Lava Island Falls last week to rescue thousands of fish in what’s becoming an annual event. Each fall, streamflow in the Upper Deschutes from Wickiup…
Stand together for the Deschutes River
Perspective on U.S. District Court hearing on the Oregon spotted frog litigation from DRC Executive Director, Tod Heisler As I scanned the overflowing courtroom for an empty seat at last Tuesday’s Oregon spotted frog hearing, I encountered…
What you need to know about the Deschutes
The Deschutes River needs our help. The Deschutes River, though beautiful, has some very serious problems. In many years, flows in the Deschutes below the reservoir can drop by as much as 98% from summer…
A tale of two droughts: 1977 & 2015
Let me paint a picture of the summer of 1977 in Sisters, Oregon. The population was less than 700 people, many of whom were farmers. A drought had devastated the snowpack in the Cascades,…
We have snow! Is the drought over?
The current water report from Oregon Water Resources Department Region Manager, Kyle Gorman The Water Year so far has been a remarkable improvement from last year. Although, the reservoirs are still showing some lingering effects…
Restoring the Deschutes River, preserving the Oregon spotted frog
We all know that rivers need water. Here, in the Deschutes Basin, we are fortunate to have an abundant supply of water from an extraordinary spring-fed river, but today the use of that water is…