River Restoration Stories

Whychus Creek revived through combined efforts

Restored flows in Whychus Creek meandering through The Deschutes Land Trust’s Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Whychus Creek in Sisters has made a huge comeback in the past several years through the collaborative efforts of the…

Another project brings us closer to our goal for Whychus Creek

The native fish habitat found in Whychus Creek plays an integral role in steelhead reintroduction efforts underway in the basin. Through a series of instream flow restoration projects, the Deschutes River Conservancy, in partnership with…

Irrigation districts share water for mutual gain

Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) is in the process of piping almost one mile of their I-Lateral canal, located near the Alfalfa Store & Feed. The conserved water from this project will be transferred to…

Change in steelhead designation eases restoration efforts

This month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the designation of steelhead trout released above Round Butte Dam on the Deschutes River will be changed from endangered to experimental under the Endangered…

Whychus Creek: A unique restoration opportunity

Whychus Creek tumbles down the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains, through the City of Sisters, and into the Deschutes River. For over a century, summer irrigation demands far exceeded water supply meaning parts of…

Making History in River Restoration

From the Desk of the Executive Director, Tod Heisler In 2011, the Deschutes River Conservancy surpassed the state’s 20 cfs flow target on the upper reach of Whychus Creek, a feat never before achieved on…