In the Media Archives - DRC News & Resources

Hundreds join Deschutes River cleanup to remove trash, protect the river

June 28, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Hundreds join Deschutes River cleanup to remove trash, protect the river

Volunteers roamed the banks of the Deschutes River on Saturday, hunting for non-native invasive weeds to pull and trash to pick up, while divers and paddlers braved the river itself, searching for a year’s worth of trash and lost items at the 29th annual Deschutes River cleanup.

After 10 years of use, Bend Whitewater Park needs repairs

June 26, 2025

Bend Bulletin: After 10 years of use, Bend Whitewater Park needs repairs

A recreation engineering team has recommended structural fixes and repairs to prevent hazards and increase use at Bend Whitewater Park. The park opened 10 years ago, and after years of use, its features need to be refurbished, according to the Bend Park & Recreation District.

Increased snowpack, high reservoirs mean higher Deschutes River flows

June 24, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Increased snowpack, high reservoirs mean higher Deschutes River flows

The amount of water flowing down the river peaked in early June at around 1,770 cubic feet per second, measured at Benham Falls by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. That flow level is higher than at any point during the same month a year ago, when flows at the same location peaked at 1,702 cfs.

Elevated cyanotoxin levels in Lake Billy Chinook prompt health warning

June 19, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Elevated cyanotoxin levels in Lake Billy Chinook prompt health warning

The Oregon Health Authority has issued a health advisory alert for Lake Billy Chinook due to the presence of cyanotoxins above recreational use values for human exposure.

Trump breaks historic Columbia River deal between U.S. government, tribes, Northwest states

June 13, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Trump breaks historic Columbia River deal between U.S. government, tribes, Northwest states

In an order issued Thursday, Trump said he would withdraw the U.S. from a 2023 deal made with tribes and environmentalists to end lawsuits over fish losses.

Environment, social justice groups withdraw support for governor’s key groundwater protection bill

June 10, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Environment, social justice groups withdraw support for governor’s key groundwater protection bill

Groups that helped champion one of Gov. Tina Kotek’s key groundwater protection bills this session are withdrawing their support and asking the Legislature to let it die for now, following a last-minute amendment they say effectively neutralizes the intent of the legislation.

Bend Bulletin Editorial: Allow a Deschutes Basin water bank

June 3, 2025

Bend Bulletin Editorial: Allow a Deschutes Basin water bank

House Bill 3806 would establish a voluntary water bank pilot in the Deschutes Basin to improve water flexibility and access—particularly for junior water rights holders—while requiring annual oversight and reporting by the Deschutes River Conservancy.

Bill in Oregon legislature offers hope for improved water distribution in Deschutes Basin

May 28, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Bill in Oregon legislature offers hope for improved water distribution in Deschutes Basin

A bill designed to improve flows in the Deschutes River and increase water availability for junior water rights holders is making its way through the Oregon Legislature and could be passed this summer.

Deschutes ‘water bank’ intended to ease water leases

May 27, 2025

Capital Press: Deschutes ‘water bank’ intended to ease water leases

House Bill 3806 would create a local water bank in the Deschutes Basin to streamline temporary water leases, support fish habitat, and improve drought resilience.

Late season snow blankets Mount Bachelor, improves snowpack

May 12, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Late season snow blankets Mount Bachelor, improves snowpack

A late-season snowstorm boosted Central Cascades snowpack, benefiting Mt. Bachelor and water supplies. With Wickiup Reservoir 85% full, farmers will receive more water than last year. While Oregon is drought-free for now, experts warn that a warm, dry spring could still raise wildfire risk and strain streamflows by summer.

May 5, 2025

Source Weekly: Deschutes River Cleanup opens on May 1st

Bend Bulletin: Arnold Irrigation District delays water delivery

April 10, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Arnold Irrigation District delays water delivery

Arnold Irrigation District has delayed water deliveries until May 31 due to weather-related construction setbacks on its canal piping project, though officials expect minimal impact thanks to strong snowpack and spring conditions. The $35 million project aims to extend irrigation seasons and conserve water as part of the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan.

Cascade Business News: New Solution to Better Allocate Water

April 8, 2025

Cascade Business News: New Solution to Better Allocate Water

To address chronic water scarcity and allocation challenges in the Deschutes Basin, local partners are developing a voluntary water bank to improve flexibility and river health—pending approval of Oregon HB 3806, which would launch the program as a state-backed pilot.

Bend Bulletin: Learn about Deschutes watershed

April 3, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Learn about Deschutes watershed

The Bulletin The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council is hosting a six-part speaker series at the Sunriver Nature Center, covering topics from geology to wildlife and water conservation, with registration open now through their website.

Bend Bulletin: Central Oregon starts irrigation season with high reservoirs

April 3, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Central Oregon starts irrigation season with high reservoirs

Thanks to strong snowpack and reservoir levels, North Unit Irrigation District farmers will see increased water allocations for the third year in a row—though still below historic averages—as gradual releases from Wickiup Reservoir begin to support both irrigation and wildlife habitat.

KTVZ21: Rep. Bynum, Senator Merkley introduce bill to continue federal funding for Deschutes River Conservancy

April 1, 2025

KTVZ21: Rep. Bynum, Senator Merkley introduce bill to continue federal funding for Deschutes River Conservancy

Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Janelle Bynum have introduced the Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 2025, renewing the DRC’s eligibility for $2 million in annual federal funding to support water conservation and streamflow restoration across the Deschutes Basin.

Central Oregon Daily: 950 adult steelhead pass Round Butte Dam in historic 2024–25 run

March 27, 2025

Central Oregon Daily: 950 adult steelhead pass Round Butte Dam in historic 2024–25 run

A record 950 adult steelhead returned to the Upper Deschutes Basin in 2024–2025, marking the strongest run since the 1960s and a major milestone in ongoing fish reintroduction efforts.

OPB: A ‘good’ water year in Central Oregon comes with murky political forecast

March 24, 2025

OPB: A ‘good’ water year in Central Oregon comes with murky political forecast

A wet winter has brought short-term relief to Central Oregon irrigators, but uncertainty looms as federal funding delays stall key water conservation projects. As debates around the Endangered Species Act resurface, some in the region hope political shifts will reshape water policy in their favor.

Bend Bulletin: Storms give Upper Deschutes a 20% boost in snowpack

March 19, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Storms give Upper Deschutes a 20% boost in snowpack

A mid-March storm dropped over 5 feet of snow in the Central Cascades, boosting snowpack to 139% of normal and improving water supply, ski conditions, and reservoir levels across Central Oregon.

Bend Bulletin: Editorial: Water bank is just what Deschutes Basin needs

March 14, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Editorial: Water bank is just what Deschutes Basin needs

House Bill 3806 proposes the creation of a voluntary water bank in the Deschutes Basin to facilitate water transfers between rights holders, providing flexibility amid increasing drought conditions. With strong support and built-in safeguards, the bill aims to help irrigation districts like North Unit manage water more effectively while preventing speculation and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Source Weekly: Kotek and Conservation Groups Want DEQ to Address Deschutes River Water Quality

March 6, 2025

Source Weekly: Kotek and Conservation Groups Want DEQ to Address Deschutes River Water Quality

Governor Kotek and six conservation groups are calling on DEQ to revisit water quality standards and dam operations on the lower Deschutes River. They cite environmental concerns, while PGE and the Warm Springs Tribe maintain that current measures meet regulatory requirements.

Bend Bulletin: Guest column: Irrigation districts and landowners are working together to protect water

February 28, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Guest column: Irrigation districts and landowners are working together to protect water

Despite challenges, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control reaffirms its commitment to the Deschutes Habitat Conservation Plan, highlighting ongoing progress through piping, water leasing, and collaborative conservation that has already secured over 150 cfs for streamflow restoration.

Redmond Spokesman: Delays loom for plan to increase Deschutes River winter flows

February 26, 2025

Redmond Spokesman: Delays loom for plan to increase Deschutes River winter flows

Delays in permitting canal piping projects may push back the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan’s goal of increasing winter flows in the Deschutes River to 300 cfs by 2028, raising concerns about meeting conservation targets and protecting threatened species.

Bend Bulletin: Redmond gets state OK to use more water

February 12, 2025

Bend Bulletin: Redmond gets state OK to use more water

Redmond has secured enough water to support its growing population for at least 15 years by creatively reallocating winter water for summer use, rather than increasing its supply. While the city explores additional options like transferring a historic Deschutes River water right to groundwater, Mayor Ed Fitch emphasizes that long-term sustainability will require continued conservation and strategic planning.

No results found. Try another keywords.

Media

River News - In The Media