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River News - In The Media
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Source Weekly: Deschutes River Cleanup opens on May 1st
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.
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
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: 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
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.
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: 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
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
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
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
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.
