Collected and curated media Articles about the water and rivers in the western united states
It is easy to label alternative points of view as uncooperative, when in fact they so often lead to major advances in our society. But when it comes to water management in Central Oregon, unless you subscribe to the points of view of irrigation managers and boards, you are accused of holding grudges or picking fights. Dissenting views are critical to genuine, effective collaborative work. To that end, I spent fifteen years as executive director of the Deschutes River Conservancy where irrigation, tribal, environmental and government agency perspectives were all represented.
Despite thunderstorms at the end of the month, June precipitation in Bend was below normal, according to the National Weather Service.
That 46 upper basin spring Chinook salmon have made their way to the Upper Deschutes River Basin this year is good news. It’s not, however, time to declare victory for the fish that disappeared in the mid 20th century with the completion of Round Butte and Pelton dams in Jefferson County.
46 upper basin spring Chinook have returned, compared to five that returned last year
NUID is the second largest irrigation district in Oregon and is junior to the other seven Deschutes Basin irrigation districts. NUID’S 1916 water rights were the last issued and received the smallest per acre allotment.
A month ago, Carina Miller didn’t give much thought to routine daily tasks such as showering, watering the house plants and doing the dishes. Now, anything that involves the use of water requires time, commitment and planning.
This last April I contacted the Oregon State Dam Safety Engineer to request a change of the hazard rating for the Bend Hydro Dam (Mirror Pond).
With another busy summer approaching, Bend Park & Recreation District is asking people to stay safe on the Deschutes River.
Farmers and ranchers are often targeted by well-meaning individuals and groups who don’t quite appreciate or understand the hard work and collaboration required to drive local agricultural and water management endeavors.
Growing recreational use downstream from the Mirror Pond dam, known as hazard creep, could cause authorities to raise the current hazard rating of the dam from “significant” to “high.”
In his May 2 guest column “We need to remove the silt from Mirror Pond,” Ned Dempsey blames stormwater outfalls from the city of Bend as the source for the sediment load in Mirror Pond.
What a terrible time to hide information from the public about Mirror Pond. Just as the community debates the pond’s future, the Bend City Council has decided to play deny-the-document.
The U.S. Postal Service will host a dedication ceremony Tuesday near Bend for its new Wild and Scenic Rivers Forever stamps that include one featuring the Deschutes River.
Hardly a day goes by without an article in the paper or our online news feeds about drought, declining snowpack, climate change and threats to water supply.
The Bend City Council appeared ready to approve a plan Wednesday that would dedicate $3 million to preserve Mirror Pond, a Bend landmark that for decades has been filling with silt from the Deschutes River.
I am writing about the removal of silt from Mirror Pond. Based on my extensive history and background relating to this type of project, I wanted to express my thoughts and views on the issues as well as on some of the claims that are being used to try to stop the project.
Those obsessed with fly fishing are getting ready for the greatest time of the year on the lower Deschutes River: the famous salmonfly hatch.
Within the city limits of Bend, we are blessed to have inherited the iconic Deschutes River, which snakes gracefully through our town.
There is no question that if the city and park district are considering using public money for dredging Mirror Pond the issue must go to the voters.