Collected and curated media Articles about the water and rivers in the western united states
![Guest column: ‘My Way or the Highway’ is not collaboration]()
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.
![June drier than normal despite thunder storms]()
Despite thunderstorms at the end of the month, June precipitation in Bend was below normal, according to the National Weather Service.
![Editorial: Chinook return still a work in progress]()
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.
![More spring Chinook returning to Deschutes Basin]()
46 upper basin spring Chinook have returned, compared to five that returned last year
![Warm Springs water system suffers two new failures]()
![Guest column: What it means to be a junior water right holder]()
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.
![Warm Springs residents adjust to life without reliable water]()
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.
![Guest column: Saving Mirror Pond and dam safety]()
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).
![How to stay safe floating the Deschutes River this summer]()
With another busy summer approaching, Bend Park & Recreation District is asking people to stay safe on the Deschutes River.
![Guest column: Collaboration on water is harder than picking a fight]()
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.
![Mirror Pond dam to be reevaluated for risk]()
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.”
![Letter to the Editor: Sediment is not the city’s fault]()
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.
![Editorial: Council hides information from the public about 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.
![Deschutes River postage stamp released Tuesday near Bend]()
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.
![Guest column: ‘Tis the season to waste water]()
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.
![Council talks capping Mirror Pond contribution at $3M]()
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.
![Guest column: Remove the silt from Mirror Pond]()
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.
![Get Ready For The Big Bugs: Fishing The Deschutes River Salmonfly Hatch]()
Those obsessed with fly fishing are getting ready for the greatest time of the year on the lower Deschutes River: the famous salmonfly hatch.
![Guest column: Protect Central Oregon’s historic canal system]()
Within the city limits of Bend, we are blessed to have inherited the iconic Deschutes River, which snakes gracefully through our town.
![Letter to the Editor: Fish passage and Mirror Pond]()
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.
