Month: October 2019

Conservation measures underway to help balance streamflow within the Deschutes River (Bend, Ore.) In mid-October,Central Oregonians will come together as a community to rescue fish and mitigate impacts caused by drought and scheduled, seasonal streamflow changes in the Upper Deschutes River. Fish get stranded along a 1-mile stretch of channel that dries out every year from Lava Island Trailhead to Meadow Camp off the Deschutes River when water released from Wickiup Dam into the Deschutes River is reduced to store it for next year’s irrigation season. Nearly 50% of Central Oregon farmers depend on the water stored within Wickiup Reservoir. “The fish rescue is a temporary measure,” said Lisa Windom, special projects coordinator for North Unit Irrigation District. “The irrigation districts are working toward long-term solutions to balance the flows.” By piping open irrigation canals, promoting on-farm conservation by patrons (piping private deliveries, converting to sprinklers), and entering temporary instream … Read more