DRA Releases 2021 lower Deschutes River Report

The 2021 lower Deschutes River Report, our annual report discussing ongoing water quality monitoring, is near completion and our findings are consistent with those in past years – the river needs cooler, cleaner water! 

• Drought conditions contributed to less agricultural runoff into the Crooked River and subsequently into Lake Billy Chinook, which had a positive but temporary effect on water quality in the lower Deschutes River.
• Current operation of the SWW Tower intentionally warms the lower Deschutes River during critical spawning and incubation periods for resident trout, spring Chinook, and steelhead.
• Rapid increase of bottom-draw at the SWW Tower can provide relief to fish and aquatic life by temporarily cooling the lower Deschutes River during periods of extremely high air-temperatures.

Continuous monitoring of water quality in the lower Deschutes River has been and will continue to be the primary goal of the DRA science team. The DRA will continue collecting and analyzing data in 2022. The data sondes have been calibrated and received factory certification for their redeployment this coming spring. Supporting field probes have also been tested for accuracy and we have completed all preliminary quality assurance procedures. Although data from 2021 exhibited small improvements to water quality in the lower Deschutes River, the long-term impacts of drought do not bode well for the health of the river and its aquatic life. These observations come at a time when regulating agencies appear in favor of lowering water quality standards in the lower Deschutes and surrounding tributaries. The DRA stands firmly by its science to uphold the voice of the river and to prevent the degradation of vital water quality standards established to protect aquatic life.