Learn What's Really Happening to the Lower Deschutes River at the DRA Webinar on Tuesday, April 4th
If you have fished the lower Deschutes River for more than a decade you have seen the river change. On Tuesday, April 4, you can learn more about why those changes are occurring by attending the Deschutes River Alliance State of the Lower Deschutes River, an online presentation and discussion about the water quality of the lower Deschutes River.
The webinar is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and features members of DRA’s Science Team, Rick Hafele and Steve Pribyl, DRA Executive Director Sarah Cloud, and DRA Water Quality Coordinator Derek Miller.
The discussion will focus on water quality issues in the lower Deschutes River, and present information from the recent water quality report by the DRA Science Team. You can join the webinar on April 4 by clicking here. The link is also available on the DRA website events page, www.deschutesriveralliance.org/events.
Water quality issues have plagued the lower Deschutes River since the installation of the Selective Water Withdrawal Tower in Lake Billy Chinook in 2009.
Issues include pH levels that exceed Oregon Department of Environmental Quality standards, dissolved oxygen levels that fail to protect spawning and young trout, salmon, and steelhead, increased water temperatures, nuisance algae, excess nutrients, fewer insects and other issues.
For the past decade, the DRA has collected water quality data from the lower Deschutes River and published annual water quality reports using the highest quality standards. In fact, our data is used by DEQ.
This science-based information drives our advocacy work for strict water standards that are enforced, and water conditions that support aquatic life.
Our science reports can be found on the DRA website at https://deschutesriveralliance.org/reports.
The data used in the water quality reports is collected by DRA water quality monitors placed below the Pelton Dam Complex.
In 2023, DRA is installing an additional monitor in the Maupin area. This monitor will be the only one consistently gathering water quality information in this key area of the lower Deschutes River. In addition, real-time data will be available on the DRA website providing a unique insight into what is happening on the lower Deschutes River.
Pre and Post SWW Tower pH levels
