Macroinvertebrate Studies
DRA Utilizes Macroinvertebrates to Gauge River Health
A critical part of understanding the health of rivers is knowing what is happening to aquatic life in the river. While fish, especially salmon, steelhead and trout, are of great importance economically, socially, and biologically, they are difficult and expensive to study and can take many years to show the effects of changes to the river. As a result aquatic macroinvertebrates (mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, snails, aquatic worms, etc.) have been used across the country to assess water quality and stream health. Therefore, the DRA implemented a macroinvertebrate sampling program that follows all accepted state and federal sampling and assessment methods. The DRA is now the only organization sampling and directly assessing the biological health of the lower Deschutes.
Dr Edwards’ Report on macroinvertebrate community in the Deschutes River before and after SWW Tower installation
This study evaluates the findings of the 2016 Lower Deschutes River Macroinvertebrate and Periphyton Study by R2 Resource Consultants, Inc. for Portland General Electric (PGE). Unlike the PGE report, which found no major differences in macroinvertebrate communities before and after surface water withdrawal operations at the Round Butte Dam complex, this study used a widely-accepted statistical technique for evaluating macroinvertebrate assemblage and found significant changes, with a shift towards more non-insect taxa and fewer sensitive taxa such as mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies.
How to Support the DRA
Everyone wants clean, healthy water in the Deschutes River. Oregonians cherish our clean and healthy waterways to provide drinking water, wildlife habitat and recreational activities. The lower Deschutes River is a federally designated Wild & Scenic River, and a national treasure. It must be protected for the environmental and economic health of Central Oregon. We believe by working together we can return the lower Deschutes River to full health. The Deschutes River Alliance is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3).