The Deschutes River is located in central Oregon. It provides much of the drainage on the eastern side of the Cascade Range on its way to its confluence with the Columbia River. The Deschutes was an important resource for thousands of years for Native Americans and in the 19th century for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.

Where does the Deschutes River start and end?

Going with the Flow

The Deschutes River originates at Little Lava Lake in the Deschutes National Forest. Rainfall on the eastern side of the Cascade Range flows north down the Deschutes River to its mouth at the mighty Columbia River.

Can you swim in the Deschutes River?

There's more than one way to savor swimming in Bend. From a starlit soak in a natural hot springs to an afternoon float on the Deschutes River, there are dozens of options for taking a dip in Bend. Here's a list of some of our favorite swimming spots around Central Oregon.

Is Bend Oregon Safe?

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Bend is 1 in 48. Based on FBI crime data, Bend is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Oregon, Bend has a crime rate that is higher than 58% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

How warm is the Deschutes River?

By the time the Deschutes River reaches the Old Mill District — the stretch of the river best known to floaters and paddlers, it tends to warm back into the high 60s during the hottest part of the summer, according to data provided by the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.

Float the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon

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Are there 2 Deschutes rivers?

The middle Deschutes River has excellent hiking opportunities with spectacular geologic formations and waterfalls. The lower Deschutes River offers the greatest opportunities for whitewater rafting and is one of Oregon's premier steelhead and trout fisheries.

Where does the Deschutes flow into the Columbia?

The Deschutes River begins on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains southwest of Bend, Oregon, flows north through Central Oregon, and enters the Columbia River at River Mile (RM) 204. Five miles upstream is Biggs Junction, Oregon and the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, connecting Oregon with Washignton.

How deep is the water in the Deschutes River?

The Deschutes River in Central Oregon drains on the east side of the Cascade Mountain Range. The cold green water provides a counterpoint in what is otherwise a stark and arid landscape. The lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River canyon averages 2,000 feet deep.

Does the Deschutes River flow north to south or south to north?

The Deschutes River begins at Little Lava Lake in the Cascades, runs from north to south for 8.4 miles to Crane Prairie Reservoir, east through Wickiup Reservoir, north through Bend to Lake Billy Chinook, and on 120 miles to its mouth at the Columbia River.

Is the Deschutes River Trail open?

Bring your bicycle and enjoy a 26-mile round-trip ride on the Deschutes River Trail along the east bank of the river. The trail is an easy, flat grade, but mountain bikes are recommended due to the dirt and gravel surface. ... The trail is open from sunrise to sunset; no overnight camping with horses is allowed.

How did the Deschutes get its name?

It has developed into a bustling, exciting destination where progress, growth and unique beauty intertwine. Our History: French-Canadian fur trappers gave the name, “Riviere des Chutes” (River of the Falls), to one of Oregon's most scenic rivers. It is from this river that the County of Deschutes takes its name.

What river runs through Bend?

The Deschutes River flows through Bend and the Riverhouse on the Deschutes property. Visitors come to fly fish, kayak, canoe and white water raft. One of the local favorites is to float down the river on hot days from the Old Mill District to Drake Park Downtown on your favorite inflatable or inner tube.

Is the Deschutes River polluted?

The Deschutes River is under pressure from growth, resulting in many small, uncontrolled sources of pollution that enter the river. Local city, county, and state government agencies monitor and protect water quality.

Can you float the river in Bend?

There's a law in Bend that says no one shall visit our fair city in the summer months without floating the Deschutes River at least once. Once you reach Bend's scenic Drake Park, hoof it back to your car. ... Read our detailed blog post with all the details and options for summer 2021.

What are the Deschutes?

a river flowing N from the Cascade Range in central Oregon to the Columbia River.

What kind of fish are in Deschutes River Oregon?

The Deschutes River Basin supports more than thirty species of indigenous and introduced fish. Indigenous salmonids comprise six of the species and include Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, sockeye salmon, redband trout, bull trout and mountain whitefish.

What city is Lake Billy Chinook in?

playground known as Lake Billy Chinook. Created when Portland General Electric (PGE) completed the Round Butte Dam in 1964, this 4,000-acre high desert reservoir lies in a canyon at the confluence of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius rivers near Culver and Madras.

How cold is the Deschutes River Bend?

In Deschutes River Woods, the summers are short, warm, dry, and mostly clear and the winters are very cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 23°F to 82°F and is rarely below 10°F or above 90°F.

Can you swim in Wickiup Reservoir?

Located along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Wickiup Reservoir was built in 1949 on the Deschutes River for irrigation use. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, windsurfing, waterskiing, and swimming as well as camping and picnicking around the lake. ...

What is the temperature of the Columbia River?

When the river enters Washington, average August river temperatures generally fluctuate between 17-18°C from year to year. Throughout the Lower Columbia River, where the river serves as the border between Washington and Oregon, the river fluctuates between 21-22°C.

Is Bend Oregon LGBT friendly?

Bend also scored zero points for leadership of LGBTQ equality because the city has no public position on LGBTQ equality or pro-equality legislative or policy efforts, according to the HRC.