Who Uses the Water in Central Oregon? Cities, Farms, Rivers, and How It’s Distributed

As canals turn on and river levels shift, many people ask: who uses the water in Central Oregon and how is it distributed? This Raise the Deschutes seminar investigates where the water goes, who holds the rights to it, and how it is managed across an overallocated basin. We will explore municipal systems, irrigation, and instream flows, and what this water year looks like. This seminar coincides with the City of Bend’s 100th anniversary and the Deschutes River Conservancy’s 30th year.