Long and Winding River 2018
2018-08-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Explore the Headwaters of the Upper Deschutes
The headwaters of the Deschutes River are at Little Lava Lake, but is this really where all of the water in the Deschutes River comes from? Join geologist Daniele McKay for an exploration of the Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor area, and the true headwaters of the Deschutes River. We will explore pristine springs, mountain lakes, and recent volcanic deposits – all of which make the Deschutes one of the most remarkable rivers in Oregon.

Hike With the Eds: Bridge Creek
2018-08-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Where does our water come from and how is it used?
Join Eddie Kula and Ed Weiser this summer to explore the Deschutes River, from the urban corridor to its headwaters in the Cascade Mountains. Each hike will be held twice, once on a week day and once on the weekend.
Registration now open!
Bridge Creek: Sat, August 4 and Tues, August 14
This final hike provides another perspective on how our water is used and where it comes from…this time our drinking water. The out-and-back route takes us to a beautiful meadow where we’ll eat lunch and get a better sense of Bend’s water supply.

Dr. Jerry & The Bugs
2018-08-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Check out the bugs that call the Deschutes River home. We know that fish eat insects and that those insects live in the water where the fish live. Our display will feature live insects (and crustaceans!) from local waters for you to look at under the microscope.
Dr. Jerry Freilich, a retired aquatic entomologist, will help you become better acquainted with the mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and a bunch of other aquatic invertebrates that live in our nearby waters. Please join us for this fun and fascinating event!
No registration required.

Upper Deschutes Kayak Trip: Paddle with the Pros
2018-09-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Got questions about the Deschutes? What better way to learn about the river than to paddle it with the pros?
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe (TCKC) for a water-based exploration of the Upper Deschutes. TCKC will provide transportation, guides, and the all the gear. Two local water experts, Lisa Seales and Kyle Gorman, will edify and entertain you with stories about how the Deschutes River works and is managed. Read their bios below.
Kyle Gorman is Region Manager for the South Central Region, which includes the Deschutes, Klamath and Lake Basins, for Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). Kyle has BS in Geology from the University of Oregon. He worked as a geologist in Nevada before coming to Bend in 1990 to work for OWRD. Kyle says, “I didn’t know that I was going to be in Water management but while working for Bob Main [Kyle’s predecessor], I realized this was a really important, challenging but rewarding job and that you will never be bored or run out of things to do or address. And most of all that there is much work to be done in restoring streams in the Basin back to a more natural and improved state.”
Lisa Seales is an educator, social scientist, editor, and writer with nearly 20 years of experience in the environmental field. Lisa has a BS in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon, and a PhD and MS in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida, with a focus on water resource management as well as tourism and outdoor recreation. Lisa has been researching, teaching about, and working on water issues in the Deschutes Basin for nearly a decade now. She currently works for Farmers Conservation Alliance in their Irrigation Modernization Program, where she helps pursue water management solutions that benefit both agriculture and the environment.

Seeing Hidden Water
2018-10-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Emma Marris will talk about the future of fresh water. She will cover global and local challenges as increasing populations struggle to share a finite amount of water. She’ll delve into one of the biggest challenges for those who want to talk about freshwater: much of it is hidden. Come to gain an understanding of the state of freshwater in the Deschutes and Klamath basins and around the world, and leave with a set of concrete actions to take and new ways to visualize the Earth’s hidden water.
This presentation complements the exhibit, Water Tables, featuring works by Pat Clark on display at Bend Art Center and the COCC Library from October 5 – November 25.
Co-hosted by The Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program at COCC Foundation, Bend Art Center and Coalition for the Deschutes.
About Marris
Emma Marris has written about the environment and other topics for National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times and Outside, among others. In 2011, she published her first book, Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World. She was named a National Geographic Media Innovation Fellow in June 2018.

Public Meeting for Swalley Draft Watershed Plan-EA
2018-10-10 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On September 21, 2018 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA) for the Swalley Irrigation District Irrigation Modernization Project. The proposed project will pipe 16.6 miles of canals and laterals over seven years to improve water conservation, water delivery reliability, and public safety. NRCS developed the Draft Plan-EA in partnership with Swalley Irrigation District, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, and Farmers Conservation Alliance. A public meeting will be held to inform the community and gather public comments.
The Draft Plan-EA and appendices with supporting information are available at oregonwatershedplans.org. Limited copies of the Draft Plan-EA are also available at the Deschutes Public Library in Bend, the NRCS office in Redmond, and the Swalley Irrigation District office. View the Notice of Availability and News Release from NRCS.
Comments on the Draft Plan-EA will be accepted through October 24, 2018. Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
1) At the public meeting
2) Email swalleycomments@gmail.com
3) At this online form
4) Mail to:
Farmers Conservation Alliance
Swalley Watershed Plan
11 3rd St, Suite 101
Hood River, OR 97031
For further information please contact Farmers Conservation Alliance at 541-716-6085.
Please note: Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Further information on the public involvement process can be found at the Council of Environmental Quality’s Citizens Guide to NEPA.

Rock 'n River: Upper Deschutes Kayak Trip
2018-10-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes (CFD) and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe (TCKC) for a water-based exploration of the Upper Deschutes, from Dillon to Benham Falls and back.
Discover the river with awesome CFD volunteer, volcanologist Dr. Daniele McKay. Daniele will shed light on Central Oregon’s volcanic tantrums of the past and how the Deschutes River and its watershed have responded to eruptions, lava flows, and other geologic events.
Daniele has a PhD in geology from the University of Oregon. She studies volcanic activity and has focused much of her research on Central Oregon volcanoes.
TCKC will provide all the equipment for this trip. Be sure to sign up in advance!

Scoping Meeting for Lone Pine Irrigation District Improvements
2018-10-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
On October 2, 2018 the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a public scoping meeting to consider improvements to aging irrigation infrastructure in Lone Pine Irrigation District, located primarily in northwest Crook County, as well as northern Deschutes County and southern Jefferson County. Improvements under consideration may be partially funded through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954 (PL 83-566) and would address water conservation, enhancement of aquatic species habitat, and public safety risks while supporting existing agricultural land use. This is a collaborative effort between NRCS, Lone Pine Irrigation District, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, and Farmers Conservation Alliance.
You are invited to attend a public scoping meeting where your input is requested.
Wednesday October 17, 2018, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Wind River Conference Center – 8283 11th Street, Suite 3 in Terrebonne, Oregon
More information is available here.
Scoping comments will be used to develop a Draft Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment for the proposed project. Scoping comments will be accepted through November 15, 2018.
Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
1) At the scoping meeting
2) Email lonepinecomments@gmail.com
3) At this online form
4) Mail to:
Farmers Conservation Alliance
Lone Pine Watershed Plan
11 3rd St, Suite 101
Hood River, OR 97031
For further information please contact: Farmers Conservation Alliance at 541-716-6085
Please note: Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Further information on the public involvement process can be found at the Council of Environmental Quality’s Citizens Guide to NEPA.

Upper Deschutes River Volunteer Tree Planting Day
2018-11-01 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
The USFS is looking for volunteers to plant trees along the Deschutes River below Wickiup Dam. Restoring native vegetation is critical to improving the health of the river! The Coalition for the Deschutes is helping round up volunteers. Volunteers will be asked to sign a Forest Service Volunteer waiver. RSVP to Mike Taylor.
When: Thursday, Nov. 1, 9:00 am until the trees are planted or you need to leave.
Meeting Place: The intersection of Forest Road 44 and Burgess Road where the kiosks are located (just east of the Burgess bridge).
Bring: A shovel if you have one, gloves, water, personal items

What the River? Upper Deschutes Hydrology
2018-11-14 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join USFS hydrologist Jason Gritzner for a close look at the Upper Deschutes River. Jason will zoom in on the river today, how it’s changed through time, and the opportunities the future offers for river restoration.
Speaker: Jason Gritzner, Hydrologist, Watershed Program Manager, Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests.
Door at 5:30, program starts at 6:00 pm. Free. Please consider making a donation at the door.

Wild Rivers Night! Films, Images, and Presentations on Wild Rivers with Zach Collier
2019-01-12 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe for Wild Rivers Night, a collection of presentations about wild rivers. It’s a fun gathering of people who love rivers.
Zach Collier is a whitewater paddler, guide, and outfitter based in Hood River, Oregon. His business, Northwest Rafting Company, runs multi-day trips on Wild and Scenic Rivers in Oregon, Idaho, and a few international destinations. When he’s not running his business, he’s out exploring as many rivers as he can.
With beer by Boneyard!
Suggested Donation $5 at the door

Surfrider Foundation Newport-Bend Chapter KickOff
2019-01-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
As our surfing and paddling community grows and many shuffle between Bend and Newport, Oregon, we hope to activate our water conservation community in protecting our rivers, lakes, streams and ocean. Come join us as we kick off our Bend members of the Newport-Bend Chapter of Surfrider.
Thanks to Deschutes Brewery for supporting us with location, free food and beer! REI will have swag for all those who sign-up to be Surfrider members. We will also have local non profits present for us to brainstorm how we can all work together for better water quality and conservation in Central Oregon.
Come join us for networking, brainstorming, food, drinks, swag and how you can be active in water conservation. Some areas we will examine include measuring water quality, Ditch the Straws, Hold your Butts, Stop Plastic Bags, River Friendly Gardens, River Clean-ups, surfing and paddling competitions, social events and what policy and advocacy work we should focus on in Central Oregon.

Recreation and Rivers
2019-02-05 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Dr. Lisa Machnik will take us for a journey into the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: the historical context, the fundamentals of the Act, how rivers are managed, and:
The Wild and Scenic Rivers of Central Oregon – how lucky we are to have these resources in our backyard!
Beer by Boneyard. Presented by the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe.
Door at 5:00 pm, program begins at 7:00 pm RSVP here. Suggested donation: $5/person at the door
More about Lisa Machnik:
Dr. Machnik is the Recreation, Heritage, Lands, and Partnerships staff officer on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland. An avid backpacker, canoeist, trail runner and skier, Lisa worked as a backcountry guide in Canada and New Zealand before completing her Ph.D. at Clemson University, where she also worked with the National Park Service in their Interpretive Development Program. She joined the Forest Service as a Presidential Management Fellow in 2007.
After working on the Sawtooth and Salmon-Challis National Forests, and in the Intermountain Regional Office, Lisa spent 5 years as the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest‘s Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Congressionally Designated Areas Program Manager. Lisa has worked on ecotourism development projects around the world, including Dominica, Brazil, Gabon, Mali, and Madagascar.
She considers herself incredibly lucky to work and live in Central Oregon with people who share a passion for trails, wilderness, rivers, and outdoor adventures.

A Journey of the Sea and Soul
2019-03-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
An evening of adventure and personal insight as speaker, Susan Conrad, shares her passion for kayaking and stories from her journey of a lifetime. Featuring music by Pitchfork Revolution!
This is a fundraiser for Coalition for the Deschutes. Tickets are available here.
Doors open at 5:30. Food and beverages available in Father Luke’s room. Presentation begins at 6:30 followed by a raffle. Susan is an EXPED representative and is bringing some great items to raffle off!
Susan Conrad is a water-loving, adventure-seeking, word-slinging, public speaking kinda gal. In spring 2010, Susan Conrad launched a journey of the sea and soul. That journey took her north to Alaska where she paddled the 1,200 mile ribbon of water known as the Inside Passage, and inward as she discovered the depths of her own strength and courage.
Susan covered marathon distances for weeks on end in her 18-foot sea kayak. She forged friendships with quirky people in the strangest of places, and she pretended not to be intimidated by 700-pound grizzly bears and 40-ton whales.

Rebecca Lawton Book Release Tour
2019-04-06 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Dudley’s Bookshop Café and the Deschutes River Conservancy welcome author Rebecca Lawton to Bend during her 2019 book release tour. To be released on April 2nd, The Oasis this Time: Living and Dying with Water in the West takes the reader to fifteen arid and beloved North American landscapes and will change how we think about water.

Public Scoping Meeting: Arnold Irrigation District
2019-04-17 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
You are invited to attend a public scoping meeting to learn about a proposed project in Arnold Irrigation District and provide your feedback. Arnold Irrigation District and project partners propose to modernize aging infrastructure to conserve water, reduce energy use, improve operational efficiencies, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the Deschutes River.
More details and project documents are available at oregonwatershedplans.org.

Feathers, Fur, and Feelers: Deschutes River Residents
2019-04-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Globe-trotting photographer, Dave Rein, keeps it mostly local in this upcoming presentation. Dave will share some of his most endearing photos of wildlife as well as scenic shots of Central Oregon rivers and beyond. Along the way, he’ll offer photographic tips and tell tales about his encounters and adventures. Dave has an affection, and a keen eye, for river otters!
Doors open at 6:00 pm. Please RSVP. Suggested donation $2-$5 at the door.

Central Oregon’s Water Resources in a Changing Climate
2019-04-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
What impacts will a changing climate have on our rivers, communities, and water supplies? Come learn about how water works in the Deschutes Basin and the strategies available to create resiliency in the face of a changing climate.
Speakers will share their expertise and findings from the Basin Study that will help solve legacy water issues in the basin, and that can also be used to adapt to changing water supplies predicted for the future.
Jonathan La Marche, Hydrologist with the Oregon Water Resources Department, will discuss the unique hydrology of the Deschutes Basin and the changes we might expect under climate change.
Kate Fitzpatrick, Program Director of the Deschutes River Conservancy, will explain how water is currently managed in the Deschutes Basin and what kind of strategies partners are implementing to meet needs into the future for our rivers and communities.

Forgotten Lakes and Rivers of Central Oregon
2019-05-09 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Had you lived in “Central Oregon” several thousand years ago, you might have taken a dip in Lake Benham or caught dinner from the river flowing down Dry River Canyon. Where were Central Oregon’s rivers and lakes of the past located, how did they get there, and what the heck happened to them?
For answers to those mysteries, join us for Forgotten Lakes and Rivers of Central Oregon with geologist and volcanologist Dr. Daniele McKay, PhD

Riverfeast Dinner & Auction
2019-05-11 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, OR, United States
Join Deschutes River Conservancy on May 11th for a delightful evening of irresistible food, spirits, and music. Bid on exclusive adventures and experiences, custom art and other wonderful packages. Give back to our beautiful rivers while exploring the stunning event space at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon off Skyliner Road in Bend.
Coyote Willow’s exciting combination of cello, guitar, and rich vocals begin the evening at 5:30.
All proceeds from the event support the DRC’s mission to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin.

Deschutes River Urban Corridor Hike #1
2019-05-22 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
This hike gives an overview of the many ways the Deschutes River is used by our community. It’s an interpretive hike along the Deschutes River in Bend, with several stops that observe changes to the river over time. Stops include the canal diversions on the northern edge of town and the hydro power station on the southern edge of town.
This is a 6-mile hike using the Deschutes River Trail. 200 feet of elevation gain. Meet near the canals on NE Division, approximately across the street from the old Riverbend Brewing Sports Pub location.
Pre-registration required.

Kayak Trip: River Habitat Health along the Upper Deschutes
2019-06-03 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe for a water-based exploration of the Upper Deschutes, from Dillon to Benham Falls and back.
This paddle will be co-lead by Mason Lacy, PHD and Toni Pennington, PHD. Mason will provide insight on the unique hydrology of the Deschutes, and discuss opportunities as well as barriers to restoration. Toni will discuss aquatic plants and water quality.

America's Great River Journeys with Tim Palmer
2019-06-04 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Tim Palmer is the award-winning author of 26 books about rivers, conservation, and adventure travel. He is a photographer of America’s natural landscapes and a dynamic, inspiring public speaker. Recently four of his river photos were selected to appear in a new set of 12 USPS Wild & Scenic River Forever stamps that commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic River Act.
An inveterate river-lover, Tim has canoed or rafted on more than 300 rivers in the United States and western Canada. He lived for 22 years as a nomad in his van, traveling throughout the country to do research, writing, and photography for his book projects.
Tim will present a spectacular slide show and talk based on his new book America’s Great River Journeys. Please join us as Tim takes us on a photographic tour of 50 of the finest river trips in America, including the Deschutes, John Day, Rogue and Umpqua.

Tim has been running rivers for five decades and has worked at the center of river conservation efforts the whole time. He was the recipient of American Rivers’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 1988 and many subsequent honors. Paddler magazine named Tim one of the top ten river conservationists of our time and one of the “100 great paddlers of the last century.”
The doors open at 6:00 pm. Program begins at 6:30 pm.

WaterWise Landscape Transformations
2019-06-19 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Learn simple step-by-step methods to convert your yard into a beautiful and functional WaterWise landscape. Workshops are scheduled 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and include a hands-on demo segment in the Hollinshead Water-wise demonstration garden. Registration is required.

WaterWise Pollinator Gardens
2019-06-26 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Water in the West
2019-06-27 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Historian Patricia Limerick, a renowned scholar, director of the Center of the American West and professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, will share her insights on issues surrounding water in our region. She’s written widely on the challenges facing Westerners today and guided discussions that seek open dialogue and problem solving around contentious topics while offering a rich historical context.
Event is $7.00 and Members receive a 20% discount. Register HERE.

Deschutes River Cleanup
2019-07-27 10:00 - 14:00 | Riverbend Park, Bend, OR, 97702, United States
The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council invites watershed stewards of all ages to join us for the 23nd annual Deschutes River Cleanup on Saturday, July 27, 2019!
Volunteers will meet at Riverbend Park at 10am. River clean-up activities will take place in the Deschutes River and along its riparian areas between Meadow Camp and Drake Park. Bring your paddleboard, kayak, or canoe to help Central Oregon Diving divers pull garbage out of the river, or help us pull invasive weeds and remove litter from the stream banks.

Kayak Trip: Questions Answered!
2019-08-15 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Got questions about the Deschutes? What better way to learn about the river than to paddle it with a pro?
Join the Coalition for the Deschutes and Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe (TCKC) for a water-based exploration of the Upper Deschutes. TCKC will provide transportation, guides, and all the gear. Local water expert, Kyle Gorman, will edify and entertain you with stories about how the Deschutes River works and is managed.
Pre-registration required. This trip is appropriate for all skill levels, including beginners; there are no sections of the river that require technical paddling skills, and moving flatwater will help your boat along.

Stream Sampling on Whychus
2019-08-24 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Sampling benthic macroinvertebrates, the aquatic life form of insects including mayflies and stoneflies, provides important insights into the health of Whychus Creek. Volunteers will meet at Creekside Park in Sisters for a sampling training, then, in teams of three or four, collect macroinvertebrate samples from sites along Whychus. This event is a great opportunity to learn about restoration and reintroduction of steelhead and salmon on Whychus Creek, see less-visited reaches of the creek, and contribute to knowledge about how restoration actions are changing stream conditions.

Klamath 2050: River of Hope with Emma Marris
2019-09-11 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
In this lecture, Emma Marris, a Klamath Falls-based environmental author and journalist, will tell the story of Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River, a water system set to see big changes in the coming decades including dam removal, climate change and changing management philosophies. She will use the Klamath Basin to tell a broader story about the best possible future for water in the American West, imagining a 2050 where people inhabit their landscapes thoughtfully, creatively and more than sustainably—where flourishing increases over time.
