Forward Momentum on the Deschutes

At Native Fish Society, we are gearing up for our biggest year yet on the Deschutes! We see our path forward as three-pronged: 

1. Develop the case for removal of Pelton Round Butte. Twenty years ago, few people would believe that the Klamath dams would be coming out, yet here we are, on the brink of a free-flowing Klamath. We see the Klamath dam removals serving as a blueprint for the removal of the Pelton Round Butte complex.

2. Ensure the management of the lower Deschutes protects native, wild fish to the greatest extent possible. We will be embarking on a number of scientific endeavors in the lower river, with input from the community, to inform our management advocacy.

3. Work with partner organizations to improve habitat on lower Deschutes tributaries. Until the dams are out and fish can once again access the spring-fed habitat in the Metolius, Crooked, and middle Deschutes, improving habitat on lower river tributaries such as Trout Creek will be a priority.

We’re excited to embark on this new portfolio of work in the Deschutes. As many of you know, the Deschutes has long been the heart and soul of the work of Native Fish Society, with our founder, Bill Bakke, taking an active role in fish advocacy in the Deschutes over 25 years ago. Though we haven’t always been as vocal about our actions, we’ve never lost our deep, abiding love for the Deschutes.

This year, we look forward to sharing our love of the river with you and can’t wait to invite you to work with us as our projects get underway. Stay tuned as we share updates and opportunities for you to contribute to the revival of the Deschutes. Let's make this our biggest year yet for the homewaters we all hold dear!

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Take a look at a few photos of the lower Deschutes prior to the construction of Pelton Round Butte from the Oregon Historical Library:

Source: Oregon Historical Society | Name of creator: Portland General Electric Company