How will climate change affect local rivers?
Changing climate could hurt late-summer flows
In addition to bringing longer wildfire seasons and warmer winters to Central Oregon, climate change stands to fundamentally alter the … Read more
Deschutes River to appear on postage stamp in 2019
Commemorative stamps celebrate Deschutes, other scenic rivers
The Deschutes River has appeared on postcards, in coffee table books and everywhere in between. … Read more
Federal government moves forward on sage grouse plans friendly to grazing
Proposal would open up nearly 22,000 acres in Oregon for grazing
Federal plans to allow grazing on nearly 22,000 acres of protected sage grouse habitat in … Read more
Forest Service removing berm along Deschutes River Trail to restore floodplain
Ryan Ranch project to provide habitat for spotted frog, other species
Workers began removing a troublesome berm along the banks of the Deschutes River on Thursday, … Read more
OSU climate change report a mixed bag for Central Oregon forests
Report predicts more drought, wildfire than average in parts of Central, Eastern Oregon
A new report produced by Oregon State University paints a surprisingly rosy picture for many … Read more
Bend among Oregon cities most likely to be threatened by wildfire
More than 40,000 homes in, near Bend carry wildfire risk, report says
Bend and its surrounding communities carry the fourth-highest risk of being affected by wildfire in … Read more
How many wild horses should the Ochocos hold?
Advocates clash with Forest Service over unique horses
Even in the dappled light of a November morning in the Ochoco National Forest, the … Read more
Restrictions coming to wilderness trailheads
Forest Service draft decision calls for day-use quotas at 30 popular trailheads
New rules and restrictions are coming to some of the most sensitive areas of the … Read more
Low flows, dry winter could spell trouble for Crooked River fish
Managers must balance water storage for irrigation against the needs of fish
It could be a tough winter for redband trout and other fish living in the … Read more
‘Very high threat’ volcanoes loom over Central Oregon
Government report states 4 of 18 highest-threat volcanoes are in Oregon
Four of the 18 volcanoes U.S. geologists consider the nation’s most threatening are in Oregon, … Read more
El Niño could bring warm, dry winter to Central Oregon
Snowfall varies widely in El Niño years
As winter approaches, the evidence suggesting another low-snow year for Central Oregon and much of … Read more
A tale of extremes: Central Oregon’s 2018 fire season
Fire season in Sherman, Wasco counties ‘one for the books’
While several wildfires are still burning across Oregon, including the resurgent Klondike Fire in the … Read more
Dam leak turns Bend’s Mirror Pond into mudflat
Repairs to begin in early November
Bend residents visiting Mirror Pond recently saw exposed berms and portions of the bank normally … Read more
Federal money flows into Deschutes Basin piping projects
USDA-backed project gets going near Tumalo, others planned
With the summer irrigation season winding down and the winter snowfall still on the horizon, … Read more
Changing climate could bring larger fires to Oregon
Climate report portends global changes sooner than anticipated
A report on climate change from a United Nations environmental panel suggests serious impacts could … Read more
Metolius preserve will now be managed by Central Oregon environmentalists
Land contains unique habitat, plants from Eastern, Western Oregon
CAMP SHERMAN — Along the banks of a far-flung stretch of the Metolius River, where … Read more
Dam lawsuit battle moves closer to a conclusion
Federal judge upholds prior decision for Pelton-Round Butte Dam complex
The yearslong battle over one of Central Oregon’s oldest dam complexes could be nearing a … Read more
Dropping water reveals decades of trash at Wickiup
“Wickiup Pickiup” to take advantage of low water levels at reservoir
Declining water levels at Wickiup Reservoir have shattered records and prompted concerns from irrigation districts … Read more
Ponderosa pines coming down outside Sisters
ODOT crews start cutting down hazardous trees
Work crews with the Oregon Department of Transportation began cutting down standing dead and dying … Read more
Environmental groups push to ban ‘cyanide bombs’ in Oregon
Cyanide capsules also harm pets, humans, groups tell state, federal agencies
Nearly 100 private citizens and environmental groups in Oregon and beyond are pushing back against … Read more
Study: Climate change could more than halve Mt. Bachelor ski season
What climate change means for snow sports
Within the next 70 years, snow melt triggered by climate change could devastate snow sports … Read more
Drought marks one of Central Oregon’s warmest summers
Summer months are the fifth-driest in Bend history
Saturday marked the formal transition to fall, officially ending one of the hottest and driest … Read more
Building dams to help beavers return
Volunteers build dams that encourage beavers to return to historic habitat
Beavers play an important role in salvaging Central and Eastern Oregon watersheds that have been … Read more
Smoke keeps visitors away from Crater Lake
Visits to national park down almost 9 percent through August
Smoke from wildfires has caused problems across Oregon this summer, canceling events and forcing residents … Read more
Fewer fires started by people in August, state agency says
10 percent fewer fires started by people on ODF-managed land in August
It’s been an up-and-down summer for Oregon fire managers trying to limit the number of … Read more
Wickiup Reservoir at lowest level since early 1990s
Reservoir levels prompt concern from farmers, irrigation districts
Water levels at Central Oregon’s largest reservoir are lower than they’ve been in 27 years. … Read more
Forest Service finds rotting timbers on Wildcat Camp Bridge
Bridge is closed to vehicles over 5 tons
The only route into one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ochoco National Forest … Read more
East Lake Campground closing for tree removal
East Lake campground and boat launch will close on Thursday in preparation for a U.S. … Read more
Magistrate recommends rejection of plan for Ochoco trails
A U.S. District Court judge must still rule on the plan, however
A controversial proposal to establish a network of trails for off-highway motorized vehicles in the … Read more
Wolf pups spotted in north Central Oregon
Pups could help form region’s first pack in decades
Central Oregon’s first resident gray wolf pair in decades was spotted earlier this month with … Read more
Increased use brings trash, fire risk to Phil’s Trailhead
Concerns about problems near popular trails west of Bend
About 100 yards from the road leading to Phil’s Trailhead, a large pile of 2-year-old … Read more
Smoky conditions to linger for at least one more day
State environmental agency extends smoke advisories for Central, Eastern Oregon
The wildfire smoke in Bend and across Central and Eastern Oregon is likely to linger … Read more
Oregonians could see more smoke in spring and fall
State proposes looser restrictions on controlled burns
More smoke from prescribed fires could be on the way to Central Oregon and other … Read more
New rules would allow slacklining, drones in parks
New rules proposed at Bend parks would come with restrictions
Slackliners, drone-hobbyists and other groups may soon have more clarity about what they can and … Read more
Fires to the north bring smoke back to Central Oregon
Smoke in Bend mostly from fires in Washington, British Columbia
Central Oregonians awoke Monday morning to a new round of wildfire smoke blanketing the area. … Read more
