Who protects the headwaters?
Tumalo Falls captured by Jeff Finley.
Where Rivers Begin and End: Protecting headwaters, ephemeral streams, and tributaries in a changing climate
As the season turns to autumn, the cooler temperatures bring a welcome shift away from our region’s record-breaking summer.
Looking around Central Oregon this past season has meant coming face to face with the impacts of climate change; extreme drought, disappearing glaciers, and low streamflows brought the concerns for our waterways into stark relief.
Amidst a changing climate, we find respite in the cool, spring-fed headwaters and mountain tributaries that flow from higher elevations into major waterways. As Tumalo Creek rushes into the Deschutes Rivers, it brings a flood of cold water with it. Our best hope for a future with climate change is to restore and protect the headwaters of the Deschutes River and its tributaries.
80% by 2080
A 2019 study, Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation in South Central Oregon, forecasts even bigger challenges for us in the future. Conducted by the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, the study indicates that our groundwater-driven hydrology will undergo significant change.
According to the study, “Decreased snowpack and earlier snowmelt will shift the timing and magnitude of streamflow.”
This means that spring water flows will be higher, and summer water flows will be much lower. Summer flows are projected to decline up to 60% by 2024 and up to 80% by 2080.
Lower flows in Central Oregon rivers and streams mean water temperatures will rise, threatening all our native fish species Mid-Columbia Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Redband Trout, Sockeye Salmon, and Bull Trout will all suffer if their habitat shrinks and rising water temperatures prevent successful spawning and rearing of these iconic fish species.
Now is a critical time to plan for the future and protect our delicate wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
The relief of cold water refugia
Whychus Creek captured by Caitlyn Burford
From Tumalo to Whychus Creek, Central Oregon’s tributaries carry critical cold, clean water to the Deschutes.
That's why LandWatch continues to work to restore the amount of water flowing through these vital tributaries. Some of our current efforts, for example, have focused on the importance of increasing flows in Tumalo Creek.
With the conserved water from Tumalo Irrigation District's (TID) canal piping projects, more water can flow in through last two miles of the creek. These increased stream flows will reconnect the creek to the Deschutes River and restore this part of the river system.
This improves habitat in Tumalo Creek by providing critical cold water refugia for fish trying to survive in a world of rising temperatures. It also restores habitat in the Deschutes River, increasing water levels and lowering the temperature for the benefit of fish and wildlife below the confluence.
And there is another chance to increase protections for Central Oregon's streams with a bill now in Congress.
The River Democracy Act
When the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed in 1968, it did a great service to protect many free-flowing major rivers. However, currently, only 2% of Oregon’s rivers and streams are protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Many of our region’s smaller streams, tributaries, and headwaters were overlooked.
But there is good news on the horizon. Earlier this year, Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley introduced the River Democracy Act to Congress to add protections on 4,700 miles of cherished rivers, streams, and tributaries.
Central Oregon LandWatch nominated Tumalo Creek and its tributaries and several tributaries to the Metolius River for consideration in this bill. If passed by Congress, 24.7 miles along Tumalo Creek and 36 additional miles along the Metolius tributaries would be designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
For the future of the places where our rivers begin and end, show your support for the River Democracy Act today.
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