Deschutes River Alliance

Deschutes River Alliance The Deschutes River Alliance is a non-profit conservation organization working to acquire cooler, cleaner water for the lower Deschutes River.

Our Mission
The Deschutes River Alliance is a science-based advocacy organization seeking collaborative solutions to the threats facing the Wild and Scenic Deschutes River and its tributaries. We advocate for cooler, cleaner water, a healthy ecosystem, and the recovery and protection of robust populations of resident and anadromous fish. Our vision is simple. A lower Deschutes River that is the confluence of a healthy ecosystem, sustainable economy and vibrant community.

Have some photos in your camera reel you've been wanting to share? A majestic shot of the Deschutes? A close up of an im...
09/03/2026

Have some photos in your camera reel you've been wanting to share? A majestic shot of the Deschutes? A close up of an impressive catch? Maybe a night on the river bank with friends camping beneath the star?

Here at the Deschutes River Alliance we value not just the river but the communities and the lives built around it. Check out the link below to submit photos to our community photo reel. Selections will be posted once per month.

Photo Submission Link:
https://forms.gle/6SUSU3gTUXwt3Fa87

Water Quality Update for the weekof September 3rd, 2026pH levels in the lower Deschutes River are too high.Above 8.5, da...
09/02/2026

Water Quality Update for the week
of September 3rd, 2026

pH levels in the lower Deschutes River are too high.
Above 8.5, damage to the slimy coating that protects
fish can occur. The delicate membranes of the gills can
be damaged. Physiological stress that weakens the
immune system and harms growth and reproduction
are also consequences of water high in alkalinity. The
DRA has observed pH levels come into compliance
when cooler, cleaner water flows into the lower river.
We need more of it, more often.

Bug of the Month: Saddle-case Caddis (Family Glossosomatidae, Genus,Glossosoma)These little critters are an often overlo...
09/01/2026

Bug of the Month: Saddle-case Caddis (Family Glossosomatidae, Genus,
Glossosoma)

These little critters are an often overlooked part of the vibrant ecosystem that make the Deschutes river a vibrant home for all shapes and sizes of life.

Learn more using the link in our bio, read our full blog post, shop our store and learn more about the kind of work the Deschutes River Alliance is doing to protect the river for future generations.

"That is our responsibility as anglers: to stand up for the fish that we believe in." -Bill McMillanBill, who pioneered ...
08/28/2026

"That is our responsibility as anglers: to stand up for the fish that we believe in."
-Bill McMillan

Bill, who pioneered fishing for steelhead on a floating line in the Pacific Northwest, alongside Randy Stetzer, John Hazel, Bill Bakke and Steve Pettit--steelhead masters all--took the stage June 9th at the Mission Theater in Portland. Their stories made us laugh as often as their words inspired us.

Thanks to filmmaker Jim Stanek, you can now watch it on Vimeo.

Check it out at: https://www.deschutesriveralliance.org/shop/p/steelhead-masters-recording-coming-soon or at link in bio.

Historically, fall Chinook are the Deschutes River's most abundant anadromous species. You'll be fascinated by a deep d...
08/26/2026

Historically, fall Chinook are the Deschutes River's most abundant anadromous species. You'll be fascinated by a deep dive into into their life history, unique spawning habitat, and numbers in the river.

Catch it all on our blog. Click the link in our bio

Water Quality Update for the week of August 26th, 2026pH levels in the lower Deschutes River are too high. Above 8.5, da...
08/26/2026

Water Quality Update for the week of August 26th, 2026

pH levels in the lower Deschutes River are too high. Above 8.5, damage to the slimy coating that protects fish can occur. The delicate membranes of the gills can be damaged. Physiological stress that weakens the immune system and harms growth and reproduction are also consequences of water high in alkalinity. The DRA has observed pH levels come into compliance when cooler, cleaner water flows into the lower river. We need more of it, more often.

To learn more about the Deschutes River Alliance and how we are working to make a better future for the lower Deschutes and the communities that are a part of it click the link in our bio and read more on our site.

A big thank you to Anna R., for providing our community photo album with gorgeous pictures of their trip exploring the D...
08/20/2026

A big thank you to Anna R., for providing our community photo album with gorgeous pictures of their trip exploring the Deschutes!

"Our first self guided overnighter, Warm Springs to Maupin"

If you would be interested in submitting your photos for consideration and telling us about your adventures on the Deschutes use the link below.
https://forms.gle/MsZmkNWULtjnk3mp8

Water Quality Update for the week of August 19th, 2026pH levels in the lower Deschutes River are too high. Above 8.5, da...
08/19/2026

Water Quality Update for the week of August 19th, 2026

pH levels in the lower Deschutes River are too high. Above 8.5, damage to the slimy coating that protects fish can occur. The delicate membranes of the gills can be damaged. Physiological stress that weakens the immune system and harms growth and reproduction are also consequences of water high in alkalinity. The DRA has observed pH levels come into compliance when cooler, cleaner water flows into the lower river. We need more of it, more often.

To learn more about the Deschutes River Alliance and how we are working to make a better future for the lower Deschutes and the communities that are a part of it click the link in our bio and read more on our site.

"The better part of a century ago, Aldo Leopold wrote, “one of the penalties of an ecological education is that one live...
08/18/2026

"The better part of a century ago, Aldo Leopold wrote, “one of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.” Ecology was not as widely taught or learned back then. A lot more is known, and a lot more people know the science behind what a river requires to be healthy. The world of wounds these days doesn’t derive as much from Leopold’s loneliness of solitary knowing. The pain partly stems from the frustration of a more widely shared knowledge of what needs to be done, and seeing it remain undone, season after season, and witnessing ongoing deterioration rather than recovery. It turns out that river management policy, which on the surface seems simply a matter of implementing the best available science, is oftentimes more vexing than understanding the science. "

Read the full blog on Wednesday, August 19th on our website using the link in our bio and learn more about the impacts of the closure of the Steelhead season.

At the Deschutes River Alliance we are working hard to protect the lower Deschutes and the diverse communities that rely...
08/14/2026

At the Deschutes River Alliance we are working hard to protect the lower Deschutes and the diverse communities that rely on it. Part of that work is reflected in our weekly water quality updates where we track various environmental metrics including PH, temperature and oxygen saturation and compare them against environmental standards.

Our LIVE, water quality monitoring stations offer real-time data that is available to the public on our website, along with information on how we are working to combat these adverse conditions developing along the lower Deschutes.

Click the link in our bio to learn more.

Address

5520 South Macadam Avenue, Suite 100
Portland, OR
97239

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