Water Quality Monitoring

From 2001 through 2009 we worked with more than 20 local partners to collect and analyze water quality data from over 200 stations across 18 watersheds in the Upper Deschutes Basin. Water quality data reflect the chemical, physical, and biological health of our watersheds and allow partners to track trends in water quality over time, evaluate the effectiveness of restoration projects, and identify emerging water quality issues that may affect watershed health and salmon and trout spawning, rearing and migration.

Since 2010, we have continued to monitor water temperature in association with streamflow restoration projects in the middle Deschutes River and in Whychus Creek. Temperature is a good indicator of key water quality parameters (such as dissolved oxygen), is directly influenced by streamflow restoration, and is the limiting factor for reintroduced salmon and trout.

All water quality monitoring data are available for download here and are submitted to the State of Oregon on a regular basis so this information can be available for conservation and restoration planning in the region.