The Last 100 Miles: Fight for Lower Deschutes River

The Last 100 Miles: The Fight for the Lower Deschutes  River

 portrays the degradation of one of the world’s finest trout and salmon sanctuaries. The Deschutes River is fed by rain and snow from the rugged mountains of central and eastern Oregon. Dams built 60 years ago wiped out prolific salmon and steelhead runs. Yet, the remaining 100 miles of free-flowing river became one of the region’s beloved whitewater adventure and fishing destinations.

“We love this river,” says local naturalist and fishing guide Amy Hazel, who has lived near the Deschutes for 30 years. “It means everything to us, so we’re going to do everything in our power to save it.” Hazel, alongside a trio of water and fisheries scientists, were puzzled by signs of trouble they observed in the river after Portland General Electric altered operations of the Pelton-Round Butte hydroelectric dam complex in 2010. Those changes have put the last 100 miles of the Deschutes River at risk.

Unlike many modern ecological problems, this one can be fixed. 

The Last 100 Miles

 depicts individuals who love the Deschutes River and are raising their voices together.