Deschutes Basin

"Bordered by the Cascade Range to the west, this basin includes the Lava Lands, high Cascade lakes, wild and scenic waterways, and a rapidly growing human population. Tourism, agriculture, forestry, ranching, and the high technology industry dominate the economy of the basin. The Deschutes River hosts world famous trout and steelhead fisheries. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation operate Kah-Nee-Ta Lodge, a lumber mill and an outstanding native culture museum. Pelton, Round Butte, Ochoco, and Prineville dams generate electricity and block fish runs to the upper basin. Bull trout and steelhead are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Fed by snowfields of the Cascade and Ochoco Ranges, the basin’s headwaters flow through high elevation wet meadows and lava plains before dropping through scenic canyons and shrub steppe. Irrigated agriculture, rangeland, and wheat lands lie along the Lower Deschutes."

Content featured on the Oregon Explorer, "Learn about Places: Deschutes Basin" site, information compiled by science writing consultant John Ame.