Seen one dam, seen 'em all?: the surprising story of the Deschutes River.

Abstract

In the next few decades, hundreds of private dams will be relicensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Many of them are on or influence Forest Service lands. Relicensing requires rigorous technical assessments of the effects of dams on critical resources, including channels, aquatic habitat, water quality, and recreation. Dams differ widely in their influence on these resources, and predicting their consequences is critical. Researchers at the Pacific Northwest Research Station examined the effects of the Pelton-Round Butte Dam complex on the gemorphology of the Deschutes River in central Oregon. The purpose was partly to study the effects of this particular dam on this particular river, but also to develop and test theory, concepts, and tools that would apply to dam assessments anywhere. The results--minimal impacts on the channel downstream--surprised researchers and revealed how close are the lines between geomorphology and hydrology in this river system.

Citation

Duncan, Sally. 2000. Seen one dam, seen ''em all?: the surprising story of the Deschutes River. Science Findings. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. June (25): 1-5