The September 1 Crooked River meeting call notes came out last week. They did not contain any material discussion about the end of irrigation season and anticipated flows so I made a few inquiries to various agencies. Well, the holiday weekend and another fishing trip got in the way, but I have now heard back from most and can say that the outlook is concerning.

Flows in the Crooked had a big, abrupt drop last week due to North Unit Irrigation District running out of their allocation of water in Prineville Reservoir. Flows dropped again today, my speculation is this is due to lower calls from Ochoco Irrigation District as their season winds down and the recent cooler, wetter weather. (I did complain to the Bureau of Reclamation that the recent large drops were sudden, rather than smooth ramp downs as required in the Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan. Not that my complaint will do any good.)

OID’s board is scheduled to meet on September 21 where they will make the call on the end of irrigation season. Given the low levels in Prineville Reservoir it seems extremely unlikely that the season will extend to the normal October 15 shut off date. Another agency speculated that OID will stop releases on October 1. Also, at the September 1 meeting a commitment was made to keep at least 20 cfs in the Crooked until October 15 which strongly indicates irrigation season ending early.

Two weeks with flows at 20 cfs is certainly better than the 10 cfs that was in the river in 2022*, which lead to a significant fish kill, but that’s not saying much. 20 cfs could easily lead to another kill, especially if there is warm weather during that period. Oregon Department of Wildlife told me that they are going to watch this closely and may close the river to fishing during these low flows. It is also important to note that spring chinook are currently spawning in the river. A dramatic drop in flows will undoubtedly expose their redds.

After October 15 the DBHCP requires that flows into the Crooked be at a minimum of 50 cfs. (ODFW says 80 cfs is the minimum needed for a healthy ecosystem.) I could be wrong, but there does not seem to be enough water for that. US Fish & Wildlife Service sets the flows during non-irrigation season, but they have not responded to my inquiries. Other have speculated that flows will vary between 35 and 50 cfs.

*I have many posts about the 2022 fish kill. You could start with this one and this one.

For what it’s worth, today Central Oregon Irrigation District announced that they will continue water deliveries until either October 14th or 15th depending on which main canal is being used. Water deliveries will be reduced, however, on September 15th and again on October 1st. Of course, COID has already reduced deliveries at least twice this year that I know of.

On a brighter note, while there has been so much disheartening news lately for anglers (I am so bummed by the steelhead closures on the Deschutes and John Day), there is still joy to be found. I returned yesterday from yet another multi day trip where I caught many beautiful big trout like this one. Good fishing, nice camping, wonderful wildlife viewing, you just have to enjoy life even if it is grimm all around you.