Flooding hits areas along Lower Deschutes, John Day
Varying degrees of flooding have occurred in numerous portions of the Lower Deschutes and John Day rivers over the past several days, the Bureau of Land Management reported Thursday after a survey of affected areas.
Prineville BLM Recreation staff have surveyed as many sites as possible that are accessible by land and have made initial assessments.
People planning on recreating in these areas over the next several days should be aware of conditions and make alternate plans as needed, the agency said.
At this point, BLM sites along the Crooked River are accessible. BLM will continue to update information on the Prineville District webpage at https://www.blm.gov/office/prineville-district-office and current site information will be available by calling their office at (541) 416-6700.
The following sites are flooded or partially flooded on the Lower Deschutes River:
Trout Creek: Partially flooded; 2 campsites flooded with water around picnic tables
Nena: Partially flooded; boat ramp partially flooded with minimal room to turn around. Currently no impact to campsites.
Long Bend: Partially flooded; boat ramp partially flooded but there is still room to turn around. Currently no impact to campsites.
Harpham Flat: Partially flooded; boat ramp partially flooded but there is still room to turn around. Currently no impact to campsites.
Wapinitia: Fully Flooded and three camp sites are under water. Toilets have not been compromised. Cones have been placed at the entrance to prevent acces.
Gray Eagle: Partially flooded with minor flooding at the picnic tables.
Lower Blue Hole: Partially flooded with minor flooding around the picnic tables.
Oak Springs: Partially flooded; two campsites flooded with water around the picnic tables.
Sandy Beach: Fully flooded and cones are placed at entrance to prevent access. Toilets aren’t compromised. Public on the river can still exit; however, vehicles will have to back down the road to load boats as there is no turnaround.
Buckhollow: Fully flooded and site is unusable as turnaround space is under water. Area is coned off. Toilets aren’t compromised.
Beavertail: No flooding; however, boat ramp has debris from flooding around it.
Macks Canyon: Partially flooded, with minor flooding at boat ramp. Concrete boat ramp is usable; however, the upstream ramp and parking area are flooded up to the kiosk. Campsites and toilets aren’t compromised.
The following sites are flooded or partially flooded on the John Day River (note roads in area prevented staff from accessing and evaluating some sites):
Monument: This whole site is flooded and the toilet may be compromised.
Big Bend: Could not access yet. Campground may be flooded.
Lone Pine: Could not access yet.
Shady Grove: Could not access yet.
Mule Shoe: Good condition
Service Creek: Minor flooding, with one campsite under water. The toilets have not been compromised.
Twickenham: Good condition
Priest Hole: 1-2 campsites are fully flooded and the toilet has not been compromised. The access road is hazardous and should be avoided. Expect to be coned off today.
Upper Burnt Ranch: Site is fully flooded and a table has been lost.
Lower Burnt Ranch: Good condition
Clarno: Good condition
Thirtymile: Unable to Access
MacDonald Crossing Unable to Access. Potentially very flooded, including a compromised toilet.
