Deschutes River Trail to temporarily close near Ryan Ranch for improvements
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Beginning Monday, June 8, a section of the Deschutes River Trail on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest will temporarily close for improvements.
The section of trail between Dillon Falls Boat Ramp and Slough Camp will be closed during the week to allow crews to move and compact gravel. This work will create a portion of the trail that will meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
The newly accessible trail will connect the ADA parking area and restroom to the overlook at the newly restored Ryan Ranch slough. The closure will begin on Monday, June 8 and end Friday, June 19.
During the closure, trail users will be directed to follow a re-route between the Dillon Falls Boat ramp and Slough Camp using Forest Roads 41_600 and 41_100.
Background
Ryan Ranch is an historic slough floodplain of the Deschutes River that has been drained and isolated from the river for over 90 years. The area was used historically by Native Americans and more recently as pasture after being homesteaded in the late 1800’s. The Forest Service acquired Ryan Ranch in 1946 and continued grazing on site as part of a federal grazing allotment until 1989.
The full ecological potential of the slough, including historic habitat for the Oregon spotted frog, has been limited by a berm that prevents the river from inundating the floodplain on a regular basis. Completing the ADA trail allows for better public access to view the many migratory and nesting waterfowl, amphibians and ungulates who live in and move through the restored slough.
