Deschutes Flood Advisory Extended Again

The National Weather Service has extended its flood advisory for central Deschutes County until 9 a.m. Saturday due to continued high water levels on the Deschutes River in the Tumalo area.

Forecasters said the water levels on the river between Bend and Tumalo “remained near steady overnight, while slowly falling on the Little Deschutes River” to the south (upstream).

The Deschutes is expected to fall over the next couple of days. Until then, forecasters said, minor flooding will continue along the river from Highway 20 to Tumalo Road.

Earlier, the NWS noted that “irrigation canals across Central Oregon will be opening over the weekend, and as the water moves into them, it will also help to alleviate the high water.”

The Deschutes was running high and strong through Tumalo Wednesday, seeping into yards and creeping closer to houses. Many residents watched the water rise cautiously, but said they’ve seen it higher in the past — though not lately.

Some people said it brings back fearful memories of major flooding in 1997.

“It usually runs down quite a bit lower, and in the summertime, it just runs super-low,” said Jim Mooers, who’s lived in his house near the Deschutes River for the past 26 years.

Mooers had his house raised a few feet after flooding in 1997 caused significant damage.

“I’m not too worried about it this time,” Mooers said. “I’ve raised my house, and it’s up so that even if the flood ran, it would probably be fine. It was really bad last time, we had to save the house and we barely did.”

Next door to Mooers’ home, another Tumalo resident, Wendy Kelley, moved her patio furniture away from the water’s edge, hoping the flow doesn’t affect her livestock.

“Well, it is strong — it always is this time of year,” Kelley said. “It is higher than normal, but I’ve seen it higher. I’ve been scared before, but I’m not scared now.”

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies went door to door Sunday, warning people along that river there could be flooding.

Deschutes Basin Watermaster Jeremy Giffin said the high flow was expected, because the upper basin reservoirs were full and they had no choice but to release water into the river.

“The flood water should start to subside by Friday night into the weekend,” Giffin said. “However, when the (irrigation) canal turns on Monday morning, we should see a dramatic drop in the flooding concerns.”

Giffin said they can’t divert the water just yet, because the county has very specific plans when it comes to their schedule.

“The irrigation systems have set dates, when they have their staff ready to take that water for irrigation purposes,” said Giffin. “The canals were not put in place for flood control purposes.”

And for those living along the river, all they can do is hope the water doesn’t come any closer.

The water flow is expected to peak Thursday night and into Friday morning. The cold weather is helping the situation, because warmer temperatures would cause snow to melt and create even more water flow.