The Deschutes River is a thread that weaves the fabric of the community together. It runs for eight miles through the middle of the urban area, and flows past industrial, commercial, mixed-use, parks, and all categories of residential lands.

The river has served many needs of the community, and in doing so, has become a common reference for the citizens. The Deschutes River was used to transport and store logs for the two sawmills south of downtown. It is a source of water for agricultural lands and power for homes. It has been the setting for recreation, community festivals, and entertainment for decades. With stretches of both fast-moving and still waters, the Deschutes River provides food and home for wildlife, and a respite for humans from the pressures of work and life.

The importance of the river is underscored by state and local actions. In 1983 Deschutes County and Bend established a moratorium on hydroelectric facilities and created the Deschutes Basin Task Force committee to study the natural resources of the Deschutes River and its tributaries. The reports and other studies produced by this task force are background documents for this Plan, and the work from this committee influenced the development of rules to protect the river resources. Policy recommendations from the Task Force are included in a separate section of policies in this chapter and also included in the Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan.

In 1988 a statewide voters’ initiative added several miles of the Deschutes River to the state’s scenic waterway program, including about two and one-half miles within the urban area. The area from the south urban growth boundary line to the Central Oregon Irrigation district diversion is classified as the South Bend River Community Area in the state’s scenic waterway program. At the other end of the urban area, the stretch of river from the south edge of Sawyer Park to the north urban growth boundary is classified as the North Bend River Community Area. Both scenic waterway areas are considered significant “Goal 5” resources under Oregon’s land use planning program. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has the authority to review and approve any development along these scenic waterway segments. In addition to the river segments protected by the State, the City recognizes the significance of the north and south river canyons for their beauty and recreational opportunities. Both the north and south river canyons have been included in the City’s inventory as a “Goal 5” scenic resource.

In the early 1990s the city and county adopted special Deschutes River Corridor development standards to recognize and respect the unusual natural beauty and character of the Deschutes River. The city has also adopted a Mixed-use Riverfront zone that allows for the redevelopment of land along the river previously used by sawmills. This zoning district is designed to enhance the natural character of the river and to encourage access to and the enjoyment of the river corridor.