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Photo by Jason Offutt The mood at Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak was relaxed as a group of paddling enthusiasts enjoyed the warmth of a summer afternoon next to the Deschutes River, taking time out to share their favorite hobby with friends over barbecue and music. But without warning, the mellow atmosphere was shattered as shouts of “Spillway!” brought everyone’s attention to the Colorado Avenue Bridge. Geoff Frank, owner of Alder Creek Canoe and Kayak, sprinted to the scene, as others followed closely behind. Frank’s place of business is right next to the spillway, which claimed the life of a woman in 2006 and has had several other near-drownings as floaters and paddlers have stayed in the river rather than navigate to the take-out on the nearby bank. Frank and the crowd came upon a man hanging from the steel spillway with his legs in the river just yards from a downstream pile of steel, concrete, rocks and rebar. The rescuers reached over the bridge, grabbing his arm in an adrenaline-fueled attempt to lift him to safety. Unfortunately, the powerful river dragged the man further down until he slipped through the rescuers’ grasp and fell into the river. The crowd darted to the other side of the bridge where, after a few anxious moments, the rapids flushed the man through. He collided with rocks and concrete along the way, but luckily wasn’t pinned down in the structure, where he might’ve drowned. He surfaced dazed, confused and terrified, but grateful to be alive. A person on the shore threw a rope and pulled him onto the shore safely. This scene has been repeated year after year since the opening of Bend’s Farewell Park in 2004. The park has allowed more convenient river access for locals and tourists, and hundreds of people can be seen on this popular stretch of the Deschutes in summer months floating on everything from inflatable mattresses to paddleboards. Because of this increased use, the spillway at Colorado Bridge has become one of the biggest hazards on the Deschutes River. The Bend Paddle Trail Alliance, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, has been working to address the problem of the hazardous spillway, and safety on all local waterways in general. Founded in 2005, the BPTA is partnering with various organizations to create the Deschutes Paddle Trail in Central Oregon. The trail will encompass the Deschutes River within Deschutes County, several stretches of the Little Deschutes and nine of the High Cascade Lakes. In spring of 2008, with help from grants, sponsors and donations, the BPTA released the first comprehensive guides for paddlers of the rivers and lakes of Deschutes County. The guides were a much-needed resource for recreational paddlers. They proved to be so informative that the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office purchased one for each officer in the Search and Rescue unit. The sheriff’s office even converted the guides’ GPS data for rapids, hazards and access points to their computer system to allow their Search and Rescue unit the most updated and accurate information. The next step for the BPTA is to design and place signs at all access points, including BLM and State Park land, as well as within Bend’s urban growth boundary. Signs are scheduled to be posted this spring and summer to allow for less confusion and better safety while recreating on the High Lakes and Deschutes River. While educating the public is a key role of the BPTA, eliminating the problem of the Colorado Bridge spillway remains a major mission for the group. Signs will help increase awareness, but they may not be the long-term fix for the spillway. After the 2006 drowning, large warning signs were placed on and before the bridge, cautioning people to get out of the river and get back in on the other side to avoid the obstacle. Despite the warning signs, people still continue to miss the portage and float through the structure. The Bend Paddle Trail Alliance’s ultimate goal is to remove the spillway. The group has been working with local residents, property owners, and other organizations on a long-term solution to the problem at the Colorado Bridge. One recent sign of progress has been the Bend Parks and Recreational Department’s feasibility study by Gary Lacey of Recreational, Planning and Engineering. The study consists of a proposal to remove the spillway and create a safe flowing channel that inner tubers and recreational paddlers can safely navigate. It also includes a separate channel consisting of waves where whitewater kayakers can surf. These features have been created in other towns across the country, spurring economic growth for their local businesses. It is estimated that the features in Reno have brought in about 10 million dollars to their local economy! The Deschutes River has become an important part of why Bend is such a great place to live and visit. The BPTA hopes to make the The Deschutes Paddle Trail an enjoyable experience for all river users, from the whitewater enthusiast to the family floating on an inflatable mattress on a hot July day. Information: www.bendpaddletrailalliance.org, www.wwparks.com, www.deschutespaddletrail.info |
Summer 2009 issue
House Exemplifies Smith Rock Living