Riverbend South Restoration

The constructed river access locations are designed to appear natural and fit the unique high desert river environment yet are engineered to be durable to withstand heavy recreational traffic and river scour without maintenance. This reach of river is enjoyed by hundreds of people every day using multi-use trails along the river to access informal watercraft launch points, and swimming areas, and to enjoy the river experience.

ESA is working with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council (UDWC) and Bend Park & Recreation District (BPRD) to improve recreational river access and restore sensitive riparian areas along over a quarter mile of the Deschutes River at Riverbend Park. Three river access locations have been constructed to improve the experience for a variety of river users. An innovative feature at one key access point is the inclusion of an informal transfer station constructed of natural stone, designed to ease river access for people with disabilities. The constructed river access locations are designed to appear natural and fit the unique high desert river environment yet are engineered to be durable to withstand heavy recreational traffic and river scour without maintenance.

The project is a critical habitat for the Oregon spotted frog, a listed threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. ESA worked in coordination with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) biologists to design an inset marsh bench to provide additional Oregon spotted frog habitat, expanding the wetted area of the Deschutes River into an existing denuded area. The design was reviewed with input from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), USFWS, and the City of Bend. The project attracted funding from a variety of sources in addition to BPRD funds, including Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) grants for both design and implementation and a private foundation grant.