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Lower Deschutes River Management System

What is the Lower Deschutes River Management System (LDRMS)? 

The LDRMS is a natural resource management plan & limited entry permit system designed to protect the river and surrounding natural resources.

How does it work? 

The limited entry system requires that each person on a watercraft or other floating device purchase a Boater Pass, with access restricted to a limited number of boaters on some segments during peak use periods. 

Boater Passes 
Required year-round for day and overnight use for each person on a watercraft/floating device for transport on the Lower Deschutes River from Pelton Dam to Moody Island rapids near I-84 and the Columbia River. 
 
Tribal Permits​
Needed per person if launching or landing, even if for only a brief moment, at either Harpham Flat or Sandy Beach. 

Moody Island Boater Pass/Permit
Valid downstream from Moody Rapid (between the Deschutes River State Recreation Area campground and across the river to Heritage Landing). Purchase at the self-pay kiosks at Heritage Landing. The per person pass is required for recreation on Moody Island, Moody Rapids, and surrounding river area to Heritage Landing boat ramp. ($2/per person/per day)
 
Heritage to Columbia Boater Pass/Permit ​
This per person pass is required for the Heritage Landing boat ramp and Deschutes River to where the Deschutes River joins the Columbia River. Purchase at the self-pay kiosk at the Heritage Landing boat ramp ($1/per person/per day).  A $15 annual pass may be purchased online.

Aquatic Invasive Species
Oregon State Marine board requires operators of all 10 foot or longer manually powered boats to carry this permit.  This includes drift boats, kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc. 
 
Fishing License
Needed if fishing anywhere within the Deschutes River, regardless of whether from land or water.


What do I need if I am floating the river with 2 other people only in the area south of Moody Island Rapids and NOT using Tribal sites?
You will need 1 boater pass per person, as well as 1 Aquatic Invasive Species Permit per boat.

What does our family of 5 need to float the river and briefly stop at Harpham and Sandy beaches, ending our float prior to Moody Island Rapids?
You will need 5 Boater Passes (1 per person), 1 Tribal Permit per boat, and 1 Aquatic Invasive Species Permit per boat.

What permits do we need if we're floating the river and end our day hanging out in the Moody Island area?
You will need 1 Boater Pass per person on the float, 1 Moody Island Permit per person, and 1 Aquatic Invasive Species Permit per boat.

What do we need to float the Deschutes River from south of Moody Island Rapids to where the Deschutes River joins the Columbia River?
You will need 1 Boater Pass per person on the float, 1 Heritage to Columbia Permit per person, and 1 Aquatic Invasive Species Permit per boat.

What do I need if all I'm doing is launching from  a non-Tribal boat ramp and fishing in the Deschutes without really floating anywhere else?
You will need 1 Boater Pass per person on the watercraft, 1 Aquatic Invasive Species Permit per boat, and a Fishing License for each person fishing.

Which agencies enforce the passes and permits?
Permit inspections and land and water patrols are regularly conducted by multiple county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.  Please abide by the rules, and have your permits ready for spot checks.

Where can I find and read all the rules and regulations?
Boater are responsible for reading and understanding the Rules and Regulations  for the Lower Deschutes River Corridor. Also, review Division 30 Scenic Waterway Rules​ and the Lower Deschutes Scenic Waterway Oregon Administrative Rules 

Who oversees the system?  

The LDRMS is managed cooperatively by representatives from: 
  • Bureau of Land Management
    Lisa Clark, Deschutes Field Office Manager
    (541) 416-6864
  • Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
    Ross Kihs, District Manager
    (541) 997-6067
  • Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs
    Austin Smith, General Manager of Branch of Natural Resources
    (541) 553-2015
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs
    Bodie Shaw, Superintendent
    (503) 348-6323
  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
    Sara Gregory, Watershed Manager
    (541) 388-6017
  • Oregon State Police / Fish & Wildlife East Division
    Tim Schwartz
    (503) 791-5249
  • Local Government
    Scott Hege, Wasco Co. Commissioners
    (541) 288-1616
  • Oregon Marine Board
    Larry Warren, Director
    (503) 378-1616
The John Day - Snake River Resource Advisory Council and the Interagency Implementation Team  serve in an advisory role to the management group.  The Interagency Implementation Team is comprised of local, state, tribal and federal agency representatives. The LDRMS management roles and objectives are outlined in an Interagency Management Agreement and guidelines in the Lower Deschutes Management Plan and the Lower Deschutes Allocation System documents.

Agency Representatives

  • Bureau of Land Management
    Lisa Clark, Deschutes Field Office Manager
    (541) 416-6864
  • Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
    Ross Kihs, District Manager
    (541) 997-6067
  • Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs
    Austin Smith, General Manager of Branch of Natural Resources
    (541) 553-2015
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs
    Bodie Shaw, Superintendent
    (503) 348-6323
  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
    Sara Gregory, Watershed Manager
    (541) 388-6017
  • Oregon State Police / Fish & Wildlife East Division
    Tim Schwartz
    (503) 791-5249
  • Local Government
    Scott Hege, Wasco Co. Commissioners
    (541) 288-1616
  • Oregon Marine Board
    Larry Warren, Director
    (503) 378-1616

Management System Meetings

Virtual options for attending meetings will be posted.

2024 ITT Meetings

May 3
The Dalles, ODFW office

October 25
Maupin City Hall


2024 Manager Meetings

November 8, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Agenda
BLM - Prineville, OR
3050 NE 3rd
Prineville, OR 97754

Zoom: 881 5333 8536
Password: 116332


May 17, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Agenda

Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises
5180 Jackson Trail Road
Warm Springs, Oregon

ZOOM: 884 6244 6455
Password: 667418


General Boater Pass Questions

Bureau of Land Management
541-416-6700 

Resources

May 1991 - A joint River Management Plan developed by Federal, State, Tribal & County Governments.
 
1992 - Public Comment & Response to the May 1991 River Management Plan
 
1993 - A BLM document that legally adopts the management plan.
 
1996 - Evaluation of Management actions, analysis of Permit Allocation Techniques, Proposed Lower Deschutes River Limited Entry System.
 
1997 - Decision on the design of the permit system, & supplements the Lower Deschutes River Management Plan in four areas.