Lava Island Fish Rescue Planned for October 14-16
Lava Island Fish Rescue – Wednesday, October 14 - Friday, October 16
Each fall, as irrigation districts reduce flows in the Upper Deschutes to refill Wickiup Reservoir, side channels near Lava Island Falls run dry. This leaves thousands of fish stranded.
The Lava Island Fish Rescue is led each year by the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) and North Unit Irrigation District (NUID), with funding support from all eight districts of the Deschutes Basin Board of Control and the City of Prineville. They provide resources for the technical team and support the Deschutes River Conservancy’s role in coordinating community volunteers.
This effort balances the immediate need to rescue stranded fish with longer-term goals for water conservation and river restoration. Districts are investing in canal piping, on-farm efficiencies, and habitat conservation projects to improve water reliability for farms and fish alike. These ongoing efforts are expected to reduce—and ultimately eliminate—the need for salvage operations like this by 2029.
The rescue is planned for October 14-16. Dates may change depending on weather and Wickiup Dam operations. Volunteers will receive emails and text updates.
