The Upper Deschutes Watershed (HUC 17070301) covers approximately 1,300 square miles in central Oregon. It is characterized by mountainous terrain and alpine forests, with the Deschutes River serving as the main water source. The area receives significant snowfall during the winter months, which contributes to a high snowpack that slowly melts in the spring and summer, providing water for the river and surrounding ecosystems. The watershed is also home to several reservoirs, including Wickiup and Crane Prairie, which store water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. Reservoir constituents include nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment, which can have negative impacts on water quality and aquatic life. Interesting climatic facts include the region's high variability in precipitation and temperature, with extremes ranging from droughts to heavy snowfall events. Trends indicate an increase in average temperatures and a decrease in snowpack levels over the past several decades.