Trout are once again able to swim upstream, downstream, and around North Canal Diversion Dam.

For more than 105 years, redband trout have lived as separate populations upstream and downstream of the North Canal Diversion Dam along the Deschutes River in Bend. In the Spring of 2017, a state-of-the-art fish ladder changed that and now allows the trout to mingle.

“… They need to intermix and interbreed to maintain good, healthy populations,” said Ryan Houston, executive director for the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board awarded a $689,000 grant to the watershed council for the project that cost more than $1.6 million.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife gave more than $602,000 to the project, and Swalley, Central Oregon and North Unit Irrigation Districts covered the remaining $378,000, in addition to managing the project and offering in-kind labor.