River use Much of the flow of the upper Deschutes River is diverted into canals to irrigate farmland; irrigation districts take nearly 98% of the river's flow in the summer months. The growth of cities like Bend and Redmond also increased demand on the river's water, which is over-allocated. Because the existing canals lose about half of their water due to seepage, there is pressure to convert these canals into pipelines, a move that is resisted by many locals for historic and aesthetic reasons. Golf courses have also been an issue with water allocation. There are 13 golf courses throughout Bend, Redmond, and Sunriver. There are primarily two sections of the river popular for whitewater rafting and kayaking. The upstream section known as the Big Eddy is a short segment upriver from the city of Bend between Dillon and Lava Island falls. The lower and more heavily used section is from the town of Warm Springs downstream to just above Sherars Falls. The densest use is from RM 56—about above Maupin—to RM 44, just above Sherars Falls. See also List of longest streams of Oregon List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers List of rivers of Oregon References External links Deschutes River flows and forecasts Upper Deschutes Watershed Council National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Rivers of Oregon Columbia River Gorge Rivers of Jefferson County, Oregon Rivers of Wasco County, Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers of the United States Tributaries of the Columbia River Rivers of Deschutes County, Oregon