The Metolius River (pronounced muh TOLL ee us) is a tributary of the Deschutes River (through Lake Billy Chinook) in Central Oregon, United States, near the city of Sisters. The river flows north from springs near Black Butte, then turns sharply east, descending through a series of gorges before ending in the western end of the lake. The unincorporated community of Camp Sherman lies astride the southern end of the river. The name of the river comes from the Warm Springs or Sahaptin word mitula, meaning white salmon and referring to a light colored Chinook salmon and not a whitefish. The river's drainage basin is in area and, according to at least one estimate, contains of perennial streams, of intermittent streams, 42 lakes, and 121 ponds. Headwaters The headwaters of the river are at Metolius Springs, where the river emerges from two clusters of springs at the base of Black Butte. Water flows to these springs from the drainage basin around Black Butte Ranch, several miles to the south. The elevation of the drainage basin is above that of the springs, forming a natural standpipe that tends to stabilize the river's rate of flow. As a consequence, the water level in the Metolius River is relatively constant. The rate of flow at the headwaters is approximately or 50,000 gallons per minute), although it grows by an additional or 600,000 gallons per minute) by the time the river reaches Lake Billy Chinook. Similarly, the water temperature is also stable; at the river source, the water temperature is a consistent . General The Metolius River flows from Metolius Springs through the Deschutes National Forest, emptying into Lake Billy Chinook and ultimately the Deschutes River. The upper of the river are popular for catch-and-release fishing, whitewater rafting, picnicking, and camping. The lower are on the boundary of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, and flow by "a primitive area where motorized vehicles are not allowed." The Metolius River was officially designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1988. Many of the summer homes along the Metolius River are constructed on United States Forest Service land, under provisions of a 1915 act of Congress, and are generally required to be set back from the river at least , allowing public access to the river. Wildlife The Metolius River supports a broad cross-section of the wildlife present in the Central Oregon region. The river itself