The Deschutes River is one of the world's largest spring-fed rivers, renowned for its steady flow and stunning vistas. Humans lived along the Deschutes for thousands of years without altering the river or its flow. However, that balance shifted when early settlers began using its waters for power and irrigation. In the early twentieth century, railroad companies blasted their way up the lower canyon, while the timber industry turned sections of the upper river into an industrial zone. In recent decades, shifting views of river ecology, scenic values, and recreation have brought new perspectives on the river and renewed hope for its future. Historian and author Glenn Voelz tells the story of how the modern Deschutes came to be.

Glenn Voelz served as an intelligence officer for 25 years in the Army, holding senior leadership positions at the Pentagon, the White House Situation Room, and NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He was an assistant professor of history at West Point and has authored several books on Oregon history, including his new book, The Deschutes River: A History. He serves as a board member of the Deschutes County Historical Society and the Deschutes Historical Museum.   

Enjoy 15% off your hotel stay on History Pub nights! Show your ticket at check-in.

These events are open to everyone interested in Pacific Northwest history, and beyond! Often co-sponsored by local or state historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers, historians and documentaries expounding on topics from indigenous history to the birth of Portland, early explorers to hop growing, and on and on! It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp