Central Oregon
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| Region of | U.S. state of Oregon |
| Area | 7,833 square miles (20,290 km2) |
| Principal Communities (Cities): | Bend Madras Prineville Redmond Sisters |
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Central Oregon is a geographic region in the U.S. state of Oregon and is traditionally considered to be made up of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties.
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[edit] Geography
The Central Oregon region covers approximately 7,833 square miles (20,290 km2), and sits at the convergence of the Basin and Range, Cascades, Blue Mountains, and Columbia River Plateau geologic regions. Because it is part of a historically volcanic region, volcanic rock formations are a common sight, including lava beds, volcanic buttes, crater lakes, and volcanic plugs.[1] Two primary rivers flow out of the region: the Deschutes and Crooked Rivers.
The local plant life of Central Oregon can be divided between the Ponderosa forests at the foot of the Cascades, and the smaller Western Juniper forests to the east, with the Deschutes River being a rough boundary between the two. Because of the lack of precipitation and high temperatures during the late summer, wildfires are a common occurrence. Small fires are essential, as they burn away detritus. With the coming of European settlers, fire suppression became a common occurrence. However, due to years of fire suppression, several major wildfires have broken out and threatened large settlements. Major wildfires are becoming less common as the practice of controlled fires by local officials increases.[2]
The distribution of people in Central Oregon is limited mainly to the rivers, with all of the towns being built on the riverside plains between the surrounding foothills. However, extensive irrigation in the region means that the arid flatlands are usable for farming and livestock.
[edit] History
Before the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century, Central Oregon was inhabited by the southernmost Saphaptin tribes and the northernmost tribes of the Northern Paiute.[3] However, with the arrival of settlers along the Oregon Trail in the mid 1800's, both tribes soon found themselves at odds with the settlers and the U.S. Army.
In 1865, Camp Polk, a fort set up with the intention to protect early settlers from Indian raids, was built 2.68 miles (4.31 km) northeast of modern day Sisters. However, the post was soon abandoned.[4] Not long after, homesteaders began to settle the region, making use of the wide open lands for ranches, and in 1877, Prineville became the first city in the region, followed in 1888 by the founding of Sisters.
In the early 20th century, several major highways were constructed in the region, connecting it to the rest of the state. U.S. Route 97 would connect the region to the Columbia River and Portland, and Routes 20, 22, and 126 to the Willamette Valley.
[edit] Ecology
Unlike the wetter regions west of the Cascades, plant and animal life is less diverse but hardier due to the arid nature of the region. Plant life, though not suitable for truly arid regions to the south, have evolved several defenses against water loss, as well as adaptions related to the yearly fires that burn through the region. Trees, such as the Ponderosa Pine, have thicker bark and do not bleed sap as profusely as trees to the west. Likewise, this thicker bark doesn't burn very easily. In fact, the Ponderosa requires small brush fires to burn through, as their cones are opened by the heat of the passing fires.[2][5]
Likewise, plants such as the Black Sagebrush and Cheatgrass occur frequently within the region, especially among the shorter western juniper. There are also many different species of wildflower.
Finally, dozen's of different animal species make their home in the region, including Bald Eagles, Western Diamond-back Rattlesnakes, Northern Spotted Owls, Canadian Lynx, Roosevelt Elk, Peregrine Falcon, and several species of desert lizard and Ground squirrel. Historically, the local rivers have also been populated by several species of Pacific Ocean salmon. However, because of the numerous hydroelectric dams on the Columbia, there has been a reduction in the number of ocean going species of fish.[6]
[edit] Climate
Because it sits in the rain shadow of the Cascade mountains, Central Oregon is fairly arid during most of the year. Likewise, annual temperatures often straddle 85 °F (29 °C) during July and August. Winter weather, while wetter, is no less harsh. Temperatures drop can to 15 °F (−9 °C) at night during the late fall and winter months.[7][8] Winter snowfalls are also dangerous. Snowfalls quickly build up layers of ice as it begins to melt and refreeze daily over the months of December and January. This means that the snow is heavier and more solid, making it difficult to plow.[9]
[edit] Economy
The economy of Central Oregon relies heavily upon two primary industries: ranching and outdoor recreation. Originally, the exportation of timber was a major industry, but that has long since receded over the Cascade divide. Much of Central Oregon is ideal for the raising of livestock, and because of this, a good portion of local income comes from the exportation of cattle and horses.
Central Oregon is also rich with recreational activities. Both summer and winter recreation are big draws to the region for sportsmen and tourists. Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling are popular in the winter, while water skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, climbing, and several other activities draw outdoors enthusiasts during the summer.[10] Most towns, such as Sunriver and Sisters, rely heavily on tourism to exist.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Orr, William N. and Elizabeth L. (2006). Geology of the Pacific Northwest, 2nd. Ed.. Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc.. ISBN 978-1-57766-480-2.
- ^ a b "Beyond the Flames: The Story of Wildfire in Central Oregon". Project Wildfire, Central Oregon Fire Prevention Co-op.. 2007. http://www.projectwildfire.org/current/beyond%20the%20flames%2007.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
- ^ Mollie Jackson. "Languages of Oregon". University of Oregon Linguistics Department. http://logos.uoregon.edu/explore/oregon/index.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-12.
- ^ "The Oregon Story:History of a Place Timeline, Camp Polk Meadow Preserve". http://www.opb.org/programs/oregonstory/land_trusts/timeline/timeline.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-04-18.
- ^ "Ponderosa Pine - DesertUSA". http://www.desertusa.com/mag06/aug/ponderosa.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-18.
- ^ "Dams: impacts on salmon and steelhead". Northwest Power and Conservation Council. http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/DamsImpacts.asp. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
- ^ "Bendweather.com - Bend Climate". http://www.bendweather.com/Climate.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
- ^ "Sisters, Oregon Facts, Schools, Colleges, Weather, Zip Code, and more". http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/oregon/sisters. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
- ^ "Rainfall makes for ripe avalanche conditions in Cascades". 2008-12-14. http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_123108_news_cascades_avalanche_danger.24db8716.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
- ^ "Central Oregon Outdoor Recreation". http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore-Oregon/Central-Oregon/Outdoor-Recreation.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
