Deschutes River flow to be reduced as search continues for Dillon Falls victim

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two weeks after six people went over Dillon Falls near Bend, search efforts continue to recover the body of the third victim.

According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and search and rescue teams have been searching diligently using every resource available; however, some areas of the river remain extremely hazardous and have not been safe to search yet.

To facilitate searching those areas, authorities said they are working with the Deschutes Basin Board of Control to reduce the flow in the Deschutes River temporarily, allowing the areas to be searched.

“The Deschutes Basin Board of Control, made up of eight local irrigation districts that deliver water across Central Oregon, is partnering with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to support the recovery of the individual still missing at Dillon Falls,” the Deschutes Basin Board of Control said in a statement. “To aid in operations, irrigation districts will temporarily reduce flows in the Deschutes River beginning Friday, August 1. Recreationists and irrigators may notice reduced flows through Monday, August 4.”

Once the water levels lower, officials said that swiftwater technicians will begin operations around key locations in an effort to find the victim.

After the incident on July 19, one person was found dead at the scene, and three others were hospitalized. Two other people remained missing.

The search for the two missing people was quickly changed to a recovery mission, and a second victim’s body was recovered shortly after.