Did You Know? Davis Creek Is Born from Ice-Cold Springs

Near North Davis Creek, groundwater emerges from volcanic lava flows at just 38°F, only a few degrees above freezing. Geological surveys measured approximately 190 cubic feet of groundwater entering the Davis Creek arm of Wickiup Reservoir over a two-mile stretch, much of it from these springs. The water travels underground through the Cascade’s porous volcanic rock before emerging to form a substantial creek in a remarkably short distance.

Wickiup Connects Underground Springs to High Desert Farms

Wickiup Reservoir stores water from the Deschutes River and Davis Creek. Construction began in 1939, but World War II and leakage through volcanic ground delayed completion until 1949. With a capacity of 200,000 acre-feet, the reservoir brought much-needed summer irrigation water to farmers struggling with the high desert’s dry conditions. Water flows downstream along the Deschutes River before being diverted into the North Unit Main Canal, which carries it to farms near Madras.

The Davis Fire’s Legacy

In 2003, the Davis Fire swept through 21,000 acres of forest, with 50-foot flames threatening nearby communities. Firefighters, aided by the natural barrier of Wickiup Reservoir, stopped its advance. The fire left behind standing dead trees, called snags, that now provide food and nesting sites for woodpeckers. As you ride past these snags, notice the young lodgepole pines regenerating among them, bringing new life to the burned forest.

Black Rock’s Three Volcanoes May Share a Hidden Source

Black Rock is one of three nearby lava flows stretching roughly 12 miles along the Cascades. It formed when thick andesite lava erupted near Hamner Butte, cooling into the jagged blocks visible today. Scientists dated the eruption using charcoal buried beneath volcanic cinders. The three flows’ similar ages and chemistry suggest they may share an underground source. Another flow from the same volcanic field blocked Odell Creek, creating Davis Lake and reshaping the surrounding landscape.

Odell Creek: Fish Reveal an Ancient River Connection

Before a lava eruption formed Davis Lake, Odell Creek likely flowed directly into the upper Deschutes River system. Evidence of this ancient connection comes from native fish, including redband trout, mountain whitefish, and bull trout, historically found in the drainage. These fish helped biologists trace a river connection long ago severed by lava .

The Met-Win Trail: From Horseback Route to Forest Path

Created around 1980, the 120-mile Metolius–Windigo Trail (Met-Win) connected existing trails and forest roads to provide a long-distance route primarily for horseback riders. Over time, sections were moved off roads to separate trail users from motor vehicles. Near Davis Lake, rising water frequently flooded the original route. In 2003, the Forest Service approved relocating 4.15 miles onto higher, forested terrain, improving trail reliability while protecting sensitive lakeside habitat.

Davis Lake: When Bass Changed a Famous Trout Fishery

Davis Lake was once celebrated for its large rainbow trout, but an illegal introduction of largemouth bass in the 1990s changed the fishery. The bass multiplied, preying on young trout and threatening the lake’s native fish population. Beginning in 1999, Oregon wildlife officials worked to remove the invasive bass. Some were transferred to other Oregon lakes and ponds for recreational fishing, turning an ecological problem into a stocking resource. Today, Davis Lake supports both trout and bass.

Ancient Fire, Living Giants

Near Davis Lake, towering ponderosa pines stand among a landscape shaped by volcanic activity. Their thick, orange-brown bark helps protect the living wood beneath from low-intensity fires, while loose bark flakes can carry burning material away as they fall. Nearby volcanic vents tell a different fire story: molten rock erupted through openings in the ground, building cones of volcanic fragments. Together, the pines and vents reveal two very different kinds of fire that have shaped Central Oregon.

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