Community & Attractions
Here are some great links and information, if you are a business and would like to be featured send us a note with the contact form and we’d be happy to put it up.
Sisters Visitors Guide (comprehensive)
The Camp Sherman Store (legendary)
Metolius River Lodges (great photography)
Metolius River Resort (as well)
Black Butte Ranch has an excellent breakfast and a great webcam to check the weather.
Cold Springs Resort (please call 541) 595-6271 they are upgrading their site
Metolius Springs
Metolius Springs are located just north of Black Butte near the small unincorporated town of Camp Sherman in central Oregon, United States. The springs are the source of the Metolius River, which flows 29 miles (47 km) through the Deschutes National Forest emptying into Lake Billy Chinook. The flow from Metolius Springs is sufficient to create a full-flowing river, making the Metolius River one of the largest spring-fed rivers in the United States.
Source
The source of the springs is unknown, but there is evidence that it comes from a large drainage basin nearBlack Butte Ranch, several miles south of Black Butte. The elevation of the Black Butte Ranch drainage basin is 300 feet (91 m) above that of the springs which would allow a natural flow of water under Black Butte to the Metolius headwaters.[1]
The springs were probably created about one and a half million years ago when Black Butte eruptedblocking a north-flowing river. With the newly formed butte blocking the natural channel, water backed up south of the mountain creating a swampy meadow area. Over time, the water seeps through porous rocks under the butte and now emerges on the north side of Black Butte at Metolius Springs.[1][2]
There are two groups of springs about 200 feet (61 m) apart that create the headwaters of the Metolius River. Springwater gushes from its underground source at a rate of 50,000 gallons per minute. This makes the Metolius one of the largest spring-fed rivers in the country. The water temperature at the springs is 48°Fahrenheit.[1]
Headwaters of the Metolius River
