Thurston County’s Watershed Characterization Study
The Deschutes River is Thurston County’s fasting rising and falling river, responding quickly to local rainfall and runoff. Along its 52 mile run, there are 14 identified streams that provide over 256 miles of drainage! At Cougar mountain the river reaches an elevation of 3,870 feet and reaches sea level at Capitol Lake before emptying into Budd Inlet. Flowing from the south to the north, the Deschutes Watershed includes several lakes including; Trosper, Capital, Offut, Lawrence, McIntosh and Tempo.
