Nov 4, 2026 • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Black Butte Ranch Community Center
Have you ever wondered where the water feeding Black Butte Ranch's natural springs comes from? The answer begins millions of years ago, with the volcanic forces that shaped the Cascade Mountains.
Join us for a fascinating journey into Central Oregon's volcanic past and discover how fire and lava helped create one of the most remarkable groundwater systems in the western United States.
Much of the rain and snow falling in the high Cascades seeps deep into porous, fractured lava rock, traveling underground through vast volcanic aquifers before emerging as springs that feed the Deschutes and Metolius Rivers and their tributaries.
Discover how this extraordinary relationship between volcanoes and water shapes the Deschutes Basin, why Black Butte Ranch is uniquely situated near these abundant water sources, and what's happening beneath the landscape we call home.
About Our Speaker
Dr. Daniele McKay is a Senior Instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon. Based in Bend, she teaches geology courses and leads field studies throughout Central Oregon. Her research specializes in volcanic eruptions in the Central Oregon Cascades. She is also actively involved in regional natural hazard preparedness, working with Deschutes County, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, and other organizations on volcanic and earthquake risk mitigation.