CATEGORY: | Area News

A series of snowstorms over the past month and a half have dropped more snow in the unincorporated community south of Bend than it sees in an average winter season, said Brooke Snavely, communications director for the Sunriver Owners Association.  An average winter season, measured from the first to last snowfall , brings about 60 inches of snow to Sunriver, he said. With the first measurable snowfall this season on Nov. 15, Sunriver has received about 70 inches as of Wednesday.

“That’s a pretty significant amount of snow on the ground in a short time,” he said this week.

This December broke a record for the most snow in the month, said Mark Smith, public works director for the Sunriver Owners Association. So far, 52.6 inches of snow has fallen in Sunriver in December, he said Wednesday . The old record, set in winter 1992-93, was 50.9 inches.

That winter saw 144 inches — 12 feet — of snow stack up in Sunriver.

The snow this December has kept public works crews for the homeowners association, tasked with clearing about 70 miles of roads and 30 miles of pathways, busy. “It has definitely made for some long days,” Smith said.

Snow does not come as much of a surprise this time of year in Sunriver. Compared with other cities and towns in Central Oregon, the community has the highest chances of a white Christmas, defined by a Christmas Day with at least an inch of snow on the ground. Historical data from the National Weather Service show Sunriver has an 87 percent chance, while Bend and Sisters have just over 30 percent chances, and Redmond, Madras and Prineville have lower odds.

What is surprising this year is how much snow has fallen already. Whether all the snow on the ground now becomes a problem when it melts remains to be seen.

“There is always a thought in the back of the mind of, ‘Where does this water go?’” Snavely said.

Sunriver neighborhoods do not have storm drains, and the roads are not flanked by sidewalks. The pathways run separate, away from the roads, leaving room for natural drainage. Snowmelt flows off the roads and pathways and soaks into the porous volcanic soil .

In 2014, a hard freeze of the ground put a hitch in this system, when the snow melted amid rainstorms. The frozen ground did not take in the water and resulted in flooding, with water creeping onto decks and into garages and crawlspaces of 30 to 40 homes, according to Bulletin archives.

Whether there is a danger of flooding all depends on how fast the snow melts and how quickly the ground can absorb it, said Jeremy Giffin, Deschutes Basin watermaster for the Oregon Water Resources Department. A warm, wet storm during winter can cause problems if it rapidly melts snow.

“If we had a big event like that come through that would definitely be a concern for flooding,” he said.

Home prices in Deschutes County increased 11.2 percent in the year ending in July, according to CoreLogic, a real-estate research and data firm. Between June and July, home prices increased by 0.9 percent, the firm reported Tuesday. (CoreLogic’s figures include distressed sales)

If mortgage rates remain low and job growth continues, home purchases are likely to rise in the coming year, CoreLogic Chief Economist Frank Nothaft, said in a news release.

About CENTURY 21 Lifestyles Realty
Looking for more information about Central Oregon. Ask anyone, they will tell you, “Living in this area is all about the “Lifestyle!” Which is where we come in.

CENTURY 21 Lifestyles Realty is a full service real estate company with Brokers who specialize in several areas including Commercial, Residential Buyers & Sellers, Fine Homes & Estates, Relocation Services, and Property Management Business.

We have two offices to accommodate our clients’ needs, conveniently located in Bend and Sunriver. Our experienced Brokers focus on customer service and each client’s unique situation to ensure exceptional real estate service every time.

To meet your professional and knowledgeable real estate Broker and start on the path to your “Lifestyle” call (541) 593-8685 (Sunriver Office) or (541) 382-3333 (Bend Office).

Looking to have your property managed? We manage over 65 units in Central Oregon – check us out: http://www.century21lifestylesrealty.com/

TWILIGHT CINEMA:   Free movie nights at SHARC or The Village at Sunriver. Low profile chairs, blankets, coolers welcome (NO pets or glass). Food and beverage available. Movies start at dark, fun & games prior to showtime.  Click movie poster above to enlarge.

TURF TUNES:  Sundays, July 10 – August 21, 5:30-7:30pm: Enjoy seven weeks of free concerts and other entertainment in SHARC’s amphitheater. Bring your low profile chair, blanket and a picnic. Food and beverages available for purchase. Concerts held rain or shine. Please no pets, glass containers. Schedule subject to change

July 10, Junebugs: Combining high-energy pop with folksy goodness to create a genre-bending sound you can kick up your heels to.
July 17, West Troupe with Central Oregon Aerial Arts: Enjoy the high energy beats of West African drum and dance along with performances from the sky with aerial skills, acrobatics and lyra.
July 24, Jessie Leigh: Infuses a rock and roll attitude into a country style to take “old school music and make it relevant.”
July 31, Off the Record: Classic rock favorites from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
Aug. 7, Tony Smiley: Captivating audiences with raw rhythms of live looping. His music combines rock, hip hop, reggae, tribal fusion, ’80s and everything in between.
Aug. 14, Henrik Bothe: Bringing the most hilarious comedy, magic and juggling that will have the whole family laughing harder than they ever have.
Aug. 21, Bill Keale: Transporting you to Hawaii with favorite and original island sounds that includes Hawaiian slack key guitar, pop, folk, and easy listening.

Mountain Resort Properties is again this year a proud sponsor of The Pacific Crest Triathlon!

THIS COURSE WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY – Each year, during the last weekend in June, over 5000 athletes, their family and friends, converge on majestic Central Oregon to take part in the Pacific Crest Weekend Sports Festival. Pacific Crest is known as the jewel of multisport events in the Northwest and it has become a traditional destination race for athletes from across the nation, as well as from across the globe. Coupled with a finishing in a five star destination resort, it is the perfect family vacation destination. You don’t have to take our word for it — join us for this spectacular event and see for yourself.

Pacific Crest events begin Friday morning, with the competition and fun continuing into Sunday afternoon. Plus, The Village shopping area in Sunriver becomes the Athletes Village and Sports & Fitness Expo, with a terrific assortment of gear, clothing, health products, food and beverages to sample and fun “giftables” to purchase. In the Deschutes Brewery Beer Garden, next to the Village Bar and Grill, athletes, family and friends can enjoy Deschutes Brewery beers, great food, and live entertainment throughout the weekend. Bands from around the region, including the extremely popular Hit Machine will perform Friday and Saturday nights to Rock the Village and keep the celebration in full swing. Plus local groups will entertain the crowd through the afternoons Friday and Saturday.

Join the many thousands of athletes who have enjoyed the Pacific Crest experience and take this opportunity for fun, camaraderie, and most of all – some of the best competitive racing you will find in the country. It’s an ideal active family vacation opportunity in beautiful Sunriver, in the heart of scenic Central Oregon.

The event and accommodations often SELL OUT so it is advised you register and make your travel plans as soon as possible – especially since this is the 20th Anniversary so you know it’s going to be special!  You don’t want to miss out on this spectacular event!