Sherman County has four very distinct seasons. The overall yearly precipitation is only 11.38 inches. This is quite bizarre when you consider that the county is bordered on three of the four sides by water. In the winter temperatures can reach to below 0 degrees F and spike to over 100 degrees each summer. Thankfully these extremes typically last no longer than a week before the weather changes. Being located in North Central Oregon on the Columbia River, Sherman County experiences many windy days a year.
Agriculture is the driving economy of this small county. Soft white wheat, barley, and cattle are the most produced commodities. In the past few years fee hunting along with guided fishing and hunting has grown.
One of the fastest growing industries is due to the wind that the locals say always blows. In 2001 the first of a series of wind projects was started. In this project, 16 wind towers where built on tillable farm land. These towers are nearly 300 feet tall and dramatically change the skyline. In the past year about 50 more towers have been built in the same general area as the first phase. It is rumored that the area could see hundreds more of these towers to capitalize of the "green energy."
Sherman County is located on Interstate 84 about 100 miles east of Portland. Highway 97 which runs north-south from northern Washington to Weed, California runs right through the heart of the county. I suppose that Biggs Jct (intersection of Int. 84 and Hwy. 97) could be considered the "gateway" to the county on the north end.
The three rivers that border Sherman County provide world class recreation. The Columbia River to the north provides world class wind surfing and kite sailing. The moderate wind speeds and large swells on the river can provide for some interesting viewing of these activities. On days when the wind is not blowing the wide river provides great water skiing and personal watercraft riding. Fishing is also popular on the Columbia. Depending on the time of year, the Columbia provides excellent walleye, sturgeon, steelhead, and salmon fishing.
To the west lies the wild Deschutes River. The Deschutes is famous for fly fishermen to test their luck at landing salmon, steelhead, and trout. It was once rumored that Tiger Woods even made the trip to test his luck. If fishing isn't exciting enough for you, then the white water rafting might be what you are after. The ever changing rapids provide dangerous yet exciting fun.
The John Day River to the east provides steelhead fishing in the colder months and great bass fishing in the summer time. The lower John Day also allows for water skiing.