Mirror Pond

Mirror Pond is an impoundment of the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon forming a small urban lake. It is located between Pacific Power’s Bend Hydro dam and the Colorado dam. The pond is flanked by Drake, Harmon, Pageant, Brooks, Columbia, Miller’s Landing, and McKay parks, as well as a number of private homes.

Since the early 1900s, Mirror Pond has been a feature many identify with the spirit of Bend. Events that Bendites held close to their hearts have been entwined with Mirror Pond since its formation in 1910. Floating and fishing have always been popular on the pond. The Bend River Pageant and Stampede, an event that included decorating the pond with colored lights, a parade of river floats, and the Mirror Pond Arch, was held 25 times from 1933 to 1965. To many, the pageant serves as the idyllic vision of early Bend life.