River Talk Series at O’Brien Memorial Library- Floating the river of time: A history of Blue River

May 17, 2025

Margaret Beilharz and Randy Dersham on The History of Blue River and The Evolution of the Drift Boat.

FLOATING THE RIVER OF TIME: A HISTORY OF BLUE RIVER will explore through images and stories what our town has been, and is becoming. From settlement days, through its lumber and mining heyday, to the source of our drinking water and electricity, the river has been harnessed for its power. And its power to inspire.

Margaret Beilharz has lived in Rainbow since 1960 when her father was hired as an engineer on the Carmen Smith Hydropower Project. Her interest in the river and forest led her to earn a degree in freshwater ecosystems, then to work as a hydrologist at five national forests from California to Alaska. She returned to Rainbow in 2002 and, since retiring, has been collecting and sharing, through photographs, maps and stories, the history of the upper McKenzie.

Randy Dersham’s diverse career reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, whether through interactive media, film, and lately preserving our area’s rich heritage of river culture. His
documentary, “Oregon’s Boat: The McKenzie River Drift Boat,” celebrates the evolution and cultural significance of an iconic watercraft that originated on the McKenzie. It was the winner
of the Best Feature award at the 2025 Oregon Documentary Film Festival.

Supported by a grant from Oregon Humanities, the event is free and open to the public.