Since 1985, WaterWatch has pursued a single clear mission: To protect and restore flows in Oregon rivers to sustain the native fish, wildlife, and the people who depend on healthy rivers.

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A Celebration of Oregon Rivers

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What's New 

A quick update on the removal of Gold Ray Dam

In the last two weeks, we've overcome two legal challenges to dam removal by two local landowners at the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) and in Federal Court. Initially, the opponents obtained a stop work order from LUBA on an alleged permitting issue. At that point, part of the initial coffer dam had been constructed in the river. LUBA then dismissed the appeal the issues were briefed.

Next, the opponents went to federal court and sought a preliminary injunction to stop the project. A hearing was held and on July  28th, Judge Owen Panner rejected the landowners request for a preliminary injunction. There was some concern about this hearing as the same lawyer representing the opponents had obtained a very damaging land use ruling on Measure 37 issues from Judge Panner.

WaterWatch worked closely with Pete Frost from Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) and the county attorneys to keep the project on track and to defeat both of these last minute challenges to the project. Rogue Riverkeeper was also very helpful.

The dam removal contractor was mobilized and ready to go as soon as the order came down from Judge Panner. Within one day, the contractor completed the initial coffer dam and and the initial breach.

Given the initial breach of the dam, the opponents appear to have thrown in the towel on legal challenges at this point and are probably focusing on future electoral challenges to the county commissioners - who previously voted unanimously to remove the dam.

Thanks to everyone for your support of this project and all of the Rogue River restoration work. Waterwatch is now confident that the dam will be removed on schedule.

Klamath Basin Update 

Read WaterWatch's concerns and work with the Klamath River Basin Settlement Agreement (KBRA) and the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA).

In The Oregonian: A river ready to run free

(Monday May 10, 2010)

One by one, obstacles to salmon and steelhead are cleared away from Oregon's Rogue River.

Now it is Gold Ray Dam's turn to give way on the Rogue River. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last week to remove the 106-year-old dam near Gold Hill.

If all goes as planned, by late summer the 38-foot-high, 360-foot-long defunct hydropower dam will be gone. And when the Rogue finally bursts through the remnants of Gold Ray, for the first time since 1904 one of Oregon's great salmon rivers will run wild and free for 157 miles to the Pacific.

Oregonians aren't especially given to celebrating conservation victories, probably because they usually come at a painful cost to a traditional industry or a segment of rural Oregon. But the Rogue is different. The dams that have fallen one after another on the Rogue -- Savage Rapids, Gold Hill Diversion, Elk Creek and, soon, Gold Ray -- generally were decommissioned relics from another era. They will not be missed.

The dams are being taken down with broad-based political support built carefully over the years by the patient, persistent leadership of the conservation group WaterWatch. The removal of Gold Ray Dam, for example, is being funded with a $5 million stimulus grant from the Obama administration, strongly supported by an Oregon Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden, and an Oregon Republican, Rep. Greg Walden. The conservative Jackson County commission, not previously known as a dam-removal group, saw clearly that the fiscally responsible decision was to take out the dam.

As soon as next month, workers will begin the job of breaching Gold Ray. When it's gone, salmon and steelhead will have better access to 333 miles of high-quality spawning habitat upstream of the dam -- and most of the Rogue River will run wild and free for the first time since Teddy Roosevelt was president. 

http://bit.ly/dDr3mw

Water Watch of Oregon hires David Moskowitz

Water Watch of Oregon is pleased to announce that David Moskowitz has joined WaterWatch as the Director of Development. David Moskowitz brings extensive knowledge and experience with strategic planning, fund raising, communications, director cultivation, donor and membership cultivation, event planning and management as well as overall capacity building. With David’s strong experience with both government relations and non-profit organizations, he adds a strong skill set to Water Watch’s overall strategic endeavors.

Water Watch of Oregon is currently working on projects across Oregon that are designed to protect in-stream flows for fish, wildlife and the people who depend on healthy rivers in Oregon. David joins the WaterWatch team, which includes: Executive Director John DeVoe, Senior Policy Analyst Kimberley Priestley, Staff Attorney Lisa Brown, Senior Attorney Bob Hunter and Comptroller Nancy Drinnon.

David took his post in early March as he wrapped up consulting duties on behalf of numerous organizations.  

For more info contact: John DeVoe, Executive Director call 503-295-4039 ext. 1.

To contact David, call 503-295-4039 ext. 2.

View video: The Removal of Savage Dam

A Celebration of Oregon Rivers 2009

Thanks to all who attended and contributed to A Celebration of Oregon Rivers in Portland!

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Savage Rapids Dam: 1921-2009

View the Savage Rapids demolition photo gallery here.  Read more.

June 23, 2009, Photo to the East of the dam removal with breaking of concrete from bays 1 through 6 completed. Photo courtesy of Bob Hunter.