As we prepare to go to court to help defend several challenges to ODFW instream water right applications in the Umpqua Basin, we need your help to support our efforts. Signed into Oregon state law in 1987, the landmark Instream Water Rights Act remains one of WaterWatch’s earliest successes and lasting accomplishments, and allows three […]
Support Our Work to Defend Instream Water Rights Read More »
In September, the Oregon Water Resources Commission adopted the 2025 update to the Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS), Oregon’s blueprint for meeting instream and out-of-stream water needs into the future. In 2009 WaterWatch helped shape the law that sets the framework for the IWRS. Working closely with then-state Senator Jackie Dingfeler, WaterWatch convinced the Oregon
What a fantastic time we had on Nov. 1st! Thank you for being a part of it! Thank you to everyone — our attendees, our volunteers from Lewis and Clark College, the caterers at Elephant’s Deli, the audio-visual team at David Efaw Productions, the staff at Castaway Portland, photographer Nina Johnson, our Golden Ticket holders, and everyone who provided auction packages for
As we inch closer to WaterWatch of Oregon’s 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction on Saturday, Nov. 1st, at Castaway Portland, we can’t believe the volume of auction packages we still want to share with you ahead of doors opening. One thing we do know is if you love to fish, you’ll be right at
If You Love Fishing, You Won’t Want to Miss This Year’s Live or Silent Auctions Read More »
A petition filed by Representative Mark Owens would undermine proposed rules to stabilize groundwater in the Harney Basin. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is moving to designate the Harney Basin in the high desert of southeast Oregon a “critical groundwater area” to ensure more sustainable groundwater levels. Proposed rules developed over the course of a lengthy and exhaustive public
Take Action! Help Stop a Bad Groundwater Deal for the Harney Basin! Read More »
Our discounted early bird ticket pricing for WaterWatch’s 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction has now closed. Don’t worry — you still have up to a day before our 40th Anniversary Event on Saturday, Nov. 1st, to purchase tickets at our regular rate of $150 per ticket. Purchase your tickets here. Plan now to join us Nov. 1st
Early Bird Pricing for Our 40th Anniversary Celebration Has Closed Read More »
We hope you enjoyed your Labor Day holiday weekend with family and friends, and we’re thrilled to announce the winner of our guided fishing raffle with Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers are Steve and Debra L., a couple whose names were drawn earlier with the close of our August Matching Campaign. Steve and Debra will
And the Winner of Our August Fishing Trip Raffle Is…. Read More »
WaterWatch will be on the Rogue this Saturday, Aug. 23rd, along with anglers, Spey casters, fly fishing guides, casting instructors, and exhibitors from across the Pacific Northwest at the inaugural Rogue Spey Clave. We hope you’ll join us at Griffin Park on the Rogue River and learn more about WaterWatch’s laser focus on ending the
Rogue Dam Removals and This Saturday’s Rogue Spey Clave Read More »
Aug. 13, 2025 In a win for WaterWatch of Oregon and instream water rights, the Oregon Supreme Court last week upheld most of a 2023 Court of Appeals decision that affirmed a 2019 Oregon Water Resources Commission decision to deny a permit to construct a 70-foot high dam and 384-acre reservoir on Drift Creek, an 11-mile tributary of the Pudding River in Marion
Oregon Supreme Court Protects Instream Water Rights Read More »
Join WaterWatch of Oregon and a giant cast of anglers, Spey casters, fly fishing guides, casting instructors, and exhibitors from across the Pacific Northwest at the inaugural Rogue Spey Clave on Saturday, Aug. 23rd, at Griffin Park on the Rogue River. Organized by longtime Oregon fly fishing guides and Spey casting instructors Jon Hazlett and Dax Messett, the Rogue Spey Clave takes inspiration from events
Join WaterWatch at the Inaugural Rogue Spey Clave Aug. 23rd Read More »
Thank you to WaterWatch members, supporters, and friends for your responses in letting the Oregon Water Resources Department know you support the adoption of strong rules to sustain groundwater, habitat, and species in the Harney Basin over the last month. After an extensive, multi-year, multi-stakeholder process and in-depth scientific study, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) issued
By John DeVoe with Tommy Hough The Deschutes, Rogue, and Klamath rivers. The Willamette and the McKenzie. Much of WaterWatch’s work protects and restores cold water habitat on these iconic Oregon rivers. But that’s not all WaterWatch does. WaterWatch has a 40-year tradition of protecting and restoring smaller, more intimate and remote streams no less
As part of WaterWatch’s 40th anniversary, we’re featuring articles in Instream and at WaterWatch.org that highlight our work and success over the last four decades, and profiling some of the people who played key roles in building WaterWatch’s legacy. By Tommy Hough WaterWatch staff, board, and alumni often offer unprompted credit to Karen Russell for
Instream: In Conversation with Karen Russell, a WaterWatch Original Watchdog Read More »
By Jim McCarthy The Rogue River has historically supported the largest runs of wild salmon and steelhead in Oregon outside of the Columbia Basin. In turn, this abundance has supported commercial and recreational fishing jobs throughout our region, seafood production, and world class recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, Rogue Coho salmon are now listed as threatened under
A recap of the 2025 long Oregon legislative session in Salem. By Kimberley Priestley, WaterWatch Senior Policy Advisor WaterWatch has been a dogged voice for rivers in the Oregon legislature for the past 40 years, and 2025 was no different as we tirelessly advocated for rivers in deliberations on over 120 water bills, a dozen
Instream: Fighting for Rivers During the 2025 Legislative Session Read More »
It may be the middle of summer, but no matter the season or time of year blueberries are always a welcome treat. And you and your family are invited to join us this Saturday, Aug. 2nd, for a special blueberry picking benefit for WaterWatch at Muir Blueberry Farm in Hillsboro as Muir Farm donates all
Join WaterWatch on Aug. 2nd for a Daylong Blueberry Benefit Event in Hillsboro Read More »
After months of preparation — atop a highly challenging year advocating for our world-class rivers — WaterWatch of Oregon’s 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction arrives at Castaway Portland this Saturday evening, Nov. 1st. We’re looking forward to catching up with you along with WaterWatch’s diverse community of anglers, birders, boaters, conservationists, and river fanatics to
WaterWatch of Oregon’s 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction Read More »
If you’re in the Portland area today — Tuesday, July 15th — stop by and join us at the Oakshire Brewing Portland location for a daylong Oakshire Inspires event benefitting WaterWatch of Oregon! WaterWatch staff and board members will be on-site at the Portland Beer Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. at 5013 NE 42nd
Join WaterWatch at Oakshire’s Portland Beer Hall July 15th Read More »
As you’ve seen in our recent action alerts, the legislative session in Salem is about to end for the year, and a number of important environmental bills are still jockeying for votes. One bill that would make major improvements to Oregon’s fish and wildlife conservation funding is close to passing, but we need your help to give
Take Action Now to Support HB 2977 for Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Read More »
Across Oregon, compromised streamflows and fish passage barriers are threatening native salmon and steelhead, birds, amphibians, and wildlife — as well as disrupting the ecosystems and communities that depend on healthy rivers. That’s why, for over 40 years, WaterWatch has worked to protect and restore natural streamflows and groundwater to ensure our rivers have enough water
Keep Oregon’s Rivers Flowing with a Gift from a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Read More »
Clean water, strong rivers, and healthy fish and wildlife are part of Oregon’s identity, yet many of our state’s outdated water laws are at odds with those values. Right now we have a chance to protect the public benefits our rivers provide by tightening a dangerous loophole that currently allows the Oregon Water Resources Department
We Need Your Support for Oregon Senate Bill 1153 NOW Read More »
Please speak up NOW to help us stop three bad rules bills targeting state rulemakings, agency discretion, and executive functions. The three bills — HB 3569, HB 2692, and HB 2454 — follow the ongoing federal trend of blurring the lines between the three branches of government, and gives the regulated industry a leg up
Please Weigh in NOW Against Three Bad Rules Bills Read More »
The White House is threatening the integrity of the federal Endangered Species Act by proposing to remove the regulatory definition of “harm.” As part of its ongoing campaign attacking long-standing U.S. environmental laws and policies, the White House is threatening a critical underpinning of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) by proposing to remove the regulatory definition of “harm,” which is
At no other moment since the first Earth Day 55 years ago has our nation’s conservation legacy been so threatened. Earth Day is a special day for everyone who loves and appreciates life on our planet as we celebrate habitat, species, vast landscapes, clean air, and the water that renews and recharges our rivers, streams,
Critical Support Needed for Rivers This Earth Day Read More »
By Brian Posewitz WaterWatch recently completed a contested case hearing seeking to prevent a water right transfer from exacerbating low streamflows in Bridge Creek, a tributary to the John Day River with important habitat for threatened steelhead. Bridge Creek Ranch, an affiliate of Papé Machinery that owns and operates Painted Hills Reservoir, wants to move
By Jim McCarthy This past fall, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists found fall chinook salmon spawning in a stretch of the Illinois River previously submerged under the Pomeroy Dam reservoir pool. This development came just a few months after WaterWatch removed the 10-foot high, 270-foot wide concrete structure from this Rogue Basin tributary,
Instream: Chinook Spawn in Former Pomeroy Dam Reservoir Site Read More »
By Kimberley Priestley An unintended regulatory loophole in Oregon’s water transfer laws allow old water rights to serve new uses, move to new diversion points, or change the place of use without any environmental review, effectively nullifying Oregon’s ability to protect instream values on hundreds of streams across the state. Currently, transfer applicants only need
Instream: Safeguarding Streamflows in Water Right Transfers Read More »
By Jesse Robbins Last summer, Seattle-based author, angler, musician, and conservationist Steve Duda and I visited bookstores and readers in Beaverton and Bend — and even made an appearance on KOIN-TV’s AM Extra morning program in Portland — to share and help promote Steve’s book River Songs: Moments of Wild Wonder in Fly Fishing and discuss fly
Instream: Life Lessons from Author and Angler Steve Duda Read More »
By Lisa Brown WaterWatch went to trial in March regarding a water right for a proposed large-scale open pit mine along Grave Creek in Sunny Valley. A popular put-in for boaters, Grave Creek is an important stream for salmon, steelhead, and lamprey that flows into the Rogue River at the upper end of its Wild
Instream: WaterWatch Back in Trial to Protect Grave Creek Read More »
By Jim McCarthy In February, WaterWatch and our allies Steamboaters and Pacific Coast Federations of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) secured formal permission to participate in a state fish passage enforcement proceeding which may ultimately determine the fate of the 135-year old Winchester Dam, a privately owned former hydropower structure near Roseburg commonly known as the biggest
Instream: Winchester Dam Removal Closer Than Ever as Legal Battles Continue Read More »
By Tommy Hough One of WaterWatch of Oregon’s founding board members and long-time staff attorney, Bob Hunter participated with WaterWatch’s founders, Tom and Audrey Simmons, in the early discussions leading up to the organization’s establishment. As part of our 40th anniversary archival project, Instream recently spoke with Bob about the early years of WaterWatch, and the
Instream: Bob Hunter Reflects on the Early Years of WaterWatch of Oregon Read More »
By Neil Brandt Despite the threats of federal rollbacks to bedrock environmental statutes, slashing of key federal agency personnel, and wholly unprecedented attacks on our nation’s conservation legacy, we at WaterWatch are nevertheless celebrating our four decades of work and success in 2025. Despite the chaos coming out of Washington, D.C., we continue to see
April 8, 2025 The spring issue of our Instream newsletter is arriving in mailboxes now, featuring a striking aerial cover photo of the McKenzie River by photographer Nicholas J. Klein. One of Oregon’s great groundwater-fed rivers, the McKenzie drains about 1,300 square miles on its route from the Cascades to the Willamette River, with 12 miles of its length protected as
The environmental headlines have been difficult to digest lately, but we’re having a fantastic spring season here in Oregon, so we invite you to take a break and join us in Eugene on Wednesday to enjoy some conservation camaraderie, warmer weather, and an opportunity to connect with friends and neighbors about upcoming river adventures, fishing
Join Us in Eugene This Wednesday the 30th for an Oakshire Inspires Benefit Read More »
In February we urged you to speak in support of SB 427, a bill that would safeguard streamflows in water right transfers, and you came through. This month we asked for your support for SB 1153, a similar bill that would ensure fish and water quality are not harmed in water right transfers. And once again,
Submit Testimony on an Important Bill for Oregon Streams Read More »
March 18, 2025 When it comes to our shared values in conservation, a healthy environment, and a fair and just society, we are in the midst of an extraordinary, uncertain moment in our nation’s history. Conservation may be a core American value, but our nation’s environmental legacy is now under assault by our own federal
Immediate, Actionable Opportunities for Oregon’s Rivers Read More »
Spring is nearly here, and that means it’s time to stretch, shake the winter off your legs, and get some mud on your boots as the weather warms and the trails clear — at least at lower elevations. To help plan your first hikes of the year, we’ve included a link to our Springtime River
We have an urgent matter that needs your attention NOW. Please speak up in opposition to HB 3501, a terrible bill that would prohibit the state from considering public interest values, including effects on fish, wildlife, and water quality, when evaluating applications to change existing water rights in a process called a “transfer.” Background: While other states
Action Needed — Speak Out Against a Terrible Bill for Rivers! Read More »
Oregon’s outdated water laws have long favored extraction over protection, but we have a chance to do something about it — in this legislative session. We have an opportunity to close a harmful regulatory loophole in Oregon’s water transfer laws which allows old water rights to serve new uses, move to new diversion points, or change the place of
Take Action NOW on SB 427 — Oregon Rivers Need Water, and Our Help Read More »
Feb. 17, 2025 As our climate grows increasingly warmer and drier, Oregon needs effective science and data-driven water management. With climate change and water scarcity upon us, it’s imperative that Oregon invest in its water. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is charged with managing Oregon’s waters, but the agency needs data, science, and management positions
Action Alert — Speak Up Now for Critical Investments in Oregon’s Waters! Read More »
