Don’t Let Oregon’s Rivers Run Dry

Over a century of outdated water laws and poor water management have left many of our rivers dangerously over-allocated and over-tapped.

Record-low snowpack, warming temperatures, and increasingly severe drought put enormous pressure on Oregon’s rivers and streams in 2026 — but those challenges didn’t begin with this year’s drought. Over a century of outdated water laws and poor water management have left many of our rivers dangerously over-allocated and over-tapped, and have pushed Oregon’s already-stressed rivers and streams to the breaking point.

For trout, salmon, and steelhead, low and warming streamflows can make survival through the hot summer months and low-flow falls extremely challenging. When rivers and wetlands run dry, the consequences ripple outward — resulting in threatened habitat, and less food sources for birds, insects, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

Communities, businesses, and local economies that depend on healthy rivers also feel the consequences.

That’s why WaterWatch is fighting to protect Oregon’s rivers wherever we can. Whether in the legislature, in the courts, as part of agency processes, and in communities across the state we work to correct the imbalances that have put too much pressure on Oregon’s rivers.

We can’t do this without you. Please take action by making a gift to WaterWatch today. Your donation will help WaterWatch continue the fight for healthy rivers, abundant streamflows, and lasting protections for Oregon’s aquatic ecosystems.

Donate now through the end of October to receive a framed Daniel Coe Willamette River print! To do so, you can:

• Become a monthly sustaining member at $50 per month (or more).
• Increase your monthly sustaining membership amount by $25 per month (or more).
• Make a one-time donation of $250 (or more).

Oregon’s rivers give us so much — let’s make sure they have enough water to survive. Make your gift to WaterWatch of Oregon today.

Print courtesy of Daniel Coe.