River Action Alerts

Take Action for Oregon’s World-Class Rivers and Streams Today

Stay up to date on the state of Oregon’s rivers and streams by signing up for our WaterWatch River Action Alerts, and share our sign-up page with family, friends, and colleagues who also value Oregon’s waters. We need the voices of all Oregonians who understand that Rivers Need Water. Thank you for adding your voice and lending your support to these important action alerts!

No on HR 655 Rally at Sen. Ron Wyden’s Portland Office

Aug. 11, 2026

Join WaterWatch, Extinction Rebellion PDX, and other community organizations at Senator Ron Wyden’s Portland office Thursday, Aug. 13th, from 4 to 5 p.m. for a rally against HR 655 and the transfer of federal public lands from the Mt. Hood National Forest to the City of The Dalles, home to a Google data center with skyrocketing water and energy requirements. Senator Wyden’s is located at 911 NE 11th Ave. in Portland.

Weigh in Now to Strengthen Water Management

June 20, 2026

We need your help as the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) seeks public input on a rulemaking initiative to modernize and improve key water management tools. Let the state know you support updating and improving Oregon’s water management toolbox at a virtual information meeting Monday, June 22nd from 2 to 4 p.m., or via a short series of online surveys by Friday, June 26th, at 5 p.m.

Submit Written Testimony NOW to Stop a Bad Columbia River Bill

Feb. 8, 2026

WaterWatch needs your help to stop passage of HB 4006, a bad bill for the Columbia River, which would exempt certain irrigators from key water laws every Oregon farmer must adhere to. Submit testimony now ahead of a hearing on the bill Monday at 1 p.m. in Salem, and ahead of the overall deadline for written testimony on Wednesday, Feb. 11th, also at 1 p.m.

Submit Testimony Now in Support of the 1.25% for Wildlife Bill HB 4134

Feb. 2, 2026

With Oregon’s short legislative session for 2026 now underway, the 1.25% for Wildlife bill is back before policymakers with bipartisan support, this time as HB 4134, which has a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4th, in the House Revenue Committee at 3 p.m. Please submit written testimony ahead of the hearing, and help us pass this bill!

Ask Your Oregon Legislators to Support Funding for Wildlife

Jan. 7, 2026

WaterWatch is part of a broad coalition of Oregonians working to pass a 1.25% for Wildlife bill in the upcoming Oregon legislative session to secure dedicated funding to support fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation work — and we need your support ahead of the session getting underway Feb. 2nd. Help set the stage for a successful 1.25% for Wildlife campaign by contacting your state legislators today, and ask them to support the 1.25% for Wildlife bill in the upcoming session.

Support New Coastal Instream Water Rights Today

Dec. 9, 2025

Th Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has filed applications to establish 44 new instream water rights in our North Coast and Mid-Coast regions, and with the public comment period closing at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18th, we need your help now to ensure legal protections for these beloved coastal rivers and streams are secured as instream water rights, from the Nehalem River in the north to the many tributaries of the ecologically important Siletz River in the south.

Support Adoption of Strong Rules to Stabilize Groundwater Levels in the Harney Basin

July 31, 2025

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) recently issued proposed rules to establish a critical groundwater area in the Harney Basin that would ultimately allow the agency to limit pumping to achieve stable groundwater levels. If enacted, the proposed OWRD rules set the stage for stabilizing groundwater levels within the Harney Basin by 2058. While stabilizing groundwater levels would require adjustments for many irrigators in the basin, we are encouraged this approach will provide the basin with a more sustainable future. Please act now — comments are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13th.

Take Action Now to Support HB 2977 for Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife

June 21, 2025

On Friday the 20th the Oregon House passed HB 2977 with strong bipartisan support. If passed, this bill will provide critical, long-overdue funding for protecting Oregon’s native fish and wildlife, restoring habitats, reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, and supporting efforts to help people and wildlife coexist. Now the bill is moving to the Oregon Senate — we need your help one more time to get it across the finish line.

We Need Your Support for Oregon Senate Bill 1153

June 10, 2025

With days to go in the state legislative session, the fate of SB 1153 is in the balance. The bill would require the state to consider streamflow impacts when non-municipal water right holders seek to move their surface water diversion point upstream, or groundwater well within a quarter-mile of a stream — an important step forward in modernizing Oregon’s archaic water right transfer laws. Please help us get SB 1153 over the finish line by following the steps in our action alert to contact your state senator and representative to urge a “yes” vote.

Weigh in Now Against Three Bad Rules Bills

June 9, 2025

Speak up NOW to help us stop three bad rules bills targeting state rulemakings, agency discretion, and executive functions. The bills — HB 3569, HB 2692, and HB 2454 — follow the federal trend of blurring the lines between the three branches of government, and gives the regulated industry a leg up in rules and agency oversight, and with the 2025 Oregon legislative session nearing its end, things are moving so quickly we need you to speak up immediately.

Secure Passage of SB 1153 to Ensure Fish and Water Quality Aren’t Harmed in Water Right Transfers

June 3, 2025

Many of Oregon’s outdated water laws are at odds with our state’s conservation values, and as we enter the final weeks of the 2025 legislative session we need your help to pass Senate Bill 1153, which would require the Oregon Water Resources Department to consider streamflow impacts as part of its process for reviewing proposed water right changes, known as transfers. It’s the best opportunity to make a difference for our rivers in this session, and we need your help NOW.

Help Save the Federal Endangered Species Act

May 5, 2025

As part of its attacks on our nation’s long-standing environmental laws and policies, the White House is threatening a critical underpinning of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by proposing to remove the regulatory definition of “harm,” an important term central to prohibiting activity that could impair the habitat of protected species under the ESA. Take a moment to tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to reject this proposed rule change. Comments are due May 19th.

Submit Written Testimony in Support of SB 1153

March 21, 2025

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. Today we’re asking for your support on SB 1153, a similar bill that would ensure fish and water quality aren’t harmed in water right transfers. While the deadline to submit testimony in support of SB 1153 is Thursday, March 27th, we could use your testimony ahead of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire hearing on the bill on Tuesday, March 25th. Can we count on you to submit your testimony by 1 p.m. on the 25th?

Speak Out Now Against HB 3501 — A Terrible Bill for Water

March 8, 2025

There’s no two ways about it: HB 3501 is a terrible bill that would prohibit the state from considering public interest values — including the effects on fish, wildlife, and water quality — when evaluating applications to change existing water rights in a process called a “transfer.” While other states have adopted standards of review to protect the public interest and/or the environment in water right transfers, Oregon has lagged behind. SB 427 and SB 1153 would close this loophole, but HB 3501 would solidify it. With your help, we’re not going to let that happen.

Take Action on SB 427 — Oregon Rivers Need Water, and Our Help

Feb. 21, 2025

Submit comments now in support of SB 427 to close an antiquated state water law loophole that allows water right transfers without considering impacts to streamflows, fish, wildlife, or water quality. The deadline to submit your comments is Thursday, Feb. 27th, by 1 p.m.

Support SB 5543 at the Oregon Joint Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee

Feb. 17, 2025

The Oregon Water Resources Department is charged with managing Oregon’s waters, but the agency needs data and science to provide smart, responsible water management. Help support SB 427 with your supportive comments by Saturday, Feb. 22nd.

Submit Comments to Support New Instream Water Right Applications for Southern Willamette Streams and Tributaries

Jan. 7, 2025

Please submit your comments now in support of new legal protections for instream flows for native fish and wildlife in the southern Willamette River basin today. The public comment period closes Thursday, Jan. 16th, by 5 p.m.

Submit Comments to Support New Instream Flow Protections for Mid-Willamette Streams and Tributaries

Oct. 22, 2024

The deadline to submit comments for new legal protections for instream flows for native fish and wildlife in the Mid-Willamette is Thursday, Oct. 31st, at 5 p.m.

Support New Flow Protections for North Willamette Streams NOW

Sept. 23, 2024

Act now to help WaterWatch establish new legal protections for instream flows for native fish and wildlife in the Willamette River watershed.

Powder River Total Daily Maximum Load (TDML) Rulemaking Process

Feb. 22, 2024

Due to the volume of nearby agricultural operations, the flow of the Powder River is high in contaminants and pollutants. But the Powder River belongs to all Oregonians, and should be clean enough to support healthy fish and wildlife populations, as well as recreation.

No More Winchester Dam Disasters

Aug. 26, 2023

Tell your elected officials to support removal of Winchester Dam near Roseburg and restore a free-flowing North Umpqua River that benefits native fish, wildlife, and the Oregon communities that depend on it.

Take a Survey to Support Oregon Rivers

May 23, 2023

Lend your voice to the water needs of rivers, fish, wildlife and the people and communities who depend on healthy rivers as part of Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) update.

Help Oregon Rivers Today — Speak in Support of ODFW’s Water Program

March 20, 2023

We know you care about Oregon’s rivers, or you wouldn’t be here. NOW is the moment to speak up of ODFW’s water program. It’s critical the Oregon legislature hear from you, your friends, family, and colleagues.

Tell State Officials the Time for Dam Operators to Add Fish Passage is NOW

Sept. 22, 2022

You can help hold accountable operators of dams and artificial obstructions on Oregon waterways that continue to block fish from migrating to important habitats.

Banner photo of the Middle Fork Willamette River courtesy of Jesse Lance Robbins.