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 part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
The cover is emblematic of our yearlong 40th anniversary celebration and WaterWatch’s groundbreaking legal work and advocacy in western water conservation, and our spring issue features the first of several Instream articles highlighting WaterWatch’s 40 years of service.
One of WaterWatch’s earliest successes was the development and passage of the Instream Water Rights Act, discussed as part of a conversation with WaterWatch co-founder and board member Bob Hunter, who co-authored the Instream Water Rights bill with fellow WaterWatch founder Tom Simmons. Executive director Neil Brandt also discusses WaterWatch’s legacy over the last 40 years in his Stream of Consciousness column.
Every issue of Instream is a collaborative effort by WaterWatch staff to share news and updates on water policy, our ongoing legal work, and photos from recent events, and our 16-page spring issue features several timely articles and features, including:
- The latest on Winchester Dam and our participation in a state fish passage enforcement proceeding that may determine the dam’s fate.
- Our ongoing efforts to close a loophole in Oregon’s water transfer laws that nullifies Oregon’s ability to protect instream values.
- Thoughts from fly fishing author Steve Duda, who joined WaterWatch for a pair of events to promote his book River Songs last summer in Beaverton and Bend and on KOIN 6 TV in Portland.
- Our lawsuit over a proposed large-scale open pit mining operation in Sunny Valley along Grave Creek, a tributary of the Rogue River.
- Acontested case hearing over a water right transfer that could exacerbate low streamflows in Bridge Creek, a tributary of the John Day River.
- Fall chinook salmon found spawning in a stretch of the Illinois River previously submerged under the Pomeroy Dam reservoir pool.
There’s also our WaterWatch in the Community and Transitions sections. Previous issues of Instream are available at WaterWatch.org.
Victories and successes for Oregon’s rivers and water, like those included in this issue, are made possible by the support and partnership of members like you! During these tumultuous times, your commitment to the preservation of our state’s special rivers, fish, and wildlife means more than ever.
Consider investing in this important work by making an online contribution today, or by using the remit envelope included in Instream. For additional giving opportunities, contact our development officer Jesse Robbins, and enjoy our spring Instream.
Look for individual feature stories and articles from the spring issue to be added to the WaterWatch website over the next several days, filed under the Water News tab.
Instream cover photo by Nicholas J. Klein. Instream cover design by Mount Hampson.
