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 Mateusz Perkowski | April 8, 2025 | Capital Press Oregon lawmakers won’t prohibit building large livestock operations in areas with heightened groundwater protections this year, but the idea may not be abandoned for long. Though there isn’t enough agreement on this “explosive issue” for the proposal to pass in 2025, discussions about remedying aquifer
Oregon CAFO Prohibition Bill Won’t Move This Session Read More »
By Mateusz Perkowski | March 27, 2025 | Capital Press Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek backs a bill would create a “targeted review” of water transfer requests to ensure they don’t impair water quality or threatened, endangered, or sensitive aquatic species. Of the three bills proposing to reform Oregon water rights transfers this legislative session, the
Governor Kotek Backs Oregon Water Transfer Reviews Read More »
By Samantha Kadera | March 11, 2025 | KDRV News WaterWatch of Oregon is urging residents to oppose House Bill 3501, a bill that would prevent the state from considering the public interest, such as the impacts to fish, wildlife, and water quality, when reviewing water right transfers. The bill would weaken protections for Oregon’s
WaterWatch of Oregon Takes Stand Against HB 3501 Read More »
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Oregon’s outdated water laws have long favored extraction over protection, but we have a chance to do something about it — in this legislative session.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 »
Feb. 14, 2025 Despite the chaos and uncertainty unfolding in Washington with our federal government, WaterWatch of Oregon continues our tireless work and advocacy day after day for cold, free-flowing Oregon rivers — including your favorite river! So with today being Valentine’s Day, show your love and support for Oregon’s rivers by sharing one of
Show Your Love for Oregon Rivers with One of Our Valentine’s Day River Cards Read More »
Feb. 10, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact:Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, jim@waterwatch.org Groups’ Petition for Party Status: https://shorturl.at/xf5eZExhibit A of Petition: https://shorturl.at/ITXd7Exhibit B of Petition: https://shorturl.at/lBVyOExhibit C of Petition: https://shorturl.at/dYf6i Fishermen, Conservationists Seek Intervention in Winchester Dam CaseSalmon, steelhead, and livelihoods at stake in case over dam’s outdated passage facilities. Winchester,
Fishermen, Conservationists Seek Intervention in Winchester Dam Case Read More »
Feb. 26, 2025 You may recall the fascinating image of the Wild and Scenic portion of Rogue River featured on the cover of the fall issue of our Instream newsletter, created through the use of a remote sensing technique called LiDAR, which is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging, which uses lasers to create three-dimensional
Thanks to Cartographer Daniel Coe for His Fascinating Presentation Read More »
Oct. 24, 2024 By Jesse Robbins For trout anglers in Oregon, fall and winter are especially intriguing times of year. Across the state are numerous trout fisheries available to anglers willing to put on some extra layers. Three are discussed here, and there’s enough water between them to keep any angler busy for both seasons.
Casting a Line: Fall and Winter Fishing in Oregon Read More »
Oct. 22, 2024 We need your help generating support for new legal protections for instream flows for fish along the middle basin of the Willamette River, including segments of the North, Middle, and South forks of the Santiam River, Calapooia River, Luckiamute River, Long Tom River, West Fork Marys River, and many more. As we
By KTVZ Staff | Sept. 12, 2024 | KTVZ News The Oregon Water Resources Commission voted unanimously Thursday to adopt updates to Oregon’s groundwater allocation rules, “marking a historic step in how the state manages and allocates groundwater,” according to the agency and its supporters while critics of the new rules said they will press
Water Resources Commission Adopts Update to Groundwater Allocation Rules Read More »
By Emily Cureton Cook | Sept. 12, 2024 | Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon water regulators have spent the last three years working on a plan to prevent groundwater declines that could cause roughly 40,000 home wells statewide to dry up. That plan now has a crucial greenlight. The Oregon Water Resources Commission unanimously voted for
Groundwater Rights in Oregon Just Got Even More Valuable — Here’s Why Read More »
Sept. 12, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact: Tommy Hough, WaterWatch of Oregon, tommy@waterwatch.org Zach Freed, The Nature Conservancy, zach.freed@tnc.org Oregon Water Partnership Applauds Adoption of New Groundwater Rules Coalition of conservation nonprofits commends state water commission for finalizing long-needed groundwater rules that will better protect drinking water, support farming, safeguard fish
Oregon Water Partnership Applauds Adoption of New Groundwater Rules Read More »
Sept. 12, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact:Tommy Hough, tommy@waterwatch.org WaterWatch of Oregon Commends State on Finalization of Long-Needed Groundwater Allocation Rule UpdatesRevised rules herald new era of water sustainability, marks conclusion of lengthy process to put state into alignment with mandates set out in Oregon’s landmark 1955 Groundwater Act. Central Point,
Water Resources Commission Adopts Amended Groundwater Rules in Unanimous Vote Read More »
Aug. 18, 2024 By Neil Brandt with WaterWatch Staff Oregon recently welcomed new directors at three of the state’s natural resource agencies with missions related to water, including Ivan Gall at the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), Debbie Colbert at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and Sara O’Brien at the Oregon Watershed
Opportunities to Secure Oregon’s Sustainable Water Future Read More »
By Gene Johnson | July 11, 2024 | Associated Press The U.S. and Canada said Thursday they have agreed to update a six-decade-old treaty that governs the use of one of North America’s largest rivers, the Columbia, with provisions that officials said would provide for effective flood control, irrigation, and hydropower generation and sharing between
July 3, 2024 By Tommy Hough In the four decades since WaterWatch’s founding in 1985, we’ve developed close relationships with many of our supporters, and WaterWatch has been endlessly fortunate to have forged a lasting relationship with the Bend-based Boyer Family Foundation, helmed by Jeff and Tracy Boyer. After years of consistent, generous giving by
By Emily Cureton Cook and Alejandro Figueroa | May 30, 2024 | Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) Oregon lawmakers and water users will be keeping a close eye on the man who could soon lead the agency in charge of water rights, farm irrigation rules and oversight of drinking water wells. Oregon senators are expected to
Oregon Senate Expected to Vote on State Water Director Pick by End of the Week Read More »
By Julianna LaFollette | May 29, 2024 | The Source Weekly The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is proposing new rules on how groundwater is allocated to better conserve water. The update would allow OWRD to assess if groundwater is available to support future groundwater rights. The proposed rules would guide OWRD in granting new
Oregon Set to Update How Groundwater Is Allocated Read More »
May 21, 2024 The public comment period has now closed on this initiative. If enacted, long-overdue updates to the state’s groundwater allocation rules will begin to rein in Oregon’s decades-long pattern of over-issuing pumping rights, and implement the guidelines of Oregon’s forward-looking, landmark 1955 Ground Water Act, including proposed changes to better account for impacts
Written Remarks in Support of Revised Groundwater Allocation Rules Read More »
By Zach Freed | April 10, 2024 | Bend Bulletin Groundwater levels are falling around Oregon, drying up wells and streams as drought becomes more frequent and severe. Oregonians must make smart water choices to protect our rivers and drinking water for the long term. Durable water solutions in Oregon require a science-informed approach. Pumping
By Kurtis Alexander | Feb. 22, 2024 | San Francisco Chronicle The nation’s largest dam-removal project, the dismantling of four hydroelectric dams near the border of California and Oregon border, may be the end of one story — but it’s the beginning of another. The native Shasta people, who were exiled from the banks of the
As Massive Klamath Dam Removal Project Nears Completion, Who Gets Once-Submerged Land? Read More »
Dec. 24, 2023 We’d like to wish you, your family, friends, and those close to you the happiest of holidays from WaterWatch of Oregon, and express our gratitude for your support of our work, and the preservation of Oregon’s rivers, creeks, wetlands, and waterways in what has been a landmark year for our organization. After
Dec. 11, 2023 There is so much to be thankful for this holiday season. At WaterWatch, we are grateful to supporters like you who make it possible for WaterWatch to protect and restore Oregon’s rivers, lakes, fish, wildlife, and people. This year was a landmark year for WaterWatch, and our expanded online 2023 accomplishments report
Happy Holidays from Executive Director Neil Brandt Read More »
Nov. 24, 2023 The holiday season has arrived, and with Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror we wanted to share a reminder that Giving Tuesday is coming up this Tuesday, Nov. 28th. When making your choices for giving this Tuesday, remember that Oregon continues to face powerful moneyed and political interests that will dam and drain
Make WaterWatch a Part of Your Giving Tuesday Investment Read More »
By Bill Poehler | Nov. 17, 2023 | Salem Statesman Journal The Oregon Water Resources Commission and the Court of Appeals have prohibited the dam, saying it might harm cutthroat trout that spawn in the creek. Oregon’s Court of Appeals this month upheld a previous ruling prohibiting construction of a new dam south of Silverton
Court of Appeals Denies Proposed Drift Creek Dam But Water District Intends to Appeal Read More »
By Alex Baumhardt | Nov. 13, 2023 | Oregon Capital Chronicle The cost of digging deeper wells could climb into the hundreds of millions if the state does not revamp groundwater permitting, officials told lawmakers. The Oregon Water Resources Department must update its 68-year-old rules for permitting new wells or double down on regulating existing
Nov. 6, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information please contact: Tommy Hough, WaterWatch of Oregon, tommy@waterwatch.org Oregon Water Partnership Praises Science-Based Proposal to Modernize State’s Groundwater Allocation Rules As groundwater depletion becomes an even greater crisis throughout Oregon and the U.S., the Oregon Water Resources Department has developed science-based rules to put Oregon on a
By Jim McCarthy | Oct. 30, 2023 | The Osprey At least 550,000 juvenile Pacific lamprey were killed this summer due to the botched repair of Winchester Dam on Oregon’s North Umpqua River. On October 6th, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) filed a $27.6 million claim for recovery of damages in the
By Alex Baumhardt | Oct. 27, 2023 | Oregon Capital Chronicle The operators of Winchester Dam in Oregon face more than $134,000 in fines for water violations on top of $27.6 million for killing lamprey. The operators of a southern Oregon dam and the company that repaired it face additional fines for violating state permits
By Joe Siess and Tim Trainor | Oct. 16, 2023 | Redmond Spokesman The state, which has proposed new rules to Oregon’s groundwater permitting process, has signaled the city of Redmond’s application for a future groundwater permit would likely be denied. The Oregon Water Resources Department is reviewing the city’s application and taking a second
State Signals It’s Likely to Deny Redmond’s Application for Future Groundwater Read More »
By Alanna Mayham | Oct. 6, 2023 | Courthouse News The multimillion-dollar claim by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday arrives after weeks of advocacy over dam repairs that killed at least 550,000 Pacific lamprey. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a $27.6 million claim for recovery damages against the
Oregon Demands $28 Million for Massive Fish Kill and Water Violations at Winchester Dam Read More »
By Claire Rush | Oct. 6, 2023 | Associated Press Oregon officials are seeking more than $27 million in damages over dam repairs they say killed more than half a million Pacific lamprey fish in what they’ve described as one of the largest damages claims for illegal killing of wildlife in state history. In a
By Alanna Mayham | Sept. 11, 2023 | Courthouse News Service Monday’s order upholds the notion that irrigators’ rights come after the Bureau of Reclamation’s obligations to protected fish species and tribal rights in the Klamath Basin. A magistrate judge in Oregon sided with the Klamath Tribes on Monday in finding that the U.S. Bureau
Judge Finds Feds Violated Law by Favoring Irrigators in the Klamath Basin Read More »
By Alanna Mayham | Aug. 8, 2023 | Courthouse News Service A nonprofit says fish won’t be able to access their preferred habitats because of the repairs. Some claim the dam needs to go. The Winchester Dam on Oregon’s North Umpqua River closed for three weeks on Monday for repairs and reservoir drawdown in an
Critics Argue Repairs on Oregon Dam Don’t Go Far Enough to Protect Salmon Read More »
By Emily Cureton Cook | July 25, 2023 | Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) State regulators have rejected creating new groundwater rights for a controversial destination resort under construction in Central Oregon. The proposed Thornburgh resort is seeking wells for a development near Redmond, in an area where declining groundwater levels have long raised ecological concerns and
Oregon Regulators Deny Another Bid for Water at Thornburgh Resort Read More »
By Kendra Chamberlain | July 13, 2023 | Columbia Insight Under a new law, dairy and confined cattle operations in Oregon will no longer have unlimited access to water. Large livestock operations will face stricter water rules in Oregon under a bill passed by state lawmakers earlier this year, in the wake of controversies surrounding
Historic Change: Facing Drought, Legislators Impose Water Limits on Livestock Read More »
By Sebastian Moss | Dec. 19, 2022 | Data Center Dynamics The data centers use more than a quarter of The Dalles city, and consumption is rising. The Dalles has dropped its lawsuit against The Oregonian, which filed a public records request to see the water deal it signed with Google. That means that how
