By Chrissy Ewald | Oct. 12, 2025 | Grants Pass Daily Courier One year after a concrete irrigation dam that spanned the Illinois River was demolished and removed, it’s hard to tell the dam was ever there. It was too early in the season on Thursday to see fall chinook salmon, but small juvenile fish […]
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 »
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
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 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 »
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
By Claire Huber | Jan. 27, 2025 | The Cool Down The privately-owned Pomeroy Dam in southern Oregon has been removed from the Illinois River. As detailed by KLCC Radio, removing this dam will allow migratory fish native to the Illinois River to pass the irrigation dam’s original site without harm for the first time
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 »
Dec. 20, 2024 As we showcase our 2024 End of the Year Accomplishments report, one campaign where WaterWatch continues to get big results is our long-standing effort to Free the Rogue from artificial barriers to native fish in order to bolster salmon and steelhead populations, enhance recreation and fishing opportunities, and increase resiliency to climate change. For decades, WaterWatch
Make a Gift Today to Support Our Work Freeing the Rogue Read More »
Dec. 6, 2024 With 2025 less than a month away, we’re happy to report WaterWatch of Oregon had another big year with several key accomplishments and landmark wins in our mission to protect and restore Oregon’s rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers. From a major victory for long-term water sustainability with the state’s adoption of new
Sharing Our End of the Year Accomplishments Report Read More »
As we reflect on the past year at WaterWatch, we have much to be proud of and much to be thankful for. We are especially grateful for supporters like you who continue to make it possible to protect and restore Oregon’s rivers, streams, lakes, and aquifers for the fish, wildlife, and people that depend upon
WaterWatch of Oregon 2024 End of the Year Accomplishments Read More »
By Chrissy Ewald | Nov. 27, 2024 | Grants Pass Daily Courier Demolition is complete of a concrete dam that used to arc 270 feet across the Illinois River near Cave Junction and blocked access to 100 miles of spawning grounds for salmon, steelhead, and other migratory fish. The removal of the Pomeroy Dam marks
On the Illinois River, Pomeroy Dam is Now Just a Memory Read More »
Nov. 27, 2024 Dear Friend, Going into this long holiday weekend, we at WaterWatch would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We have much to be grateful for, and I hope each of you can enjoy the next several days with family, friends, and loved ones. Here at WaterWatch, we’re especially thankful for
WaterWatch Thanksgiving Message from Executive Director Neil Brandt Read More »
By Roman Battaglia | Nov. 26, 2024 | Jefferson Public Story The Pomeroy Dam was first built in 1896 for irrigation. The current concrete version of the dam was built in the 1940s. Since then, it’s prevented fish like salmon and steelhead from going upstream to spawn in one of the Rogue River’s major tributaries.
A 126-Year-Old Dam Comes Down on the Illinois River Read More »
Nov. 26, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information, please contact:Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, jim@waterwatch.orgScott Wright, River Design Group/SWCA Environmental Consultants, scott.wright@swca.com Pomeroy Dam, West Side Road culverts before and after images here:https://tinyurl.com/3ebb76cmPlease credit photos to Crystal Nichols/Dustin Saigo Rogue River Basin’s Highest Priority Barrier to Native Fish Comes DownOngoing multi-barrier collaborative effort benefits salmon
Rogue River Basin’s Highest Priority Barrier to Native Fish Comes Down Read More »
By Lily Roby | Nov. 7, 2024 | Courthouse News After more than two decades of fighting, the East Valley Water District appeared before the Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday to once again push for approval of a water permit for a proposed dam. The district — which represents farmers between Silverton, Woodburn, and Molalla
Battle Over Oregon Dam Reaches State Supreme Court Read More »
Oct. 31, 2024 A year has passed since WaterWatch completed a priority fish barrier removal project on Takelma Creek in the Illinois River subbasin of the Rogue, and positive responses continue to pour in from both the local salmon population and the region’s scientific community. The multi-faceted Takelma project opened access to 3.5 miles of
Accolades and Salmon Follow Another Rogue Basin Dam Removal Read More »
Oct. 25, 2024 The fall issue of our Instream newsletter is arriving in mailboxes now, and despite teases the cover photo is an image of a plant, blood vessel, or microbe, it’s actually a portion of the Wild and Scenic stretch of the Rogue River. Taken by cartographer Daniel Coe, who has designed maps for National Geographic, Atlas
The Fall Issue of Our Instream Newsletter is Arriving in Mailboxes Now Read More »
Oct. 24, 2024 By Jim McCarthy We’re thrilled and honored to announce the WaterWatch-led Takelma Creek Barrier Removal Project, completed in 2023, has won the 2024 Western District American Fisheries Society Award of Excellence in Riparian Management. This multi-faceted project is primarily located on Siskiyou Field Institute property in the Illinois River subbasin of the
Instream: WaterWatch-Led Fish Barrier Removal Project Wins Award Read More »
By the Jefferson Exchange Team | July 10, 2024 | Jefferson Public Radio By one person’s description, Evans Creek went from “a hot bathtub to a flowing stream.” The key was the removal of a dam, more than a century old, 100 feet long, and six feet high. Evans Creek is a Rogue River tributary
Jefferson Exchange: Dam Removals Continue on Rogue River Tributaries Read More »
By Susan Hiland | July 3, 2024 | Grants Pass Daily Courier A work crew last week moved logs into place along the edge of Evans Creek, creating new habitat for small critters to hide and eat in. Just days before, the spot was the site of the old Williams-Whalen Dam, which stood for 128
Williams-Whalen Dam Removal Restores Evans Creek Flow Read More »
By Shaun Hall | July 1, 2024 | Rogue Valley Times Another small dam has been removed in Southern Oregon to improve fish habitat. The 150-foot-wide, five-foot-high Williams-Whalen Dam on Evans Creek was demolished last week about 12.7 miles upriver from its confluence with the Rogue River. “This is great news for salmon and steelhead
Third Dam Removed, Fish Passage Improved on Evans Creek Read More »
June 26, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information please contact:Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, (541) 941-9450, jim@waterwatch.orgBrian Barr, Rogue River Watershed Council, (541) 621-7226, bbarr@rogueriverwc.org Williams-Whalen Dam before and after removal images are available here: https://tinyurl.com/54dfjadxCredit photos to Rogue River Watershed Council/Crystal Nichols Third Dam Removal Completed in Nine Years in Rogue’s Evans Creek SubbasinCollaborative
Third Dam Removal Completed in Nine Years in Rogue River’s Evans Creek Subbasin Read More »
By Kendra Chamberlain | Feb. 29, 2024 | Columbia Insight In 2012, President Barack Obama praised a deal the city of Medford had made with the state to pay for shade trees to be planted along the Rogue River in order to offset the impacts of warm water discharges from the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Oregon’s Thermal Trading Program is Popular — It’s Also Expensive and Unproven Read More »
By Connie Page | Feb. 4, 2024 | Roseburg News-Review I have seen multiple letters and programs recently about removing the Winchester Dam. I appreciate all the effort being put forward by local citizens. With over 111,000 citizens in Douglas County, and only 100-plus benefitting from this dam, I am surprised we have not heard
Winchester Dam: Setting a River Free is a Noble Deed Read More »
By John Hunter | Dec. 14, 2023 | Roseburg News-Review Opinion There can be no doubt that the Winchester Dam will be removed. History will justify that its removal was necessary. Once the dam is gone and the private water ski lake drained, Douglas County — with wise and proper planning — will experience an
Winchester Dam Removal Necessary, Will Create Economic Boom Read More »
By Shaun Hall | Oct. 6, 2023 | Rogue Valley Times Fish have a bit more room to roam now that a 13-foot-high dam has been removed from a tributary of the Illinois River near Selma in Josephine County. The dam was removed in recent days from a property that decades ago operated as a
Fish-Blocking Dam Removed from Takelma Ceek at Ranch Frequented by John Wayne Read More »
Oct. 4, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information, please contact: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon Steve Soesbe, Siskiyou Field Institute Scott Wright, River Design Group Takelma Creek Dam before and after removal photos are available here: https://tinyurl.com/3fjd8dfm Please credit photos to River Design Group Second Rogue Basin Dam Removal Project in One Year Nears Completion
Second Rogue Basin Dam Removal Project in One Year Nears Completion Read More »
By Jim McCarthy | Sept. 10, 2019 | The Osprey As climate change stresses salmon, the benefits of Rogue dam removals stand out. The Rogue River, in Oregon, is one of the most productive salmon and steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest, with five runs of salmon and steelhead, plus lamprey and cutthroat trout. Yet,
Oregon Senate passes permanent dredging-ban bill By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune April 10, 2017 A permanent ban on suction dredging in Western Oregon’s wild salmon habitat championed by the late Democratic Sen. Alan Bates passed out of the Oregon Senate on Monday
Oregon Senate passes permanent dredging-ban bill Read More »
By Jim McCarthy and Bob Hunter | Jan. 10, 2016 | The Osprey The Rogue River basin leads a paradigm shift on dams. Three decades ago, the idea of removing dams to benefit fish and rivers conflicted with widely held values and beliefs. For many, dams were – and for some, still remain – symbols
Miners go to court over suction dredge moratorium By Mark Freeman Medford Mail Tribune October 21, 2015 Miners have asked a federal judge to block Oregon’s upcoming moratorium on suction dredge mining in wild salmon rivers such as the Rogue, claiming federal mining laws trump state restrictions on federal lands. A consortium of mining interests
Miners go to court over suction dredge moratorium Read More »
For Immediate Release August 10, 2015 Contacts: Bob Hunter, WaterWatch of Oregon Board Member, 541-778-3310 Brian Barr, Geos Institute Project Manager, 541-621-7226 Denise Hoffert, American Rivers, 541-619-5896 John DeVoe, WaterWatch of Oregon Executive Director, 503-295-4039 Photos and map showing both dams are available here. Video of Wimer Dam removal available here. Top Priority Dam Removal Nears Completion
Top Priority Dam Removal Nears Completion in Rogue River Basin Read More »
by Jes Burns | Aug. 5, 2015 | Oregon Public Broadcasting EarthFix Evans Creek is barely a trickle. A dry summer in Southern Oregon means the important salmon and steelhead creek, a tributary of the Rogue River, disappears below the gravel bed in places. Seemingly stagnant isolated pools are all that remain in some areas.
Two of Oregon’s Worst Dams for Fish Are Coming Down Read More »
By Mark Freeman | July 6, 2015 | Medford Mail-Tribune Construction crews next week plan to move into the Evans Creek drainage in preparation for removing the two worst remaining fish-killers in the Rogue River Basin, but they will show up already working under Plan B. A pending permit appeal blocking the demolition of Fielder
Flip-Flopped Dam-Removal Plans on Evans Creek Could Start Next Week Read More »
For Immediate Release April 28, 2015 Contacts: John DeVoe, WaterWatch of Oregon Executive Director, 971-322-5635 Bob Hunter, WaterWatch of Oregon Board Member, 541-778-3310 Brian Barr, Geos Institute Project Manager, 541-621-7226 Major Grant Awarded to Top Priority Rogue Basin Dam Removal Project Funding Means Salmon and Steelhead to Regain Access this Fall to 70 Miles of
Major Grant Awarded to Top Priority Rogue Basin Dam Removal Project Read More »
By Joe S. Louis | Oct. 23, 2013 | 1859 Oregon’s Magazine John DeVoe and his 10-year-old son, Will, climbed the banks of the Deschutes River toward Imperial River Company, wet from paddling a section of the Deschutes in Maupin. For the past decade, DeVoe has been the executive director of WaterWatch, an Oregon non-profit
For Immediate Release Contacts: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch, 541-708-0731 Janette Brimmer, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340 x1029 Conservationists Seek Solution to Critical Salmon Barrier on Rogue Basin’s Evans Creek Fielder Dam Ranks in Oregon’s Top Ten List of Barriers Harmful to Salmon, Steelhead For a pdf copy of the legal complaint click here. For additional background on this issue click
Conservationists Seek Solution to Critical Salmon Barrier on Rogue Basin’s Evans Creek Read More »
By Mark Freeman | March 4, 2013 | Medford Mail-Tribune Wimer and Fielder dams are cited as two of the state’s top 10 impediments to fish passage. The 100-year-old Wimer Dam that spans Evans Creek near this community is a classic example of a structure doing far more harm than good to the wild salmon
Evans Creek Dams Are on State’s List of Worst Impediments for Fish Passage Read More »
By Jeff Barnard | Oct. 19, 2012 | Associated Press The state of Oregon has denied a water permit for a mining company that wants to develop a gravel pit along a tributary of the Rogue River. The Oregon Department of Water Resources said there is already too much water being taken out of Grave
State Denies Water Permit for Mine on Rogue Tributary Read More »
