WaterWatch of Oregon
@waterwatchoforegon.bsky.social
Protecting and restoring natural flows in Oregon rivers and streams to sustain native fish, wildlife, and the people who depend on clean waters and healthy rivers. Celebrating our 40th year throughout 2025.
Welcome to our final Currents of the year with more on the Drift Creek dam proposal, Harney Basin groundwater, a funding initiative for Oregon wildlife, and Monday's deadline to submit comments opposing Endangered Species Act rollbacks. Please be careful with flooding around the state this weekend!
WaterWatch Currents — 2025 Accomplishments Report Arrives
A proposed dam is back before commissioners, federal ESA comments are due Monday, and a wildlife initiative will go before the state legislature in 2026.
mailchi.mp
December 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Welcome to our final Currents of the year with more on the Drift Creek dam proposal, Harney Basin groundwater, a funding initiative for Oregon wildlife, and Monday's deadline to submit comments opposing Endangered Species Act rollbacks. Please be careful with flooding around the state this weekend!
The deadline to submit comments in support of new instream water rights for Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast basins, including the western 13 miles of the Nehalem River and important tributaries of the Alsea, Siletz, and Siuslaw rivers, is tomorrow at 5 p.m. Weigh in with your support now!
Take Action — Submit Comments Supporting New Instream Rights by 5 p.m. Tomorrow!
The deadline to submit comments in support of new instream water rights in Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast basins is Thursday at 5 p.m.!
mailchi.mp
December 17, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The deadline to submit comments in support of new instream water rights for Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast basins, including the western 13 miles of the Nehalem River and important tributaries of the Alsea, Siletz, and Siuslaw rivers, is tomorrow at 5 p.m. Weigh in with your support now!
WaterWatch's 2025 Accomplishments Report is in mailboxes now, and one highlight is our ongoing work to secure new instream water rights for our state's world-class rivers and streams, including our current effort to support 44 new instream applications in Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast basins.
WaterWatch 2025 Accomplishments Report Arriving in Mailboxes
Your support not only helps us with our day to day work for Oregon's rivers, but monthly giving helps with our long-term planning.
mailchi.mp
December 17, 2025 at 12:13 AM
WaterWatch's 2025 Accomplishments Report is in mailboxes now, and one highlight is our ongoing work to secure new instream water rights for our state's world-class rivers and streams, including our current effort to support 44 new instream applications in Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast basins.
The window to submit comments in support of 44 new instream water rights applications in Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast basins, from the Nehalem River to the tributaries of the Siletz River, closes this Thursday, Dec. 18th, at 5 p.m. Please submit your comments NOW ahead of Thursday's deadline!
Take Action — Thursday Deadline to Support New Instream Water Rights
The deadline to submit comments in support of new instream water rights in Oregon's Mid-Coast and North Coast basins is this Thursday at 5 p.m.!
mailchi.mp
December 16, 2025 at 2:35 AM
The window to submit comments in support of 44 new instream water rights applications in Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast basins, from the Nehalem River to the tributaries of the Siletz River, closes this Thursday, Dec. 18th, at 5 p.m. Please submit your comments NOW ahead of Thursday's deadline!
We're thrilled to announce our 2025 Accomplishments Report will arrive in mailboxes next week, and a PDF of is online now. There's no doubt it's been a difficult, challenging year, but WaterWatch has been successfully working across Oregon this year to secure lasting accomplishments for our rivers.
WaterWatch's 2025 Accomplishments Report Out Now!
The print edition of our 2025 Accomplishments Report arrives in mailboxes next week, and a PDF of the report is online now.
mailchi.mp
December 12, 2025 at 11:20 PM
We're thrilled to announce our 2025 Accomplishments Report will arrive in mailboxes next week, and a PDF of is online now. There's no doubt it's been a difficult, challenging year, but WaterWatch has been successfully working across Oregon this year to secure lasting accomplishments for our rivers.
Join WaterWatch Thurs. the 11th from 3 to 6 p.m. at Patagonia Portland at 1106 W. Burnside St. as we celebrate the holidays with shoppers and spread the word about our work in support of Oregon's rivers! Street parking is available, along with a wealth of public transit options. tinyurl.com/3ybdyp96
December 10, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Join WaterWatch Thurs. the 11th from 3 to 6 p.m. at Patagonia Portland at 1106 W. Burnside St. as we celebrate the holidays with shoppers and spread the word about our work in support of Oregon's rivers! Street parking is available, along with a wealth of public transit options. tinyurl.com/3ybdyp96
ODFW 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. next Thursday, Dec. 18th, we need your help now to ensure legal protections for these beloved coastal rivers and streams are secured.
Action Alert — Support New Coastal Instream Water Rights Today!
Support new instream water rights in Oregon's North Coast and Mid-Coast river basins ahead of the Dec. 18th deadline.
mailchi.mp
December 9, 2025 at 10:24 PM
ODFW 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. next Thursday, Dec. 18th, we need your help now to ensure legal protections for these beloved coastal rivers and streams are secured.
Look for an action alert next week in support of instream water rights for 44 Oregon coastal rivers and streams, submit comments NOW to oppose rollbacks to the nation's Endangered Species Act by Dec. 22nd, and join WaterWatch this Thursday the 11th as we return to the Portland Patagonia location.
WaterWatch Currents — Support New Coastal Instream Water Rights
Endangered Species Act rollbacks threaten wildlife and habitat, and we'll be in-store at Patagonia Portland Dec. 11th.
mailchi.mp
December 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Look for an action alert next week in support of instream water rights for 44 Oregon coastal rivers and streams, submit comments NOW to oppose rollbacks to the nation's Endangered Species Act by Dec. 22nd, and join WaterWatch this Thursday the 11th as we return to the Portland Patagonia location.
As you consider your #GivingTuesday choices, remember WaterWatch continues to stand up to powerful moneyed and political interests that seek to dam and drain our waters, and whittle away our rivers and streams. Strengthen our legal work and policy advocacy with a matched gift! tinyurl.com/yc2vpttz
December 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
As you consider your #GivingTuesday choices, remember WaterWatch continues to stand up to powerful moneyed and political interests that seek to dam and drain our waters, and whittle away our rivers and streams. Strengthen our legal work and policy advocacy with a matched gift! tinyurl.com/yc2vpttz
We could use your support as we prepare to go to court to help defend instream water right applications in the Umpqua Basin, plus the Trump administration is targeting wetlands with a newly-proposed EPA rule, our 40th anniversary video is online, and we'll be at the Portland Patagonia Dec. 11th.
WaterWatch Currents — Help Defend Instream Water Rights
Our WaterWatch 40th anniversary video and gallery of event photos are now fully online, and look for new WaterWatch brochures coming to an outdoor shop near you.
mailchi.mp
November 22, 2025 at 1:08 AM
We could use your support as we prepare to go to court to help defend instream water right applications in the Umpqua Basin, plus the Trump administration is targeting wetlands with a newly-proposed EPA rule, our 40th anniversary video is online, and we'll be at the Portland Patagonia Dec. 11th.
Over the last several years WaterWatch has supported up to 550 new instream water right applications in coastal basins, the Willamette watershed, and Umpqua and Rogue basins, but as we go to court to help defend several ODFW instream applications challenged by Douglas County, we need your support.
Support WaterWatch's Work to Defend Instream Water Rights
As we prepare to go to court to help defend several challenges to ODFW instream water right applications, we need your help to support our efforts.
mailchi.mp
November 20, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Over the last several years WaterWatch has supported up to 550 new instream water right applications in coastal basins, the Willamette watershed, and Umpqua and Rogue basins, but as we go to court to help defend several ODFW instream applications challenged by Douglas County, we need your support.
We're thrilled to share hundreds of photos from our 40th Anniversary Celebration earlier this month at our website and Flickr account. We've also included a link here to our newly-produced WaterWatch 40th Anniversary video, which had its debut at our anniversary event on Nov. 1st. All included here.
Our 40th Anniversary — What an Event!
Thank you again for your support this weekend, over the previous 40 years, and heading into 2026! More to come as WaterWatch of Oregon continues to celebrate and commemorate our 40th anniversary.
waterwatch.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
We're thrilled to share hundreds of photos from our 40th Anniversary Celebration earlier this month at our website and Flickr account. We've also included a link here to our newly-produced WaterWatch 40th Anniversary video, which had its debut at our anniversary event on Nov. 1st. All included here.
WaterWatch's 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction arrives at Castaway Portland this Saturday! Doors open at 5 p.m., and we can't wait to see you, your friends, and family for a fun night celebrating WaterWatch's first four decades with a fantastic dinner and abundant auction packages.
Getting Ready for Our 40th Anniversary Event on Saturday
Our 40th Anniversary Celebration is THIS Saturday at 5 p.m. at Castaway Portland!
mailchi.mp
October 31, 2025 at 2:07 AM
WaterWatch's 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction arrives at Castaway Portland this Saturday! Doors open at 5 p.m., and we can't wait to see you, your friends, and family for a fun night celebrating WaterWatch's first four decades with a fantastic dinner and abundant auction packages.
Join us for a chance to win a two-night stay for up to 12 people at the Mount Tom House near Eugene and a chance to purchase Fish Flank Pilsner Glasses from Montana artist and angler Derek DeYoung, with special thanks to event sponsor Northwest Nature Shop in Ashland! Ticket sales close at midnight!
40th Anniversary Event Ticket Sales Close at Midnight
We look forward to seeing you this Saturday, Nov. 1st, for our 40th Anniversary Celebration at Castaway Portland!
mailchi.mp
October 28, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Join us for a chance to win a two-night stay for up to 12 people at the Mount Tom House near Eugene and a chance to purchase Fish Flank Pilsner Glasses from Montana artist and angler Derek DeYoung, with special thanks to event sponsor Northwest Nature Shop in Ashland! Ticket sales close at midnight!
As bad as things are, good things are happening with Oregon's waters as detailed in Currents, including fantastic news on Klamath River salmon, Gov. Kotek's executive order this week accelerating climate protections, the one-year anniversary of our successful Pomeroy Dam removal, and much more.
WaterWatch Currents — Salmon Return to Klamath Headwaters
WaterWatch applauds Gov. Kotek's recent executive order, Pomeroy Dam removal spotlighted one year later, fall Instream arrives next week.
mailchi.mp
October 26, 2025 at 5:47 AM
As bad as things are, good things are happening with Oregon's waters as detailed in Currents, including fantastic news on Klamath River salmon, Gov. Kotek's executive order this week accelerating climate protections, the one-year anniversary of our successful Pomeroy Dam removal, and much more.
We're now two weeks away from our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction at Castaway Portland at 1900 NW 18th Ave. on Saturday, Nov. 1st. Purchase your tickets now as we "welcome back" our Yellowstone Gateway Adventure package as a live auction option, featuring two night at the Sage Lodge.
Tickets Are Going Fast — Get Yours Today!
Join us Saturday, Nov. 1st, for our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction at Castaway Portland!
mailchi.mp
October 17, 2025 at 8:18 PM
We're now two weeks away from our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction at Castaway Portland at 1900 NW 18th Ave. on Saturday, Nov. 1st. Purchase your tickets now as we "welcome back" our Yellowstone Gateway Adventure package as a live auction option, featuring two night at the Sage Lodge.
We're one month away from our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction on Saturday, Nov. 1st, at Castaway Portland at 1900 NW 18th Ave. A few weeks ago in Currents we teased a brand new live auction package, and we're thrilled to announce the incredible destination here! Get your tickets now!
One Month Out from Our 40th Anniversary Celebration
Join us for our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction at Castaway Portland on Saturday, Nov. 1st — just one month from today!
mailchi.mp
October 2, 2025 at 12:43 AM
We're one month away from our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction on Saturday, Nov. 1st, at Castaway Portland at 1900 NW 18th Ave. A few weeks ago in Currents we teased a brand new live auction package, and we're thrilled to announce the incredible destination here! Get your tickets now!
OWRD is moving to designate the Harney Basin a "critical groundwater area" after groundwater levels in some areas declined by more than 100 feet. But one Oregon state representative has filed a counter rulemaking petition to reject the state's proposal and allow for significantly MORE pumping.
Take Action! Help Stop a Bad Groundwater Deal for the Harney Basin!
A petition filed by Representative Mark Owens would undermine proposed rules to stabilize groundwater in the Harney Basin. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is moving to designate the…
waterwatch.org
October 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
OWRD is moving to designate the Harney Basin a "critical groundwater area" after groundwater levels in some areas declined by more than 100 feet. But one Oregon state representative has filed a counter rulemaking petition to reject the state's proposal and allow for significantly MORE pumping.
A returning live auction package for our 40th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 1st is our Ashland Dining and Show Getaway, featuring a two-night stay at the Ashland Springs Hotel, dinner at MÄS Restaurant and Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine, and two tickets for next year's Oregon Shakespeare Festival!
In 40 Days We Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary with You!
Our 40th Anniversary Event arrives at Castaway Portland on Saturday, Nov. 1st — just 40 days from now!
mailchi.mp
September 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A returning live auction package for our 40th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 1st is our Ashland Dining and Show Getaway, featuring a two-night stay at the Ashland Springs Hotel, dinner at MÄS Restaurant and Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine, and two tickets for next year's Oregon Shakespeare Festival!
Early bird ticket pricing for our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction ends TONIGHT at midnight. That means you only have a few hours to purchase your tickets and tables at the early bird rate of $125 per ticket before the price returns to the regular rate of $150 per ticket at midnight!
Early Bird Pricing for Auction Tickets Ends at Midnight
Tickets to WaterWatch’s 40th Anniversary Celebration are still at the early bird rate of $125, but go back to the regular rate of $150 at midnight tonight.
waterwatch.org
September 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Early bird ticket pricing for our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction ends TONIGHT at midnight. That means you only have a few hours to purchase your tickets and tables at the early bird rate of $125 per ticket before the price returns to the regular rate of $150 per ticket at midnight!
Drought conditions are increasing, "early bird" pricing for auction tickets is ending, and the deadline to comment on the proposed Roadless Rule repeal is next Friday, Sept. 19th. We're also thrilled to learn ODFW will file for 44 new instream water right applications on coastal rivers and streams.
WaterWatch Currents — New Coastal Instream Water Right Filings
Increasing drought conditions in Oregon, Roadless Rule comment deadline next Friday, early bird pricing on auction tickets closes soon.
waterwatchoforegon.salsalabs.org
September 13, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Drought conditions are increasing, "early bird" pricing for auction tickets is ending, and the deadline to comment on the proposed Roadless Rule repeal is next Friday, Sept. 19th. We're also thrilled to learn ODFW will file for 44 new instream water right applications on coastal rivers and streams.
WaterWatch's 40th Anniversary Celebration is Saturday, Nov. 1st, as we christen Castaway Portland as our new auction location. We're thrilled to welcome back Sokol Blosser Winery as an event sponsor, as well as Oakshire Brewing. Take advantage of our early bird ticket pricing by Monday, Sept. 15th!
WaterWatch Auction Spotlight: Sokol Blosser and Oakshire Brewing
Tickets to WaterWatch's 40th Anniversary Celebration are still at the early bird rate of $125, but go up to $150 soon.
mailchi.mp
September 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
WaterWatch's 40th Anniversary Celebration is Saturday, Nov. 1st, as we christen Castaway Portland as our new auction location. We're thrilled to welcome back Sokol Blosser Winery as an event sponsor, as well as Oakshire Brewing. Take advantage of our early bird ticket pricing by Monday, Sept. 15th!
Depletion of groundwater accounts for 68 percent of water loss in increasingly arid areas. Based on 22 years of satellite data in expanding "mega-drying" regions, with one going from the western U.S. through Mexico to Central America, the culprits are fossil fuel use and overpumping of groundwater.
Humanity is rapidly depleting water and much of the world is getting drier
Research shows vast portions of the world are losing fresh water and getting drier. Groundwater depletion accounts for two-thirds of the continents' water losses, contributing to rising oceans.
www.latimes.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Depletion of groundwater accounts for 68 percent of water loss in increasingly arid areas. Based on 22 years of satellite data in expanding "mega-drying" regions, with one going from the western U.S. through Mexico to Central America, the culprits are fossil fuel use and overpumping of groundwater.
As we wrap up our August Matching Campaign we've announced the winner of our guided fishing trip raffle, who will join Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers in search of wild steelhead along the northern Oregon Coast. Thank you to everyone who made donations to WaterWatch as part of our August campaign!
And the Winner of Our August Fishing Trip Raffle Is….
The winner of our guided fishing raffle with Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers is a Southern Oregon couple whose names were drawn with the close of our August Matching Campaign.
waterwatch.org
September 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
As we wrap up our August Matching Campaign we've announced the winner of our guided fishing trip raffle, who will join Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers in search of wild steelhead along the northern Oregon Coast. Thank you to everyone who made donations to WaterWatch as part of our August campaign!
There's still time to enter our guided fishing raffle to win an epic trip targeting wild steelhead along the Oregon Coast this winter with longtime WaterWatch of Oregon supporter Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers! Make a donation of at least $50 to WaterWatch before 12 midnight tonight to enter!
Donate by Midnight Tonight to Enter Our Fishing Trip Raffle
We've met our August matching goal, but you can still enter to win our fishing trip raffle with a gift as little as $50 by 12 midnight tonight.
waterwatchoforegon.salsalabs.org
August 31, 2025 at 6:25 PM
There's still time to enter our guided fishing raffle to win an epic trip targeting wild steelhead along the Oregon Coast this winter with longtime WaterWatch of Oregon supporter Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers! Make a donation of at least $50 to WaterWatch before 12 midnight tonight to enter!