Going to Trial to Preserve Willamette Water Temperatures
Next week WaterWatch goes to trial to challenge state approval of a "thermal trading" plan that underestimates the impact of a water withdrawal project for Washington County communities planned for the Willamette River near Wilsonville. Withdrawals can result in significant warming of waterways, and temperatures in the Willamette already get too warm for much of its fish and wildlife, including native steelhead and salmon. The plan also lacks details on related mitigation projects to cool river flows. Read more on our challenge here.

Winchester Dam Disaster Still Roils Umpqua Region
The Roseburg News-Review named last summer's environmental catastrophe at Winchester Dam the paper's second-biggest story of 2023, when another botched repair of the 130-year old structure led to pollution spills in the North Umpqua River, a massive fish kill, and an emergency rescue operation by state, federal, and tribal agencies. Weeks later, the state issued over $27 million in fines against dam owners. A WaterWatch-led coalition has long pushed to remove Winchester Dam, and calls for its removal continue to grow.

Weekend Snowfall Should Bring State to Seasonal Levels
After the first blizzard warning in several years for the Oregon Cascades and this week's impressive mountain snowfall it may appear snow conditions are about normal in the high country. But according to the Oregon Water Resources Department's most recent biweekly drought update, much of northeast, central, and southwest Oregon have received below average levels of precipitation the last several weeks, a pinch most readily felt until this week on ski slopes, which could have repercussions for streamflows later in the year.

Impact of Thrillcraft Commercials on River Conservation
A piece posted by Trout Unlimited last month calls out auto advertisers for years of increasingly irresponsible TV commercials showing trucks, SUVs, all-terrain vehicles and related thrillcraft engaging in destructive behavior in rivers, creeks, and other waterways in attempt to show off the capability of their vehicles, resulting in what appears to be real world "copycat" behavior. As Trout Unlimited's Kirk Dieter notes, "This behavior demonstrates a lack of respect for nature, and each other, that's eating away at the soul of many outdoor pursuits."