Klamath River Dam Removals Resume with a Bang
Explosions set off at the John C. Boyle and Copco dams this month drained their respective reservoirs ahead of the dams' planned removal this year. The first mainstem dam on the Klamath, Copco was built without fish passage in 1922 and cut off some 400 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat in violation of federal treaty rights of the region's tribes. Four Klamath mainstem dams will ultimately be removed, following years of advocacy in support of a stand-alone dam removal deal by tribes and conservation groups including WaterWatch.

State Board Remands, Then Ignores Resort Water Impacts
Opponents of the Thornburgh resort being built near Redmond have long cited concerns over impacts from the resort's projected water use, and were initially pleased the state Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) remanded, or sent back, Thornburgh's most recent attempt to change its water sources to Deschutes County for more review. They were ultimately frustrated, however, when LUBA opted to ignore an earlier Water Resources Department (WRD) warning that the resort's water use would harm local water availability.

Short Legislative Session Gets Underway Next Month
WaterWatch had a big year at the legislature last year, but with 2024 being an even-numbered year it will be a "short session" in Salem, lasting just 35 days. As always, we'll let you know if an issue of concern blossoms into a bad bill, or if we need your help contacting your state elected officials to get a good bill over the line and onto the governor's desk. You can find your state senator and representative at this GeoMaps page with the address in Oregon where you're registered to vote. The session begins Feb. 5th.

Oregon State Scenic Waterways System
Prompted by the persistent damming of free-flowing rivers that, over time, resulted in damaged and reduced river ecosystems, the Oregon Scenic Waterways System was established in 1970 and expanded in 1988 to protect the natural qualities of 22 rivers around the state, along with pristine Waldo Lake. While some of the rivers in the system have revered names like the Metolius, McKenzie, and Rogue, less celebrated but equally magnificent waterways like the Molalla, Grand Ronde, and Illinois are also worth your time and exploration.