Native Fish Return Following Dam Removal
In a first, U.S. Forest Service biologists have found young Coho salmon and steelhead upstream of the former Takelma Creek Dam in the Illinois River subbasin of the Rogue. This comes less than a year after WaterWatch removed the structure, which had completely blocked fish from 3.5 miles of spawning and rearing habitat. This multi-faceted project provided a fish-friendly alternative to the old dam's water diversion, and replaced a fish-blocking culvert on Illinois River Road with a safer, fish-passing culvert, among other benefits.

Great Turnout at Powell's for Author Event — Bend Up Next
Thanks to everyone who joined WaterWatch at the Beaverton Powell's for the first of our two free events with angler and Mountaineers Books author Steve Duda, who read selections from his new book River Songs: Moments of Wild Wonder in Fly Fishing, took audience questions, and spoke with WaterWatch development officer and host Jesse Robbins. Steve will join Jesse and WaterWatch for a second Oregon event at Roundabout Books and Café in Bend on Thursday, Sept. 12th, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is open now.

WaterWatch and Author Steve Duda Stop by KOIN-TV
As part of our promotion ahead of Steve Duda's appearance at the Beaverton Powell's, Steve and WaterWatch development officer Jesse Robbins made an appearance on KOIN-TV's AM Extra program Thursday morning with hosts Emily Burris and Travis Teich to discuss Steve's new book River Songs, and talk about WaterWatch and the importance of healthy rivers and cold water flows in our state's environmental portfolio. We've posted the video to WaterWatch.org, or you can watch the clip at the KOIN-TV YouTube page.

Fun, Engaged Turnout at the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby
There was no shortage of crowds or environmentally-engaged Oregonians from around the state at the 25th annual PDX Adult Soapbox Derby at Portland's Mount Tabor last Saturday. With a variety of colorful soapbox racers hurtling by, our WaterWatch team spoke with dozens of attendees about clean rivers, watersheds, native fish, cold water flows, and handed out prizes and copies of our Instream newsletter. Thanks to the many humans — and dogs! — that stopped by to say hi and brighten our day. Photos are online now.

Live Auction Spotlight: Six Nights at Casa Luna Near Loreto
Silent auction bidding begins as soon as doors open for our 22nd Annual Celebration of Oregon Rivers at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5th, and you'll want to be prepared for our live auction — especially with a six-night stay available at Casa Luna along Nopolo Bay, just south of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California. If you surf, kayak, or paddleboard, this is one package you won't want to miss. Get the latest on all our live and silent auction packages, and purchase your auction tickets before early bird pricing ends Sept. 5th.

Opportunities to Secure Oregon's Sustainable Water Future
As featured in our executive director's Stream of Consciousness column in this summer's issue of Instream, Oregon recently welcomed new directors at three of the state's natural resource agencies with missions related to water, particularly the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). The change of leadership at OWRD presents an opportunity for the agency to lead Oregon towards a sustainable water future, starting with the proposed updates to the state's groundwater allocation rules.