Support Strong Groundwater Rules in the Harney Basin
After an extensive, multi-year process, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) issued proposed rules this summer to establish a critical groundwater area in the Harney Basin that would ultimately allow the agency to limit pumping to achieve stable groundwater. Harney Basin groundwater supports a variety of fish and wildlife, like redband trout, as well as habitats like the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Let the OWRD know you support adoption of strong rules to stabilize groundwater levels by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13th.

WaterWatch Blueberry Benefit Event All Day Tomorrow
Join us tomorrow (Sat., Aug. 2nd) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a special blueberry picking day at Muir Blueberry Farm in Hillsboro, as the farm donates all its blueberry-picking sales for the day to WaterWatch of Oregon. Located at 30350 NW Scotch Church Rd., members of our staff and board will be on-site from 8 a.m. to 12 noon as we welcome guests and supporters and talk more about our programs and campaigns. Be sure to dress for comfort, and bring your own bucket or containers to take your blueberries home. See you there!

Attendees Beat the Heat for WaterWatch at Oakshire Portland
Tickets are on sale for WaterWatch's 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction on Saturday, Nov. 1st, at Castaway Portland at 1900 NW 18th Ave. We'll begin announcing live and silent auction packages shortly, but nail down your tables and tickets now and get ready for the biggest river celebration of the year as we reflect on 40 years of river successes with WaterWatch of Oregon, and look toward the next 40 years and beyond. Contact WaterWatch development director Jesse Robbins for remaining sponsorship opportunities.

WaterWatch August Matching Challenge is Underway
Make a donation to WaterWatch this month to take advantage of our monthlong Matching Donation Challenge. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, ALL donations to WaterWatch during the month of August will be matched 100 percent, up to $5,000 total. Also, each donation of $50 or more will result in one unique entry into a raffle to win a guided fly fishing trip with Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers for a professionally-guided fly fishing trip for one or two targeting winter steelhead on the northern Oregon coast.

Rogue Spey Clave Celebrates Fly Fishing on Aug. 23rd
WaterWatch of Oregon will be on-site for the first Rogue Spey Clave fly fishing event on Saturday, Aug. 23rd, at Griffin Park just south of Grants Pass. Organized by guides and casting instructors Jon Hazlett and Dax Messett, the all-day spey clave welcomes anglers of all abilities for a celebration of fly fishing on the Rogue, along with casting presentations and instruction, tackle demos, fly tying demonstrations, and dozens of exhibitors. Visit the WaterWatch Events page for more on the inaugural Rogue Spey Clave.

Summer Instream Feature: 2025 Legislative Recap
We've started to post articles from the summer issue of Instream at WaterWatch.org, including this piece on the long legislative session in Salem as WaterWatch advocated for rivers in deliberations on over 120 water bills, a dozen rule bills, and two agency budgets. Despite the difficult pace and tenor of the session, WaterWatch helped pass common sense proposals that allow for more sustainable water management and better protection of rivers and aquifers. You can see the entire summer issue online here.