Instream Water Rights Upheld in Drift Creek Decision
WaterWatch's Brian Posewitz was quoted in Columbia Insight this week about the Oregon Supreme Court decision on a proposed dam on Drift Creek in Marion County that upheld instream water rights. "The purpose of the flow needs to be protected throughout the 11-mile reach," said Brian. "The Supreme Court agreed with us and the Court of Appeals if you put a dam and reservoir in the middle of that protected reach, you're not protecting the beneficial use of the instream water right, which is for cutthroat trout spawning and rearing."

Judge Grants Reprieve to Outlaw Dam
A WaterWatch-led coalition working to remove Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River is considering appeal options after a federal judge found the derelict 135-year-old structure delays salmon migration but doesn't violate Endangered Species Act protections for Coho salmon. The dam — maintained solely for private flatwater recreation by surrounding landowners — remains the focus of state enforcement processes following a massive 2023 fish kill as well as water quality, fish passage, dam safety, and water storage violations. 

WaterWatch Board President Profiled in High Country News
Mary Lou Soscia was profiled in the Aug. 1st edition of High Country News about her years with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and her groundbreaking work with the Warm Springs, Umatilla, Yakama, and Nez Perce tribes. "We built a diverse collaboration for the whole Columbia Basin," said Mary Lou. "But with the severe cuts to federal agencies, lots of good people have left the EPA. I'm concerned those who replace me won't have the knowledge, scientific basis, and collaboration skills to solve really complicated problems."

August Matching Campaign Hits, Surpasses $10,000 Goal
As August draws to a close this weekend we're thrilled to announce WaterWatch's Matching Donation Challenge has surpassed our goal of $10,000 raised this month! Thank you to everyone who contributed! With your help we met our challenge, and thanks to the generosity of our anonymous donor WaterWatch received an additional $10,000 in matched funds! And there's still time to enter our guided fishing raffle with a donation as little as $50 by midnight this Sunday for a chance to win a guided fishing trip with Nick Rowell of Anadromous Anglers.

Celebrate WaterWatch's 40 Years on Saturday, Nov. 1st
Tickets are on sale now for our 40th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Auction on Saturday, Nov. 1st, at Castaway Portland at 1900 NW 18th Ave. We'll begin the rollout of our live and silent auction packages soon, so secure your tables and tickets today for the biggest river celebration of the year as we look forward to celebrating four decades of WaterWatch as we look toward the future. Parking will be available just down the street from the venue. Contact development director Jesse Robbins for event sponsorship opportunities.

Anglers Brave Hot Weather to Enjoy Speakers and Instruction
Thanks to all the friendly faces and WaterWatch members and supporters — new and longtime — who braved the heat last Saturday and stopped by WaterWatch's booth at the first-ever Rogue Spey Clave near Grants Pass to connect with development director Jesse Robbins about our mission and work, and enjoy a day of Spey casting instruction and fun along the Rogue River. Thanks as well to Southern Oregon fly fishing guides Jon Hazlett and Dax Messett for organizing a fantastic event. We'll see you next year!

Forty Years of Protecting Oregon's Special Places
With cooler temperatures expected this weekend around the state, you may be planning a visit to a part of Oregon you've only visited once or twice, or perhaps never visited before. To that end, we've linked our Forty Years of Protecting and Restoring Lesser-Known Treasures article from the summer issue of our Instream newsletter to offer ideas of places to go this holiday weekend where, in some cases, you can visit the site of a "less-heralded" but equally important WaterWatch victory and precedent-setting success story.