Successful Removal of Pomeroy Dam on the Illinois River
Listed among the state's highest-priority fish passage barriers for years, demolition of the 10-foot high, 270-foot wide Pomeroy Dam has restored access to over 100 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat on the Illinois River, one of the Rogue River's most important tributaries. The removal of Pomeroy also marks the second fish-impeding dam (after Takelma Creek) WaterWatch has removed from the Illinois basin in two years. Southern Oregon Program Manager Jim McCarthy spoke with Jefferson Public Radio about the project earlier this week.

Trial Becomes "Litmus Test" for Groundwater Management
WaterWatch advocated for sustainable groundwater management in a trial in Deschutes County Circuit Court this month that may not only determine the future of the Thornburgh Resort near Redmond, but how the state determines water rights amid increasing concerns over groundwater declines vs. the threat of costly legal fights initiated by wealthy interests. Karl Anuta, an attorney for WaterWatch, told OPB the Oregon Water Resources Department "has an obligation under the law to maintain reasonably stable groundwater levels."

ODFW Determines Winchester Dam is "Non-Compliant"
The Missoula-based fishing newsletter Swing the Fly recently shared copies of communications between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Winchester Water Control District (WWCD), the owners and operators of the Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River, on the state's requirement for the dam to install fish passage due to a "laundry list" of violations resulting from the environmentally-calamitous repair work at the 100-plus year old dam in the summer of 2023. Read the full article here.

Thanksgiving Greeting and GivingTuesday Opportunity
As executive director Neil Brandt shared in a special Thanksgiving message to WaterWatch members and supporters on Wednesday, we're not only thrilled about the successful removal of Pomeroy Dam from the Illinois River and our organization's streak of successes this year, but we're looking forward to sharing details about a special matching donation opportunity to WaterWatch of Oregon running from midnight to midnight this GivingTuesday, Dec. 3rd. Details will arrive in your inbox Monday morning, Dec. 2nd.

2024 End of the Year Accomplishments Arrive Soon
As we enter the holiday season and begin to draw the year to a close, we're preparing our 2024 End of the Year Accomplishments summary, which will begin to arrive in mailboxes in early December. From the culmination of our decade-long campaign to update the state's groundwater allocation rules, to the demolition of Pomeroy and Williams-Whalen dams, to our support for new instream water right applications in the Williamette River basin, this year's array of accomplishments are a direct result of your generosity and support.

WaterWatch at Portland Patagonia Thursday, Dec. 19th
Join us from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19th, at the Downtown Portland Patagonia store at 1106 W. Burnside St., just across from Powell's Books, as WaterWatch returns to Patagonia to discuss our work to preserve streamflows in Oregon rivers, remove outdated impediments to fish passage, share our 2024 successes and accomplishments, and take part in some holiday tabling as we help gift wrap purchases in recycled Patagonia tote bags — with a few WaterWatch extras included. Visit our Events page for more!