WaterWatch of Oregon

10/03/2026

With 68 federally-designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers, Oregon has the greatest number of Wild and Scenic River designations of any state, covering upwards of 2,424 protected miles, or about two percent of Oregon's total river miles. Signed into law 58 years ago on Oct. 2nd, 1968, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act safeguards the special character of our nation's remaining wild rivers, with the Salmon River notable as being one of the original eight rivers designated under the act.

09/17/2026

Invitations for WaterWatch of Oregon's 24th Annual Celebration of Oregon Rivers are arriving in mailboxes now. Join us in Portland on Saturday, Nov. 7th, as we welcome our community of supporters, conservationists, and river advocates for an evening of recognition, appreciation, and celebratory support for Oregon's iconic rivers. And you won't want to miss our live and silent auctions, packed with newly-curated art, gear, gifts, and getaways for 2026 and beyond! More at WaterWatch.org.

09/15/2026

Join WaterWatch and the Lower Columbia Canoe Club tonight (Wed.) at 6:30 p.m. at Hopworks Brewery in Southeast Portland as we welcome Arctic explorer and canoeist Lee Sessions for "Paddling Across Time," the story of Lee and his crew's expedition down Canada's remote Hayes River above the Arctic Circle last year. It's not too late to RSVP for this special event at the Hopworks Mothership at 2944 SE Powell Blvd. The presentation gets underway at 6:30 p.m. We'll see you there!

09/11/2026

WaterWatch has several events this month we'd love for you to join us at, including two tomorrow — we'll give a presentation on HR 655 at the Forest Over Profits conference Saturday the 12th at 11:30 a.m., followed by our appearance at the Friends of Wallace Park Fall Festival at 3 p.m. Also, join WaterWatch for Lee Sessions' "Paddling Across Time" on Wednesday the 16th, and author Jesse Lance Robbins for a celebration of his new book The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere Tuesday the 22nd.

As we wrap up a long, hot summer and head toward autumn, WaterWatch has several events this month we’d love for you to join us at — including two this Saturday!

09/05/2026

Lots to cover in this edition of Currents including updates and additions to our Drought Updates and Resource page at WaterWatch.org, Columbia River salmon left to their fate in warming water, the latest edition of Willamette Week's "water hogs," our upcoming event with Arctic explorer Lee Sessions at Hopworks on Sept. 16th, author Jesse Robbins on Sept. 22nd, our upcoming HR 655 presentation at the Forest Over Profits event Sept. 12th, Roadless Rule comment deadline, and much more.

HR 655 presentation June 12th, Friends of Wallace Park fall festival appearance June 12th, Jesse Lance Robbins author event on Sept. 22nd.

08/27/2026

In conjunction with the Lower Columbia Canoe Club, WaterWatch is thrilled to present Portland adventurer Lee Sessions as he presents "Paddling Across Time," about his and his crew's 2025 canoe expedition down Nunavut's remote Hayes River — a seldom traveled route north of the Arctic Circle in Inuktitut, Canada's northernmost territory. The Hayes also has a special connection with famed Oregon explorer Frederick Schwatka. Join us at Hopworks Brewery on Wednesday, Sept. 16th. RSVP here!

In conjunction with the Lower Columbia Canoe Club, WaterWatch is thrilled to present Portland adventurer Lee Sessions as he presents "Paddling Across Time" on his and his crew's 2025 canoe expedition along the Hayes River above the Arctic Circle in Canada's largest and northernmost territory.

08/21/2026

The latest edition of WaterWatch Currents is online now! With Senator Ron Wyden's pledge last week to oppose HR 655 in the Senate, WaterWatch's Tommy Hough will speak at Sunday's Oregon Wild Rabble Rouser event on WaterWatch's communications response to HR 655. Tickets remain on sale for our 24th Annual Celebration of Oregon Rivers in November, and plan now to join us for events with Lee Sessions and Jesse Lance Robbins coming up in September!

Don't sleep on securing your tickets for our 24th Annual Celebration of Oregon Rivers, plus Lee Sessions, Jesse Robbins, and Rabble Rouser.

08/16/2026

Wonderful time Saturday morning for Feather & FLOW at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park! Thank you to everyone who joined WaterWatch for this beginner's birding walk, with special thanks to guide Eric Carlson, also known as Seymore Gulls, for leading our WaterWatch contingent through the wetlands with views of green herons, wood ducks, osprey, cormorants, and native sweet pea, chicory, and Queen Anne's lace. Great seeing everyone! Photos by Casey Armstrong and Monet Hampson.

08/14/2026

Reserve your spot today for our Shifting Tides Workshop! Join us next Saturday, Aug. 22nd, at The Salmonberry Restaurant in Wheeler as marine biologist Alanna Kieffer, a 2024 Stewardship Award winner from Travel Oregon and the founder of Shifting Tides, facilitates this special event using dried west coast seaweeds to make original, frame-worthy cyanotype prints you can take home. Any contribution to WaterWatch of Oregon secures your spot, so give what is most comfortable for you to attend.

08/14/2026

Thanks to Extinction Rebellion PDX for organizing Thursday's rally against HR 655 at Senator Ron Wyden's Portland office! We were pleased to learn Senator Wyden has now taken a position opposing the HR 655 public land transfer bill. Thanks as well to our friends and fellow conservation colleagues at Bark, Bird Alliance of Oregon, 350oregon, and others who were onsite, and to KGW-TV, KOIN 6, and the reporters and stringers who covered the event. All photos by WaterWatch's Monet Hampson.