Methow Watershed

07/14/2026

To continue the development of the Okanogan County Drought Preparedness Plan, we need to hear from you! This next step focuses on identifying specific projects to improve resiliency, decrease the hardships experienced, and reduce the risks to the water supply.
Join Okanogan CD and the Methow Watershed Council THIS WEEK on Wednesday, July 15th in the Methow Valley at the Twisp Grange Hall! The meeting will begin at 6:00pm and end at 7:30pm.
Share your ideas for drought resiliency projects by attending a community meeting this month, taking the drought survey at www.okanogancd.org/drought-preparedness-plan, or contact Jack Owen with Okanogan CD directly at 509-429-8078 or [email protected].
There will be two other meetings this July:
Okanogan Valley - July 22nd at the Tonasket Community Cultural Center (CCC) and a virtual meeting with online attendance only on July 29.

05/05/2026

This evening at 5:30 PM, Methow Watershed Council looking forward to meeting Mark Miller on the banks of the Methow at Homestream Park!

Parking: Please park in the lots at the ice rink or Town Trailhead. Walk toward the river and pass to the right of the Methow River Lodge to find the trail that passes under the highway bridge and reaches the park. Limited parking at the site is available for visitors with mobility needs.

04/29/2026

COMING UP SOON!
PERCEPTIONS OF DROUGHT DISCUSSION

We're excited to host Methow Valley: Perceptions of Drought -- a panel discussion at the Winthrop Library on Tuesday, May 12th. Join us at 5:30 p.m. for a social, followed by the discussion with guest panelists at 6:00 p.m. Our panelists are among 21 community members who graciously participated in the Council's 2025 Perceptions of Drought Interview Project. The interviewees--from agriculture to water suppliers to fisheries to recreation to habitat restoration--each brought a range of perspectives and insights on drought and its impact on their operations and livelihood. Come hear what they have to say! We're expecting:

• Jasmine Minbashian, communications director for Conservation Northwest
• Dylan Marks, Methow Rafting
• Vic Stokes, Rancher
• Craig Boesel, Rancher and Irrigator
• Kirk Lohman, Lost River HOA Community Water Manager
• Jake Gates, Town of Winthrop Public Works Superintendent

04/08/2026

Not unexpected, given the conditions. MWC will be hosting drought related information events soon. Stay tuned!

02/24/2026

JOIN MWC AT THE WINTHROP LIBRARY Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Starting at 3:00 p.m., our featured guest this month is Caroline Mellor, Statewide Drought Lead for Washington State Department of Ecology. Caroline leads the agency's work on drought and she will discuss the water supply outlook for 2026 and more. Council member Murray Taylor will follow and share an overview on water retention opportunities in the Methow Valley watershed. Learn a bit more on their work in the article below!

Join in person or on Zoom!

More info in our newsletter:

Our Vision: Water for our Rivers: Maintain sufficient instream flow for aquatic species Water for our Farms: To ensure sustainable agriculture Water for People: Sufficient water supplies for vibrant towns and thoughtful rural development

01/30/2026

Many of our local organizations are speaking to snowpack, water and current conditions. Find more info here in our newsletter as well!
https://mailchi.mp/7ab3a30b3e3c/forecasting-summer-water-views-on-our-snowpack

12/16/2025

Here's this month's MWC news, featuring an upper valley update from MWC Councilmember Boo Turner. The rain is startlingly impactful all over the state; read here for more on our local situation.

MWC meets this Wednesday. Meeting information is included here too. Take care of yourselves and each other! Check on your neighbor. And we wish you happy holidays!
https://mailchi.mp/cb6efa787d5e/upper-valley-creeks-wreak-havoc-with-december-rain

12/09/2025

We've been learning a lot about what awesome work beavers can do lately! Visit our website for a link to a recent presentation that discussed this project (November meeting)

Working with Nature: An Ongoing Story of Wetland Regeneration paints a picture of process-based restoration as an act of reciprocity. Through hands-on effort...