When: April 30th 2025 5-8pm
Where: Oakshire Public House
The spring issue of WaterWatch of Oregon’s Instream newsletter consists of a short article detailing the current on WaterWatch’s efforts, in combination with Steamboaters and Pacific Coast Federations of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), on protecting official authorization to take part in a state fish passage enforcement case that might eventually figure out the fate of the 135-year old Winchester Dam near Roseburg on the North Umpqua River.
The groups are intervening in assistance of native fish runs and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and versus dam owners Winchester Water Control District (WWCD) and their legal difficulty to a current ODFW order needing the setup of brand-new and enhanced upstream and downstream fish passage centers at the dam in compliance with state law. WaterWatch and allies are collectively represented in this specific case by Earthjustice and Crag Law Center, and the Law Workplace of Karl G. Anuta.
Building and construction expenses for brand-new fish passage centers at Winchester Dam are anticipated to be about $100 million. The most current equivalent fish passage upgrade in the North Umpqua subbasin was at PacifiCorp’s Soda Springs Dam in the Umpqua National Park, which cost upwards of $70 million. On the other hand, approximates for Winchester Dam’s elimination variety in between $3 and $6 million.
This objected to case is the current in the years-long, prominent back-and-forth in between a WaterWatch-led statewide union of fishing, preservation, and whitewater groups and the WWCD over the dam’s bad management and continuous damage to the North Umpqua. The District’s governing board formerly declined the union’s 2019 deal to contribute $10,000 in engineering services to enhance the dam’s fish ladder function, and after that a subsequent 2020 deal to eliminate the rotting dam at little to no direct expense to the District.
WaterWatch’s official deal to eliminate the dam still stands. Click here to read the complete, detailed update from WaterWatch.
Sign up with WaterWatch personnel in Eugene this Wednesday the 30th for an Oakshire Inspires occasion at the Oakshire Public House at 207 Madison Street. As part of Oakshire Developing’s assistance for location nonprofits, WaterWatch will get one dollar from each core pint offered throughout the day, and WaterWatch personnel will be on-site from 5 to 8 p.m. to get in touch with you about our continuous programs and work, consisting of the Winchester Dam elimination project.
WaterWatch will have copies of the current Instream newsletter, complimentary Rivers Requirement Water and Oregon Rivers sticker labels, and raffle tickets for sale to win bundles consisting of books and our WaterWatch 40th Anniversary YETI Custom-made Water Bottles.
