The North Umpqua River and its wild fish are invaluable public treasures for our community and our state. For decades, these treasures have been diminished by Winchester Dam, a structure that's sole purpose is to provide recreation for a few private homeowners. Owners of the dam, Winchester Water Control District, have failed to maintain the dam structure for the past 30 years resulting in major infrastructure problems that are a danger to our fish, our water quality, and the safety of our community. In 2023, attempted dam maintenance resulted in the mortality of hundreds of thousands of Pacific Lamprey, water quality violations, and blocked volitional fish passage. But there is hope. Native Fish Society is invested in our mission to restore the North Umpqua River to its former glory, reviving its wild, native fish population and returning it to a free-flowing river, providing unimpeded access to more than 160 miles of cold water habitats for native fish.

We're sharing stories of wild, native salmon and trout populations that are flourishing in the absence of hatchery programs: either because a hatchery program never existed or has been removed. If you would like to contribute to this collection, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

The North Umpqua River and its wild fish are invaluable public treasures for our community and our state. Wild fish species, such as summer steelhead, play a critical role in the ecosystem of the North Umpqua River in Oregon. They provide a source of food for other animals, help to maintain water quality, and serve as indicators of the overall health of the ecosystem. By protecting and restoring wild fish populations, we can ensure the continued health and productivity of the North Umpqua River and its ecosystem. However, native fish populations in the North Umpqua River face significant threats due to hatchery fish that are putting their survival at risk. To protect these important species, it is important to reduce the number of hatchery releases, implement sustainable fishing practices, and conserve critical habitats to support healthy populations of wild, native fish in the North Umpqua River.