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.

Habitat restoration is essential to the survival and recovery of important wild fish populations, such as spring Chinook salmon, winter steelhead, and Cutthroat trout, that call the Molalla River home. By restoring degraded areas and reconnecting critical spawning and rearing habitats, we can create more suitable habitats for wild fish to thrive. This can help to increase the size and health of wild fish populations, improve water quality, and enhance the overall ecological health of the river. Habitat restoration can also provide valuable benefits for other species and the surrounding community, such as improved water resources, increased recreational opportunities, and a more resilient ecosystem. By investing in habitat restoration, we can help to secure the future of wild fish in the Molalla River and support a healthy, productive ecosystem for generations to come.

Native Fish Society is fighting to recover Oregon's most imperiled wild fish by building a groundswell of public supporter to advocate a Roadmap for Recovery for the Willamette's iconic salmon and steelhead. And we are challenging the management agencies in court, assuring that the legally required recovery actions are implemented in the basin.