The StreamFlow Problem: Every summer, many streams across Oregon go dry or nearly dry. Often, more water is authorized for out of stream uses than naturally flows in the stream. As water becomes scarce, the stream’s temperature increases and oxygen and water quality decrease. More importantly, less water means less habitat.

 

The StreamFlow Solution: As the nation’s first water trust, The Freshwater Trust restores stream flows for healthier watersheds by using a variety of cooperative solutions. By providing a variety of incentives – including market-based compensation, technical assistance and expert advice – The Freshwater Trust restores freshwater habitat and improves water quality. By working with landowners, The Freshwater Trust keeps their lands productive and streams healthy – while connecting communities to the fundamental relationship between people, land and water.

 

Tools: The Freshwater Trust restores streamflow by compensating willing landowners to leave all or a portion of their water right instream in lieu of using it for out-of-stream purposes. We also can receive donations of water rights. These measures can range from short-term to permanent transactions. We focus on water rights with early priority dates and use existing laws to put water back into Oregon's rivers and streams.

 

The Freshwater Trust's work is advanced in partnership with other entities working on instream flow restoration throughout the Columbia Basin with support from the Columbia Basin Water Transaction Program.