What exactly is “stream flow” and how does it relate to healthy rivers? Simply put, rivers and fish need water. Though it may seem obvious that “rivers need water” and “fish need water,” it is only recently that scientists, policy makers and the public at large have understood the limiting factors of low stream flow on fish populations and healthy freshwater habitat.

 

As the nation’s first water trust, The Freshwater Trust restores stream flows by working collaboratively with willing landowners. We use a variety of cooperative solutions, including financial compensation, technical assistance and expert advice to keep more water in our streams and rivers – because water quality starts with water quantity.

 

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.