Oregon Water Trust

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.

As the nation’s first water trust, Oregon Water 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 – Oregon Water Trust restores freshwater habitat and improves water quality. By working with landowners, Oregon Water Trust keeps their lands productive and streams healthy – while connecting communities to the fundamental relationship between people, land and water.

Oregon Water 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.