Pacific Rivers
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  • About Us
    • Mission, Vision, Approach
    • History
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    • Staff
  • Our Work
    • Outstanding Resource Waters >
      • Steamboat Creek
      • Illinois River
    • North Umpqua River >
      • Wild Steelhead Sanctuary Act
      • Snorkel Surveys
    • Hells Canyon Water Quality >
      • Mercury Contamination of Snake River Fish
      • Science Review & Look Ahead
    • Spring Chinook Salmon
    • Lower Snake River Dams
    • Watershed Education & Advocacy >
      • FOREST PROTECTION
    • Dam Removal and Prevention >
      • Chehalis Basin
      • Free the Eel
  • Learn More
    • Newsletters
    • Films
    • Reports >
      • STEAMBOAT CREEK SNORKEL SURVEYS
      • CANTON CREEK SNORKEL SURVEYS
    • WA Spring Chinook Petition
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HISTORY

How we began

Two whitewater rafting guides — Bob Doppelt and Rick George — had witnessed the destruction of Oregon’s rivers first-hand, and started Pacific Rivers (then Oregon Rivers Council) in 1987.

Pacific Rivers went on to:

  • Help pass the largest Wild and Scenic Rivers legislation in the lower 48 states.
  • Became the first to advocate for protecting salmon throughout their range, not just in isolated locations.
  • Among the first to realize how much rivers are harmed by roads.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is the nation’s preeminent river protection law, designed to safeguard values like native fish and clean water by maintaining rivers in their free-flowing condition. Our first conservation win, just one year after our formation, utilized this law to protect 1400 river miles on 40 iconic Oregon rivers. Today, we monitor and advocate for already designated rivers, while seeking opportunities to designate more rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Check out our film Run Wild Run Free: 50 Years of Wild and Scenic Rivers 

Pacific Rivers has led the way in:

  • Protecting rivers, clean water, and fish in the landmark Northwest Forest Plan.
  • Launching one of the world’s longest-running stream monitoring programs.
  • Revealing the economic benefits of watershed protection.

A HISTORY OF PACIFIC RIVERS - OVER 30 YEARS OF IMPACT

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1001 SE Water Ave., Suite 450
Portland, OR 97214

503.228.3555 
[email protected]
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Support

Thanks to supporters like you, we are able to continue our vital work at Pacific Rivers while making a positive impact in the Great Northwest!
Donate Today

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission, Vision, Approach
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
  • Our Work
    • Outstanding Resource Waters >
      • Steamboat Creek
      • Illinois River
    • North Umpqua River >
      • Wild Steelhead Sanctuary Act
      • Snorkel Surveys
    • Hells Canyon Water Quality >
      • Mercury Contamination of Snake River Fish
      • Science Review & Look Ahead
    • Spring Chinook Salmon
    • Lower Snake River Dams
    • Watershed Education & Advocacy >
      • FOREST PROTECTION
    • Dam Removal and Prevention >
      • Chehalis Basin
      • Free the Eel
  • Learn More
    • Newsletters
    • Films
    • Reports >
      • STEAMBOAT CREEK SNORKEL SURVEYS
      • CANTON CREEK SNORKEL SURVEYS
    • WA Spring Chinook Petition
  • Take Action
    • Current Alerts
    • Email Sign-Up
    • Business Support
    • Share
    • Events
    • Contact
  • Store
  • Donate