Four waterways will receive much needed restoration in 2026, thanks to a partnership between Pacific Power’s Blue Sky® Habitat customers and The Freshwater Trust.
“This year, almost $150,000 is going to local river restoration,” said Monique Leslie, senior restoration project manager with The Freshwater Trust. “Blue Sky gives Oregon customers a tangible way to connect to freshwater and wildlife, and we’re fortunate to be a part of it.”
Through a $2.50 monthly donation to its Blue Sky Habitat program, customers have contributed more than $2.2 million to support important community-based projects. Each year, watershed councils and nonprofits have an opportunity to apply for these funds to help restore native fish habitat in Oregon.
Projects benefiting the Hood River, Imnaha River, Upper Rogue River, and Upper Willamette River watersheds have been chosen for 2026. Since 2011, more than 310 river miles have been improved.
2026 recipients:
- The Hood River Watershed Group (HRWG) will receive $25,000 to implement the second phase of restoration work on Baldwin Creek, including the removal of old fish pond infrastructure and the installation of large wood habitat structures. This effort builds upon previous investments in floodplain and riparian restoration and the removal of fish passage barriers.
- $38,000 will go to Trout Unlimited to reestablish wetlands and restore streamside plant communities along Camp Creek in the Imnaha River basin.
- The Freshwater Trust will receive $40,000 to reconnect side channel and floodplains on South Fork Little Butte Creek in the Rogue River basin.
- The Long Tom Watershed Council will receive $43,000 toward removing a portion of an outdated flood-control structure at Snag Boat Bend in the Willamette River basin.
Some organizations, such as HRWG, have received awards several years in a row to complete high-quality, multi-phase restoration projects.
“Multi-year support from funders is an important part of getting projects over the implementation finish line,” said Javan Bailey, Restoration Project Manager with HRWG.
Before: A perched culvert (a pipe under a roadway that is higher than the creek bed) forms a partial barrier for migrating fish on Baldwin Creek. Photo provided by Hood River Watershed Group.
After: The perched culvert is replaced with a wider arch culvert at creek level and the creek's banks are restored. Water flows more freely in Baldwin Creek and fish can migrate upstream more easily. Photo provided by Hood River Watershed Group.
Large restoration projects often must be completed in phases because the window for safely working in sensitive river habitats is limited to several months each year. Additionally, planning, landowner coordination, design, permitting, construction, and monitoring all take time.
“For the Baldwin Creek restoration project, we are grateful to have the support of the Blue Sky fund, which has allowed us to leverage other funding sources from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife,” said Bailey.
Since 2011, projects awarded Blue Sky funds have leveraged almost $40 million from other funding sources.
“One of Blue Sky’s strengths is its flexibility to fill in funding gaps for critical restoration projects,” said Leslie. “Often, Blue Sky funds are plugged in at the beginning and wrap-up phases of projects, covering things like design, permitting, and monitoring. All the pieces are needed for a successful outcome.”
Applications are reviewed by The Freshwater Trust, and criteria for evaluation include a scientific approach, technical rigor, and direct benefit to native anadromous fish species.
Spring and fall Chinook salmon, summer and winter steelhead, coho, lamprey, as well as cutthroat, redband, and bull trout are some of the native fish that will benefit from upcoming restoration.
About Blue Sky
About 143,000 Pacific Power customers currently participate in the Blue Sky renewable energy program across Oregon, Washington and California. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.
About The Freshwater Trust
The Freshwater Trust is an organization focused on using insight to solve problems at the intersection of water and the economy. By leveraging analytics, science, policy reform, and incentive-based solutions, we’re working to build and apply data-driven conservation solutions at scale.
