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Restoring the Dungeness

Home to four ESA-listed fish species and a rich tradition of agriculture, the Dungeness watershed on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is the driest watershed in western Washington with rainfall totals more akin to southern California than western Washington. See how groups are working together to manage the area’s freshwater so that it can support fish, farms, and communities in this important watershed.

Explore the Dungeness

What We Do

Our mission is to protect and restore healthy rivers and streams across Washington so that fish, farms and communities can thrive for generations. We craft smart, collaborative solutions to our freshwater challenges that will withstand the test of time in our rapidly changing world.

Our Focus Areas

We focus our work in the following four areas:

  • Helping Rivers Flow
  • Reconnecting Water in the Landscape
  • Planning for Future Water Use
  • Developing Alternative Water Sources

Our Approach

Collaborative
We engage all water users for collective buy in

Creative
Our team crafts smart, evidence-based solutions

Transformative
We create lasting change for a rapidly changing world

Washington's Freshwater

Is There Enough?

Commonly thought of as a water-rich state, Washington's freshwater resources are at risk from past mismanagement, climate change, and increasing demand. The good news is we are doing something about it.

Our Impact

Since 1998, we have worked across the state from the San Juan Islands to the Palouse restoring water to thousands of river miles in more than 50 rivers and streams.

See Our Impact

Teanaway: A Stream Flows Again

The Teanaway River, a critical tributary in the Yakima basin for salmon, steelhead and trout, struggled for many years, often running dry. Watch our short film Teanaway: A Stream Flows Again to see how people are coming together to help the river make a comeback.

Support Our Work

You can help Washington's beautiful rivers flow full and cool tomorrow and into the future.

News + Events

Dungeness Reservoir Open House Set for December 6, 2022

A public open house has been set for 6-8 pm, Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at the Dungeness River Nature Center: 1943 W Hendrickson Rd. Sequim, WA 98382. Community members can learn more about the proposed reservoir at the meeting that will feature a presentation by Clallam County and design engineers Anchor QEA.

Join us for the 9th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Join us online on Thursday, December 8th at 6:30 pm (PST) for our 9th annual hosting of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on tour! What better way to help restore Washington's rivers and streams than by embracing cozy season and snuggling up on the couch with some popcorn and frosty beverages for a fun and inspiring evening of nature, adventure and conservation film

See What You Made Possible in our 2021 Annual Report

“We are encouraged by all of you – our friends, supporters and partners – that see the writing on the wall; that recognize the urgent need to put water back instream so that our rivers, streams, fish, and communities here in Washington can be more resilient; so that we can have water flowing abundantly in our landscapes, bringing us joy and feeding our spirits.” - James Kraft, Executive Director

Teanaway: A Stream Flows Again

The Teanaway River, a critical tributary in the Yakima basin for salmon, steelhead and trout, struggled for many years, often running dry. Watch our new short film Teanaway: A Stream Flows Again to see how people are coming together to help the river make a comeback.

Washington’s Freshwater Under Stress from Drought

On July 14th the Washington State Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for the entire state with the exception of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. Despite substantial snowpack accumulation over the winter and promising water supply forecasts, the second driest spring in Washington since 1895 combined with high temperatures this summer has led to acute snow melt and critical conditions for Washington’s freshwater.

Video: Can Recycled Water Help Save Salmon in the Sammamish?

In case you missed it the first time around, learn how Washington Water Trust and partners are exploring recycled water as a food crop irrigation source in the Sammamish Valley and how it could benefit salmon in the Sammamish and beyond.

Get to Know WWT’s Newest Team Members

Over the past year, we are thrilled to have added three new fantastic staff members: Sarah Dymecki, Nicole Gutierrez and Aiman Shahpurwala who have each kindly taken a moment to share their interests, experiences and roles at WWT. Get to know these amazing WWT team members!

Understanding and Monitoring Drought in Washington

The Washington State Department of Ecology monitors developing drought conditions each year. They use information such as snow pack accumulation, precipitation, temperature, and historic and current weather patterns to assess drought conditions statewide. However, it's not just the state that monitors drought conditions, the public can play an important role as well.

Join us for a free online event to learn how recycled water can play a role in saving salmon in the Sammamish and beyond

Did you know recycled water is used in other states as a sustainable irrigation source for edible food crops but it is not yet widely being used for the same purpose here in Washington? Join us for a free online event on April 7th to learn how we are exploring recycled water as a food crop irrigation source in the Sammamish Valley and how it could lead to helping salmon in the Sammamish and beyond.

WWT raises $17,000 through Wild & Scenic Film Festival thanks to fantastic support from donors!

THANK YOU to everyone who tuned into our 7th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival on November 10, 2020. The online event turned out to be a great success with 140 households tuning in from around the country and helping us raise $17,000 to restore cool, clean freshwater to Washington's rivers in streams!

Welcome Our New Executive Director James Kraft

Washington Water Trust is pleased to announce James Kraft as its new Executive Director to lead the organization in its efforts to secure abundant, clean freshwater for Washington’s people, communities and environment for generations to come.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival for Kids & Teens

It’s never too early to develop a love for nature and adventure! That’s why Washington Water Trust is offering three FREE carefully selected, age-appropriate short-film programs from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival (WSFF).   Parents, plan a fun activity at home for the entire family! Teachers, add some adventure to your curriculum with one of […]

See Your Impact: 2019 Impact Report

Our annual Impact Report highlights the impact we made together on Washington’s rivers and streams across 14 basins in 2019. Thank you to our many partners and supporters for caring about and working towards a sustainable freshwater future for Washington! Click here to read the full report

Downstream Dungeness: 2019 Dungeness Water Exchange Annual Report

Downstream Dungeness is the annual report for the Dungeness Water Exchange, a water bank operated by the Washington Water Trust in the Dungeness River Basin on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. The Dungeness Water Exchange allows builders, homeowners and farmers to get the water they need while protecting the Dungeness River and other independent streams in the […]

Washington Water Trust Embracing New Leadership for 2020 and Beyond

Dear friends and colleagues: Firstly, and most importantly, we hope you are safe and healthy during these frightening and uncertain times. While we know you are currently focused on taking care of yourselves and your loved ones, we wanted to reach out and share some news regarding some recent and upcoming changes here at the […]

Meet New WWT Project Associate Ethan Lockwood

Ethan, welcome to the Washington Water Trust! First of all, tell us about your favorite river. This a tough one, but after a backpacking trip in the Glacier Peak Wilderness last year the Napeequa River has to be high on that list. It’s not for nothing that the Napeequa River valley has been described as […]

Keeping the Dungeness Flowing

Collaboration Key to Keeping the Dungeness River Flowing During the 2019 Drought “Well, of course we participate in the leasing program – there’s no snowpack and we need to keep water in the river,” declared Mary Bell over the phone to Washington Water Trust Project Manager Emily Dick. The river in need of water that […]

WWT Now Accepts Vehicle Donations

Do you have an old car, truck, motorcycle, boat or other vehicle you are looking to get rid of?Now, you can donate that vehicle to Washington Water Trust!It’s EASY, all you have to do is call the number or fill out the online form below then our partner CARS – (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), […]

We are hiring a Project Manager

Washington Water Trust is hiring a Project Manager to be based in Ellensburg, WA. This full-time position requires a candidate who will partner with landowners, tribes, conservation districts, land trusts, local, state and federal agencies to implement and fund innovative programs and projects with lasting benefits to endangered fish, streams and local economies. We are […]

Meet New WWT Team Member Kevin Haydon, Project Manager

Washington Water Trust is thrilled to have recently added Kevin Haydon to our team as a Project Manager based in Ellensburg, WA. Kevin, a lifelong Washingtonian, took a moment to share a bit about his interests, experience and what he will be doing for the Washington Water Trust. Welcome Kevin! Kevin, what will you be […]

An Interconnected Life

One of our talented interns, Anna Greene, from Stanford University shares her experience as the Streamflow Restoration Policy Intern at WWT this summer and waxes philosophical about the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world on the Stanford Out West Student Blog

Go With the Flow – How WWT Partners with Land Trusts

Click here to learn how Washington Water Trust and land trusts work together to ensure interconnected land and water conservation benefits.

Aquifer Recharge Season: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Written by Emily Dick, WWT Project Manager In the area surrounding the City of Sequim on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Washington Water Trust (WWT) has the opportunity to “give back” to the rivers, streams, and wells of local residents every year from May 15th-July 15th. As a project manager at WWT, I balance the Dungeness Water […]

Watershed Wonders with Middle School Students at Camp Biota

Written by Maggie Gonzalez, WWT Project Manager (Photo credits: Anni Ponder/USFWS & Julia Pinnix/USFWS) Early in April, I had the great opportunity to spend a day teaching at Camp Biota, a week-long overnight science camp for middle school students in the Migrant Education Program from various school districts throughout Washington State. The camp took place […]

Downstream Dungeness: 2018 Dungeness Water Exchange Annual Report

Downstream Dungeness is the annual report for the Dungeness Water Exchange, a water bank operated by the Washington Water Trust in the Dungeness River Basin. The Dungeness Water Exchange allows builders, homeowners and farmers to get the water they need while protecting the river for future generations. Put simply, the Exchange ensures that we put […]