Trout Unlimited Purchases Water Rights from Bob Russell

Trout Unlimited (TU) works to protect wild and native trout and salmon watershed, including the abundance of salmon and steelhead that habitat the Little Butte Creek. The organization worked collaboratively with Bob Russell and the Butte Creek Mill Foundation to determine the water flow required to keep the Mill operating and the amount of water needed to provide fish passage, ecosystem function, and water quality.

As a result of their research and collaboration, the team formalized an agreement to transfer a senior right in the watershed to TU. This agreement secures permanent water protections for Litte Butte Creek while also ensuring the Mill will be able to operate into the future by preventing users upstream from claiming or diverting the water flow.

This water rights transfer is the largest of its kind in Oregon’s history and exemplifies the Butte Creek Mill’s commitment and support of the local community, including the region’s native fish and river ecology.