The Corps of Engineers will be attempting to modernize the flood operations for the Yuba and Feather River…

Californians turned out in large numbers to oppose the Newsom Administration’s backroom water agreements, asking the State to adopt stronger flow requirements to reverse the collapse of fish and wildlife populations in the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. FOR staff gave powerful presentations…

Valley agricultural movers and shakers ask the President to finish the federal environmental review and move the illegal Shasta Dam raise forward while bean counters quietly shake their heads…

DWR’s planners revel in telling the California Water Commission about the big changes coming to the California Water Plan. Will it be a return to the bad old days? They say so, but will reality intervene?

Responding to a January comment deadline, FOR and our partners provide reasons why this proposed $1.1 billion dam on Del Puerto Creek makes no sense from an economic, water supply, or environmental prospective.

Here’s the latest regarding the state of dam proposals within California. A lot will sound familiar, but the stories are not all finished, nor all happy ones…

California’s wild and scenic river champions are at it again: Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives Jared Huffman, Salud Carbajal, and Judy Chu have reintroduced legislation to protect nearly 700 miles of rivers and hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands. Though these bills have been introduced before, their return signals unwavering determination to secure lasting protections for California’s rivers.

For decades, the Kern River has run dry through Bakersfield due to upstream diversions, but a historic lawsuit to restore flows has reached the California Supreme Court and could determine whether long-standing legal protections for rivers will be upheld. This critical case could help bring life back to the Kern River and set a powerful precedent for river protection across California.

One of the original founders of Friends of the River, Rob Caughlan was a driving force in the fight to protect the Stanislaus River and helped build the organization into a lasting voice for California’s rivers. A lifelong activist known for his optimism and leadership, Rob’s legacy continues to inspire the river protection movement—read Jerry Meral’s tribute to his friend and extraordinary advocate.

Ron Stork reflects on the passing of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a powerful Northern California lawmaker and staunch opponent of environmental protections.

Fish Over People — Friends of the River is fighting back against Executive Order 14181, which would weaken environmental protections and push more water exports at the expense of rivers, fish, and communities.

The Delta Conveyance Project moves one step away from gravy and closer to grave.

Urge the State Water Board to Set Strong New Flow Standards for Rivers and the Bay-Delta  

The proposed expansion of Pine Flat and other Valley dams is back in the spotlight, driven by political pressure despite clear limits on how much water these projects can deliver. History shows that new dams offer diminishing returns while worsening impacts to rivers, fisheries, and water quality.

Despite ongoing threats to California’s rivers in 2025, Friends of the River helped secure major wins—from pushing back against the “Triple Threat” of harmful water projects to strengthening permanent protections for wild rivers. Historic salmon returns, dam removals, and a revived river engagement program show that smart advocacy and restoration can deliver real results for rivers and communities alike.

Friends of the River Executive Director Jann Dorman reflects on a year of joy and peril while looking ahead to 2026 with a focus on building power, community, and resilience to protect California’s rivers.

Ron Stork reflects on the political power of river advocates, arguing that despite ongoing threats and losses, environmentalists have shaped California water policy in meaningful ways—and can continue to do so. Even critics, he notes, sometimes reveal that power.

Ron Stork reflects on the passing of Robert Redford, recalling a chance meeting in Washington, DC during the fight against Auburn Dam and the premiere of A River Runs Through It. A personal memory of rivers, advocacy, and lasting influence.

Here’s the scoop on how the new Proposition 50 Congressional districts could affect our efforts to protect five important Central and Northern California boating rivers.

Higher river flow and clean water requirements for the Tuolumne were adopted by state regulators in 2018, but have been put off for seven years while water districts developed a “voluntary agreement.” This agreement would abandon needed freshwater flow increases, and replace them with habitat. A new report shows why that’s a bad idea.