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.

FOR experts make the case against pumping more water from the Delta 

The California Chamber of Commerce drops a bombshell voter initiative proposal to, in part, streamline and expedite environmental reviews of nearly any water project. If passed, the news will be bad for California rivers.

A thank-you to Rep. Nancy Pelosi for her magic congressional work to protect the McCloud River on the occasion of her pending retirement.

What’s more fun than rafting on a river? Rafting AND snorkeling with Salmon! Dive in an inside look at FOR’s recent trip down the lower American River

California Central Coast wilderness and wild & scenic river bill and Oregon Smith River NRA and wild & scenic river bill introduced. Tough Congress and Administration make passage chances poor.

California responds to federal government chaos. Friends of the River’s bill to permanently extend the state’s power to quickly add threatened national wild & scenic rivers to the state’s wild & scenic river system passes the legislature and was signed by Governor Newsom

As Congress considers bills that would weaken clean water protections, Friends of the River and partners are standing up in D.C. to defend the laws that safeguard California’s rivers and communities.

This reflection on resistance and renewal, from our Executive Director, Jann Dorman, reminds us that every effort to protect our rivers is part of a larger fight for justice, democracy, and hope.

Our salmon fisheries deserve better than a third year of closure. Restoring flows and access to habitat would make the difference.

In 2025, Friends of the River’s River Rafting Program made a strong comeback after several years of COVID and funding challenges—bringing people back to the water and reigniting the spirit of river advocacy.

A federal court ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to fast-track its review of endangered species protections for white sturgeon, a victory for Friends of the River and allies fighting to safeguard one of California’s most ancient fish.

The Pacheco Dam proposal joins a series of failed Prop 1-funded projects, as soaring costs and logistical challenges leave millions of taxpayer dollars available for other water solutions.

With AB-43 passed by the California Legislature and awaiting the Governor’s signature, the state is preparing for “ill winds” from the federal government by ensuring California can protect national wild & scenic rivers from potential threats.

SB-72, a bill recently passed by the Assembly, sets unrealistic water storage and conservation targets that could create major headaches for California rivers if signed into law.

We honor retired California State Senator John Burton for his crucial role in protecting the South Fork Yuba River through the passage of SB-496.

California’s legislature blocked Governor Newsom’s trailer bills, preserving public participation and preventing fast-tracking of the Delta Tunnel, Voluntary Agreements, and Sites Reservoir that threaten rivers and the Bay-Delta.

California’s legislature is considering two major water proposals that could reshape the state’s rivers. SB72 sets a goal of adding 9 million acre-feet of new water capacity by 2040 — potentially reviving 1950s-era dam visions — while ACA11 would divert billions from the state budget to fund water infrastructure projects, threatening rivers and ecosystems across the state.

Friends of the River is opposing a proposal to extend Yuba River water transfers, warning that reduced spring flows are harming salmon, steelhead, and the Bay-Delta ecosystem. Experts stress that restoring natural spring flows is critical for fish survival and habitat health.