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LOWER ROGUE RIVER -- This council focuses on doing restoration work on the lower Rogue River, a national wild and scenic river, and its tributaries. One of the most productive tributaries in the Lower Rogue is Lobster Creek, where a partnership between the watershed council, U.S. Forest Service, and Hancock Timber Resources Group ( a private timber company) has produced a model for cooperative restoration. Salmon and steelhead runs are healthy and robust. The Rogue remains one of the most popular fishing rivers in the state -- and draws anglers from all over the country to try their luck. Chair: John Lighty. Meets: Second Thursday at 7 pm.; OSU Extension Office, Fairgrounds, Gold Beach. The public is welcome at all watershed council meetings. Info: (541) 247-2755

SOUTH COAST -- This council serves as the coordinating council and "umbrella" for Curry County watersheds. The group conducts projects in each watershed and works closely with the Curry County Soil and Water Conservation District on county-wide restoration projects. Chair: Lucie LaBonte. Meets: First Thursday at 7 pm.; OSU Extension Office, Fairgrounds, Gold Beach. The public is welcome at all watershed council meetings. Info: (541) 247-2755

FLORAS CREEK -- This watershed council is composed mostly of farmers and ranchers from the north end of the county. The council has been very active in recent years. Projects include extensive fencing and planting; off-stream watering; riparian restoration, and a pilot water quality management plan for agricultural landowners. Floras Creek is a system that is characterized by extremes: extremely high winter flows that cause extensive flooding -- and very low summer flows. Chair: Joe Brown. Meets: periodically, depending on members schedules. Info: (541) 247-2755.

ELK / SIXES -- This watershed council encompasses two "sister" rivers, one to the north and one to the south of Cape Blanco on the southern Oregon Coast. They drain a similar area of the coast, both have fairly large drainages, yet in some locations the rivers are only 2-3 miles apart. The Elk is a national wild and scenic river that is considered one of the most productive salmon streams for its size on the West Coast. The Sixes is in mostly private ownership, and is also productive for steelhead, coho and chinook. Projects include fencing, planting, and the placement of large wood. Chair: Joe Marsh. Meets: 4th Wednesday; 7 pm.; Elk River RV park. Info: (541) 247-2755.

PORT ORFORD -- This unique watershed council is responsible for Garrison Lake, its surrounding wetlands, and nearby Hubbard Creek. The council has done a great deal of monitoring in the wetlands and lake areas, studying nutrient recycling and checking for possible pollutants. The council also has a strong partnership with the local schools who aid in the monitoring and education programs. Chair: Holly Witt. Meets: Third Wednesday, 7 pm.; Port Orford City Hall. Info: (541)-247-2755.

EUCHRE CREEK -- This small watershed council takes care of Euchre Creek and is tributaries, especially Boulder Creek and Cedar Fork. The council has done extensive fencing and planting in riparian areas. Some of the native conifers planted along Euchre Creek and its tributaries are now big enough to shade the streams and lower water temperatures. Partnerships with local ranchers are strong. Recent restoration work in the estuary has improved rearing habitat for salmonids. Meets: As needed for project review.

HUNTER CREEK / PISTOL RIVER -- This watershed council has done extensive work on restoring salmon habitat. Projects include: bank stabilization to prevent erosion; replacing an undersized culvert with a bridge to help fish passage; the addition of large wood in a low-gradient tributary to improve habitat, and planting of native tree species to stabilize banks and improve riparian areas. Meets: As needed for project review.

CHETCO RIVER -- This watershed council handles the Chetco River, a national wild and scenic river that flows out of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in southern Oregon. The upper Chetco is generally considered to be one of the most pristine rivers in North America, as it flows through boulder canyons with moss-covered cliffs and waterfalls. A new golf course, Salmon Run Golf Resort, is working in partnership with the council to educate visitors about salmon life history. Jack Creek, a highly productive Chetco tributary, flows through the golf course, and salmon spawn all along the creek. Projects include riparian plantings and the addition of large wood. Chair: Roger Thompson. Meets: 1st Wednesday at 7 pm at the Chetco Ranger District Office (USFS) in Brookings. Info: (541)-247-2755

WINCHUCK RIVER -- This small watershed has part of its headwaters in California and part in Oregon. It supports runs of steelhead, chinook, and coho salmon. Restoration projects include bio-engineering of streambanks, including rock veins and willow plantings -- and off-stream watering to remove cattle and livestock from the riparian areas. Meets: As needed.

South Coast Watershed Council’s Mission
1. To protect the watersheds of Curry County; to enhance native fish populations; and to provide for enjoyment, education and recreation on our streams and rivers
2. To provide an organizational framework for all watersheds and watershed councils in the county
3. To test new management practices that are designed to support environmental integrity and economic stability in Curry County.
 
Lower Rogue Watershed Council’s Mission
1. To help foster, develop and coordinate a basin-wide approach to resource planning and management
2. To protect, enhance and restore the natural resources of the entire Rogue Basin through a framework of assessing the Lower Rogue Watershed’s conditions and trends
3. To implement and monitor proven practices and test new management practices, designed to support environmental integrity and economic stability, for the communities of the Lower Rogue Watershed.