The Clackamas River provides drinking water to nearly 300,000 people.
Clackamas County is home to ten watershed councils. These councils represent watersheds that are fully or partly located within the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) service area. The District values these councils as important partners because they share many of the same goals and missions.
To support cooperation and communication, the District and watershed councils meet twice each year at a gathering called the Council of Councils. The most recent meeting was held on June 10, 2026, at the District’s Conservation Resource Center in Beavercreek, Oregon. Directors from seven watershed councils attended.
The meeting was organized and led by Tom Gaskill of the Greater Oregon City Watershed Council and Alex Worth of Molalla River Watch.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land where all water flows to the same river, stream, lake, or other body of water. Watersheds are important because they collect and move water, provide drinking water for communities, support plants and animals, and offer places for recreation.
Healthy watersheds help reduce flooding and filter pollutants from water. This benefits both the environment and local communities.
What is a Watershed Council?
A watershed council is a local organization that works with community members to improve water quality and wildlife habitat within a watershed. Watershed councils carry out conservation projects, monitor environmental conditions, and work with partners to protect and improve water resources.
The Molalla River provides drinking water to people living in Molalla and Canby.
What is the purpose of the Council of Councils?
The Council of Councils gives watershed leaders a chance to meet, share ideas, and build relationships with others from across the District. It also helps participants get to know new leaders and explore ways to work together on shared goals.
These meetings have helped strengthen partnerships among watershed councils. As a result, councils have been able to:
- work together to apply for grants
- sharing staff and resources
- participate in regional efforts such as the Clackamas Partnership
- coordinate watershed-wide events, including plantings, cleanups, and weed removal projects
- share education and outreach resources
- support the development of the new West Willamette Watershed for our region
Watershed Councils Are Valued Partners
Each year, Clackamas SWCD provides Watershed Council Support Grants to councils located in Clackamas County. These funds can be used for staffing, training, education, outreach, and other important needs that are often not covered by project-specific grants.
Supporting local watershed councils helps expand conservation efforts in both urban and rural communities. Depending on their size and capacity, watershed councils help improve watershed health by:
- Bringing together people with different interests to create a shared vision for a healthy and sustainable watershed
- Planning and carrying out projects that protect and restore streamside areas
- Monitoring and improving water quality
- Identifying and removing invasive weeds
- Protecting and improving fish and wildlife habitat
- Organizing volunteers to complete conservation projects
- Educating community members about how watersheds function and why they are important
2019 OWEB Map for Clackamas County
Our Watershed Council Partners Include:
- Clackamas River Basin Council
- Greater Oregon City Watershed Council
- Johnson Creek Watershed Council
- Molalla River Watch
- North Clackamas Watersheds Council
- Oswego Lake Watershed Council
- Pudding River Watershed Council
- Sandy River Watershed Council
- Tryon Creek Watershed Council
- Tualatin River Watershed Council