The Willamette River and 13 major tributaries encompasses 11,460 square miles in western Oregon. Over two-thirds of the state’s population lives in this region which also includes three-quarters of the state’s economic activity.

Over a three year period, The Willamette Future Project (WFP) catalyzed and accelerated work for a source water protection and investment plan for the Willamette Basin. The Project helped to guide new investments from drinking water utilities and related agencies to prevent and mitigate water quality, supply and temperature problems. The project identified opportunities to align and leverage existing work, and bring to scale.

The project worked in collaboration with the Willamette River Initiative, twelve Willamette water utilities, emergency response agencies, and agriculture leaders in the Willamette Basin.