Clean water connects us all. Discover the health of our local streams—and the work we can do together to protect them.
A CALL TO ACTION
Our watershed needs us.
The 2025 D+ grade reflects the pressures our streams face from pollution, land use and weather whiplash—from prolonged drought to heavy rain.
There is a path forward. By monitoring our streams, restoring habitats and protecting the land around them, we can build a healthier future for our water.
THE STORY BEHIND THE GRADE
Climate Whiplash: From Drought to Downpours
First, the rain stopped. An exceptionally dry fall in 2024 gave way to a dry winter. Streams ran low, leaving less room for aquatic life and concentrating pollutants in the water that remained.
Then came the downpours. Heavy rain in May 2025 brought welcome relief—but also washed sediment and pollutants from roads, lawns and fields into our streams.
For our streams, the shift from drought to downpours brought relief—and new challenges.
This weather whiplash added to the everyday pressures of pollution and land use, contributing to the 2025 D+ grade. RHA’s long-term monitoring helps us see the whole story—and turn what we learn into action for cleaner, healthier water.
Discover the full story in the report
LOCAL SCIENCE. LASTING IMPACT.
Knowledge becomes action.
RHA scientists and trained volunteers monitored 80 stream sites in 2025. More than three decades of consistent data help us spot threats, guide restoration and measure progress.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
A healthier watershed starts with all of us.
Volunteer, support stream restoration or speak up for clean water. Every action helps protect the water in our rivers, our streams and our homes.
Credits: banner photo by Dallas Hetherington