History and Mission

THE WATERSHED

Nestled between rugged mountains and the Pacific Ocean with over 580 square miles of rivers and creeks and a bay totaling 13 square miles the Tillamook Bay watershed is fed by five major streams. Tillamook Bay is a drowned river mouth estuary that lies at the terminus of five distinct tributary drainages. Tillamook Bay is Oregon’s second largest bay, and one of Oregon’s treasures. The bay supports a thriving oyster industry and some of the best runs of salmon and steelhead on the West Coast. In addition, broad fertile floodplains play host to rich dairy lands which produce world-class Tillamook cheese and other milk products.

The name, "Tillamook", means "land of many waters.” The Miami, Trask, Wilson, Tillamook and Kilchis Rivers all drain from the Coast Range to Tillamook Bay. The catchment is nearly square with the Miami and Kilchis Rivers flowing into the Bay from the north and northeast. The Wilson and Trask Rivers have the largest catchments and drain from the northeast and east. The Tillamook River flows into the Bay from the southeast.

TILLAMOOK BAY WATERSHED COUNCIL (TBWC)

Established in 1998 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2006, TBWC brings together diverse partners to tackle the challenges facing the Tillamook Bay watershed. 

Our mission is to engage landowners, local residents, and partners to restore and steward the watershed's natural resources through on-the-ground restoration, education, and monitoring programs.