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39th Annual River Appreciation Day!

The 39th Annual Day of River Appreciation takes place Saturday, July 19th, 2025, honoring the waters that have shaped our history, sustained our ecosystems, and brought our communities together. We’d love to invite you to join us that day!

Our festival, complete with entertainment, activities, and food, will take place 12:00-6:00pm at River Forks Park. Join us there any time, or first take part in a river float and cleanup!

We’re excited to be collaborating with Experience Roseburg this year, who will host a River Float and Cleanup that day. Participants will begin their float at Amacher Park and end up at the festival at River Forks! Park at River Forks and catch a shuttle with your equipment to Amacher to begin your float there. More details on the float are below. 

Date: Saturday, July 19

Location: River Forks Park

Time: 12:00am-6:00pm

The confluence of the North and South Umpqua Rivers is more than a meeting of waters—it’s the heart of our community. For generations, this place has been a sacred and strategic gathering point. Indigenous peoples thrived here, relying on the rivers for sustenance, trade, ceremony, and connection.

But nearly four decades ago, that legacy was threatened when a catastrophic spill polluted the river, prompting outrage, reflection — and action. In the wake of that disaster, a statewide proclamation was made to recognize the essential value of our rivers. Thus, River Appreciation Day in Oregon was born, and with it, an annual tradition to protect and celebrate our waterways.

Now in its 39th year, this event is a vibrant, free, community-wide gathering filled with music, art, environmental education, hands-on activities, and a renewed commitment to water justice and ecological stewardship.

For more information or to sign up to have a booth or table, please contact julie@umpquarivers.org or call 541-672-7065

Details on the River Cleanup Float:

Experience Roseburg is hosting the float.

Who:
You! The Smash the Trash River Float & Cleanup is open to anyone who wants to help pick up trash and enjoy a river float at the same time.
What:
In collaboration with Umpqua Watersheds River Appreciation Day event Experience Roseburg is coordinating a river float where participants will collect trash as they make their way down the river.
When:
Saturday, July 19th
10am-5pm.
Where:
The float begins at Amacher Park and ends at River Forks. Due to parking constraints, participants are encouraged to drop their floaties at Amacher and park their vehicles at River Forks. A complimentary shuttle will be available to shuttle you back to Amacher Park where you can start the float. Shuttle service will run from 10 am – 1 pm and will run every 30 minutes.
Why:
To enjoy a fun float on the North Umpqua River and to help keep the mighty North Umpqua River clean and trash free!
How:
Put your flotation device in the river at Amacher Park and enjoy the North Umpqua River as it guides you all the way to the take out at River Forks. When you put in at Amacher, you will be provided with a wristband and mesh bag to hold any trash that you gather along your float. When you finish the float and take out at River Forks, you can hand in your trash and we will provide you with complimentary tacos or a burrito from Taco La Rena (while supplies last). All floaters are required to sign a waiver before embarking on the river as well as provide their own flotation device, required life jackets and any related permits.
IMPORTANT:
  • Please bring only inflatables, our shuttle can’t store hard bottom kayaks or boats.
  • Please bring your own life jackets. The sheriff will be on the river patrolling.
  • If your boat is over 10 feet long please get a permit here. (if you already have one, have the permit handy).
  • Free tacos/burritos are one meal per person and only while supplies last.
  • Participants will have to sign a waiver to participate in the float & cleanup.
  • Experience Roseburg is not responsible for actions while on the river, please know your limits, only go on the river if you know how to swim, be safe, responsible and respectful of the river and others.

 

 

History of Oregon’s River Appreciation Day, centered around the North and South Umpqua Rivers:

In 1987, Roseburg completed a new $12 million sewage treatment plant—but without a backup generator. Shortly thereafter, power outages caused untreated sewage to enter the Umpqua River

Outraged community members—including local conservationists like Bob Allen, Bob Hoehne, and Tony Dean —protested vigorously until city officials installed a backup power system.

In celebration of this win and to shift focus to the river’s significance, they organized a community festival at River Forks Park, launching what became River Appreciation Day.

The event grew beyond its roots in protest. It began featuring live music, dancing, food, storytelling, and environmental education, celebrating the cultural, historical, and ecological value of the rivers.

Importantly, the site of the festival—the confluence of North and South Umpqua—has long been a sacred gathering place for Native American tribes, a hub for trade, community life, and ceremony.

The state proclamation was formally signed in 1989,  but by mid-1990s, Oregon policymakers were formally recognized the festival, leading to the establishment of a statewide River Appreciation Day. The tradition has persisted ever since.