Clean Water Act: EPA rolls back critical protections for streams & wetlands

This new rule, for the first time in almost 50 years, will allow developers and landowners to discharge pollutants including pesticides, fertilizers and industrial chemicals directly into thousands of waterways across the United States.

BNSF Train Derails into Kootenai River

Early in the morning of January 1st, 2020, a locomotive derailed due to a rock slide and derailed into the Kootenai River near Moyie Springs. One of the derailed engines leaked diesel and other toxins into the river while the community waited over a month for the site to be cleaned up.

Our Lake for Life

Ensuring our local waterways remain Drinkable, Fishable & Swimmable for Future Generations.

Waterkeeper Alliance

Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper is a proud member of the WATERKEEPER® Alliance with more than 300 local Waterkeeper groups protecting water on six continents.

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Advocacy

To improve water quality by advocating and, when necessary, litigating for increased regulatory control of water pollution and for stronger enforcement of water quality-related laws.

Monitoring

Strengthen our monitoring programs to produce quality data that can be used by regulatory agencies or courts to improve water quality.

Education and Outreach

Expand education and outreach opportunities to engage greater numbers of people and influence a change in individual behaviors that cause water pollution and aquatic habitat degradation.

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Read the Latest News & Press

How to love your lake during COVID-19: Suggestions from the LPOW Team

Mar 24, 2020 | Environment

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus and the threat of COVID-19 has induced widespread concern across the globe. Even our small community in north Idaho is affected and we are all learning how to deal with this new and altered reality. During this time, we must come...

The City of Sandpoint’s beaches will remain herbicide-free until 2023

Feb 27, 2020 | Invasive Species

Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper (LPOW) would like to thank the City of Sandpoint for continuing its effort to keep our swimming areas free of aquatic herbicides. This project was started as a partnership by LPOW and the City of Sandpoint 7 years ago and we are thrilled...

Canadian crude oil train derails and catches fire

Feb 11, 2020 | Train Derailment

Early morning on February 6th, 2020, a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailed in Canada -- leaking of crude oil and catching fire. The crash, less than 2 miles from the town of Guernsey, Saskatchewan, resulted in a complete evacuation of their community. The Canadian...

Who are we?

We protect the water quality of the Clark Fork/Pend Oreille Watershed so that our local waterways remain drinkable, fishable and swimmable for future generations.

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How can you help?

We are a grass roots organization that depends on community support. Our volunteers & members are the heartbeat of our organization and your support is critical.

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