March 18, 2015

Portland Water Bureau employee Dan Weidinger patrols the Bull Run Watershed – he  is the hero who protects our water supply.  

Today on OPB’s Think Out Loud, Dan and his wife, Sacha Synder, took viewers into their watershed home in the beautiful Mt. Hood National Forest. 

The Bull Run Watershed is Portland’s main source of drinking water.  It includes the Bull Run Lake and two reservoirs, as well as the Bull Run River, tributaries, and other feeders.  The two reservoirs hold nearly 14 billion gallons of usable water, and serve nearly a million Oregonians. 

As Ranger, Dan is responsible for watching and patrolling over 147 square miles daily. Right now he’s the only full-time ranger on duty, but he won’t be solo for long. Commissioner Fish prioritized funding to hire a second ranger to help patrol the watershed.

Thank you for your great service to our city, and to our fellow Oregonians, Dan!

At Home In The Bull Run Watershed

Julie Sabatier and Alan Sylvestre in OPB

Remember Dan Weidinger? OPB News follows up with the Bull Run’s Lone Ranger

Andrew Theen in The Oregonian