The Willamette River has seen some rough times, but it's on the path to a great recovery. Upgrades to Portland’s sewer and stormwater system have reduced sewage overflows by 94%. In 2012, the Willamette won the Thiess International Riverprize, a prestigious award for excellence in river management. And in 2015 the Oregon chub, found only in the Willamette Valley, became the first freshwater fish to be removed from the Endangered Species List.