How high is the Willamette River today?

ABOVE 20 FT… ACCESS ROADS TO THE ISLANDS ON THE WILLAMETTE RIVER IN THE SALEM VICINITY BEGIN TO FLOOD. ABOVE 18 FT……SalemOR Weather.

Stage:	10.02 ft
Flow:	25.6 kcfs*
* Thousand cubic feet per second

Where does the Willamette River start and stop?

The upper tributaries of the Willamette originate in the mountains south and southeast of Eugene, Oregon. Formed by the confluence of the Middle Fork Willamette River and the Coast Fork Willamette River near Springfield, the main stem Willamette meanders generally north for 187 miles (301 km) to the Columbia River.

How clean is the Willamette River?

A century of poison has made the Willamette one of the most polluted rivers in the United States – it contains at least 65 chemicals that risk human and environmental health, according to the EPA, including petroleum, poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides like DDT, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy …

How warm is the Willamette River?

River temperature varies. Be particularly careful May through June when air temperatures are in the 80s but water temperature may be in the 50s. From Late June through August, the water is typically perfect (68-72 degrees).

Why is the Willamette River low?

The low levels are driven by dry conditions from March-May. PORTLAND, Ore. — Muddy river beds, never-seen-before sandbars and all sorts of strange things that used to be underwater are now exposed. They are all clear signs both the Willamette and the Columbia rivers are running unusually low.

Is the Willamette River low?

expect minor flooding of localized areas along the lower willamette. Flooding is mainly confined to the islands on the willamette river from oregon city to the confluence with the columbia….Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	28
Low Stage (in feet):	1

Where is the beginning of the Willamette River?

Middle Fork Willamette River
Coast Fork Willamette River
Willamette River/Sources

How long does it take to float the Willamette?

A pair of gravel bars make good places for snacking and swimming on a trip that only takes about two and a half hours total (including setting up the shuttle).

Is it safe to swim in the Willamette River 2021?

Yes, it’s safe to swim in the Willamette most times of the year. DEQ and the city of Portland regularly monitor bacteria levels in the river.

Do people swim in Willamette River?

“Yes, the Willamette River in Portland is clean enough to boat, swim, kayak and otherwise enjoy,” said Diane Dulken, spokeswoman for the city’s Bureau of Environmental Services.

How cold is the Willamette River in winter?

The USGS graph shows that over the past twelve months the high temperatures of around 75 degrees occurred in July and August, and the low temperatures of around 36 degrees occurred in December and February. The USGS site tracks many other river water data points that can be very useful.

Is Willamette River flooding?

expect flooding of numerous structures along the Willamette river from Oregon city to the confluence with the Columbia. expect localized flooding in the Northwest Portland industrial area….Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	28
Moderate Flood Stage:	24
Flood Stage:	18
Action Stage:	17
Low Stage (in feet):	1

Who owns the Willamette River?

the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department
The Willamette River Greenway System, started in the early 1970s and conceived by Governor Bob Straub, now has over 10,000 acres along the Willamette River. Most of it is owned by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, with some additional lands owned by the Oregon Department of State Lands.

Why is the Willamette River so brown?

“The river often ran carrot-red in some areas and brown with sewage in others, and in general, it was full of fiber from industrial processes such as papermaking and the contributions of many food processors as they turned Willamette Valley fruits and vegetables into products,” Kennemer said.

Why is the Willamette so low?

“They’re particularly low this year because of the ongoing drought conditions that we had really driven by the dry conditions from March through May,” he said. Because of the drought, the period of low river levels started earlier and is lasting longer. Any rain that does fall gets absorbed by the thirsty earth.

What is special about the Willamette River?

One of the key source waters of the Willamette system is Waldo Lake, one of the purest lakes in the world, in contrast to the highly polluted Superfund site located at the “end” of mainstem river, where it flows into the Columbia.

What is unique about the Willamette River?

With significant annual precipitation and moderate evaporation, the Willamette is somewhat of an anomaly among American rivers. The Willamette Basin discharges more runoff per acre than any other large river in the United States, with most of it occurring during the winter rainy season.

Is it safe to float the Willamette River?

You can float the lazy Willamette in just about anything, but always wear a life jacket and stay away from downed trees and rocks. Here are a few of my favorite stretches of the Willamette in the Salem area. Each section requires two cars for a shuttle.

Are there rapids on the Willamette River?

North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette River The river is mostly Class II with a few steep Class III/III+ rapids. This is a great section of whitewater for those looking for a relaxing paddle punctuated with a few steep rapids.

Why is the Willamette River so dirty?

A City’s Waste As Portland grew, so did the city’s impact on the Willamette. Human waste and polluted stormwater flowed directly into the river alongside hazardous chemical byproducts, which were produced in huge quantities by riverside factories, and toxic pesticides that were sprayed onto crops.

Where is the Willamette River Bridge in Portland Oregon?

This spot on the Willamette River always has been an important crossing. Strategically located as a gateway to downtown Portland, two other Morrison bridges—built in 1887 and 1905—preceded the current six-lane structure. The 1887 bridge was Portland’s first Willamette River bridge.

What is the history of the Morrison Bridge in Portland?

The 1887 bridge was Portland’s first Willamette River bridge. Completed in May of 1958, the current Morrison Bridge was originally designed to link Morrison Street, Belmont Street and Water Avenue on the east side to Washington, Alder and Front Streets on the west.

How often is Willamette River data collected and processed?

Data are downloaded and processed every 3 hours. The Willamette River at Portland site is located at the Morrison Bridge in downtown Portland, OR. Data are collected every half hour. Periods with no data are plotted as grey areas. These data are provisional and are subject to revision.