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WillametteRiverRecreationGuide
DETAILED MAPS OF THE RIVER AND ITS RECREATIONAL RESOURCES HISTORICAL AND WILDLIFE INFORMATION • STATE PARKS GUIDESUGGESTED EXCURSIONS • BOATING SAFETY TIPS
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NEWBERG
WEST LINN
LAKEOSWEGO
EUGENE
COTTAGEGROVE
CORVALLIS
ALBANY
SALEM
GLADSTONE
OREGON CITY
MILWAUKIE
PORTLAND
SCAPPOOSE
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WILLAMETTE RIVER MAPPAGE GUIDE
Oregon is known to people worldwide for its beauty, natural resources andrecreational opportunities. TheWillamette River, flowing from one of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges and through one of its richest valleys, is a resource befitting this image. One can find everything
along its shores from a graceful great blue heron to a swooping bald eagle. Its waters are home to salmon, sturgeon, native cutthroat trout and many other species. It supports varied recreational opportunities—from boating and water-skiing to fishing and nature viewing.
Beyond its natural beauty, the Willamette is steeped in the history of Oregon territory. Pioneers by the thousands in the mid-1800s ended their long journeys on the Oregon Trail at Oregon City. For them, the Willamette meant new hope and opportunity.
Today, this living museum of our natural and cultural history is a year-round recreational resource for all Oregonians as well as for our visitors. This Willamette River Recreation Guide is your passport to use and enjoy this great river. We hope you accept the invitation.
John A. KitzhaberSeptember 1, 1998
Governor’sMessage
ContentsIntroduction 1
History of the Willamette 2-3
Plant and Animal Life 4-5
Willamette-area wildlife refuges
Boating on the Willamette 6-7
River characteristics and hazards
Navigation aids
Excursions and Outings 8-11
River mileage and float times
Suggested fishing areas
Guide to Oregon State Parks
Festivals and events
River Guide and Maps 12-30
Middle and Coast Forks 12-15
Springfield to Albany 16-19
Albany to St. Paul/Newberg 20-23
Newberg to Portland 24-27
Multnomah Channel 28-30
Keeping Our River Clean 31
Resources 32
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Public uses andrecreationalopportunitiesA great many pastimescan be enjoyed on theWillamette. These include boating, camping, picnicking,swimming, hiking,bicycling, wildlifeviewing, fishing andhunting. There are tenstate parks, threepublic ferries, andmore than 170 OregonState Willamette RiverGreenway parcels, cityand county parks, boatramps, and Division ofState Lands parcelsalong the river and itsmajor tributaries. Theriver provides habitatfor hundreds of typesof plants, and manyspecies of birds, fishand animals.
A vast river systemThe Willamette Riverdrains 12,000 squaremiles of land at anaverage rate of flowthat would fill 175buildings the size ofPortland’s tallestskyscraper every day.
The Willamette is a vital, multi-purpose waterway that touchesthe lives of millions of people. Itprovides ports for commercialbarges and oceangoing ships, irrigation for crops sold world-wide, an abundant fishery, andrecreational opportunities.
Nearly 70 percent of Oregonians live within 20 milesof the Willamette River. As impor-tant as it is to us, the Willametteis relatively unknown to many ofthose who live near it. Althoughthe river passes through nine
counties and 19 cities, miles of its channels, sloughsand backwaters cannot be seen from roads ortowns. Many communities, no longer economicallydependent on it, have turned their backs on the riv-er. The Willamette is often overlooked—so familiara part of our landscape that it sometimes fades intothe background.
HOW TO USE THE GUIDEThis guide is designed to make it easy to visit and
experience the river whether by boat, bicycle, motorvehicle or on foot. The guide divides the river intofive sections, beginning on page 12. For each sec-tion, important features are described and map-ped. These include state and local parks, stategreenway and Division of State Landsparcels, boat ramps, marinas, wildlifeareas and other points of interest.The maps show public roadsthat lead to greenwayparcels, parks or otherpublic access points.Each section alsohighlights possi-ble outings.
Maps in thisguide showmajor features, channels,sloughs, islands
and navigational hazards. Although considerablytamed from the way explorers found it 200 yearsago, the Willamette changes with each season and,in the lower sections, with the daily tides. Never
disregard its power or dismiss its hazards.In some areas, largecommercial barges andoceangoing vessels present a hazard; inothers, the sheer number and variety of activities engaged in by boaters and otherriver users is a danger.
The guide also con-tains informationabout river history,plants, fish and wild-
life, environmental issues, boating safety, recrea-tional activities and what to do in emergencies. The list of resources on page 32 provides moreinformation. When planning an outing, check the
appropriate river section in the guide. Outingsand excursions are suggested in each
section and on pages 8-11.The Coast and Middle forksare public to the “ordinary
high” waterline on theriverbank. On the
main stem, unless property is specif-ically shown on the maps or signedas public, it should be assumed thatit is private above the “ordinary low”waterline. The maps also indicatewhich islands are in public ownershipand available for camping or day use.Care should be taken to respect private
property, especially when entering stategreenway and other public parcels from
the river. Respect all “no trespassing” and“no hunting” signs. There is plenty of land and
water to enjoy. For more information on riverbedand riverbank ownership, see Who Owns theWaterways, Oregon Division of State Lands.
The Willamette River begins its nearly 300-mile journey in the high Cascades southeast ofEugene. Winding through forest, farmland and city, it travels northward the length of theWillamette Valley before joining the Columbia River at Portland. Along the way, it changes from a rushing mountain stream into a substantial river more than a quarter-mile across.
Introduction
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This guide is an invitation for peopleto return to the river—to use it andenjoy it. Hikingalong its banks orcruising its watersallows one anopportunity to stepback into Oregon’shistory to witnessthe natural beautyand bountiful envi-ronment that was—and is—Oregon.
ABOVE: Canoeing on the McKenzie River, a Willamette tributary
ABOVE LEFT: Skiing on theWillamette
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For Oregonians,the “BeautifulWillamette” ismore than just alovely river. It isa key part of ourcolorful history,a working riverof vital econom-ic importance,and a place tofish, boat,
recreate and relax—to enjoy the many virtuesOregon has to offer.
The Willamette is one of the few major rivers inthe U.S. that flows primarily north. So narrow andshallow in places that pioneers felled trees forbridges, it widens to more than 2,000 feet across in Portland. Originally, the river meandered in awide swath across the valley floor, changing chan-nels frequently to form new islands and oxbows.Today, the Willamette is rather tame by comparison.Wing dams, revetments, dredging and flood controlprojects have altered the flow patterns to create asimpler, deeper channel.
NATIVE AMERICANSThere is evidence of human presence in the
Willamette Valley as long as 10,000years ago, several thousand years afterthe close of the Ice Age, when Asiatics from what is now Siberia crossed over an Alaskan land bridge into North America.
Most of the WillametteValley Native Americaninhabitants wereKalapuyans—acollection ofbands thatshared thesame dialect.One smallband, theCalapooia,
lived near and along the Calapooia River. OtherKalapuyans included the Tualatin, Santiam, Yamhill and Luckiamute bands. Chinookean peopleoccupied the lower Willamette below the falls. TheClackamas were members of the Chinook familygroup. The native bands in the valley subsistedmostly on nuts, berries and roots, although theyalso were good hunters—using the snare and trapas effectively as the bow and arrow.
A smallpox epidemic in 1782-83, followed by a malaria epidemic from 1830-33, wiped out 80percent of the native people. By 1856, survivingmembers of the various bands were resettled under treaty onto the Grand Ronde reservationnear Valley Junction.
EARLY SETTLEMENTThe Willamette River was first noted by English
navigator Lt. William R. Broughton, a member ofCapt. George Vancouver’s expedition, in 1792.Explorers Lewis and Clark, on behalf of the UnitedStates, ventured up it for about seven miles in 1806.The first Euro-Americans were the fur trappers,mostly working for the Hudson’s Bay Company atFt. Vancouver, followed by the missionaries, whotried mightily to convert Native Americans toChristianity. Following them were the settlers,mostly farmers, who crossed the Oregon Trail.Between 1840 and 1860, 53,000 of them reached
the valleys of Oregon.Oregon City figured
prominently in early history: not only was itan early Euro-Americansettlement in Oregon, in1844 it also became thefirst city incorporatedwest of the Rockies. Itwas established by Dr.John McLoughlin, chief factor for theHudson’s Bay Com-pany at Ft. Vancouver,who is considered the“Father of Oregon.”
Perhaps for as long as 10,000 years, the Willamette River basin has been the wellspring of life for the people who have lived along its shores and ridden its waters. It has been a major source of food, water, transportation and commerce in the bountiful heartland of western Oregon—the Willamette Valley.
History of the Willamette
Brush burningA common NativeAmerican practice wasto burn the WillametteValley each fall at oneof its preserves in theWillamette Valley. Thiscreated and maintain-ed the oak and grass-land savanna thatfavored elk and deer aswell as camas, tarweedand acorn habitat—important foods for the native population.The cleared landhelped in the gather-ing of seeds, roots andbulbs, as well as creat-ing exposed areas for easier hunting. Thebrush burning also created major areas of open prairie thatattracted Euro-American settlersbecause the land was already cleared.
Early tradersThe first large vessel toenter the Willamettewas the “Owyhee,” aBoston trading shipthat sailed to within amile of Willamette Fallsin 1829—the same yearHudson’s Bay Companyestablished an outpostat Oregon City.
BEAUTIFUL WILLAMETTEFrom the Cascades’ frozen gorges,Leaping like a child at play,Winding, widening through the valley,Bright Willamette glides away;
Onward ever,Lovely river,
Softly calling to the sea.Time, that scars us,Maims and mars us, Leaves no track or trench on thee.
— SAMUEL L. SIMPSON, 1868
ABOVE: Modern-day brushburning for biological purposes
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First Oregon-builtsteamerOn Christmas Day,1850, the 160-footsteamboat “LotWhitcomb,” above,was launched at theMilwaukie basin. Thefirst steamboat built inOregon, its sidewheelsmeasured 18 feet indiameter. By 1878,some 52 sidewheeland sternwheel steam-ers had been builtalong the Willamette,most of them atCanemah just aboveWillamette Falls. In1854, at Canemah, theboilers on the steamer“Gazelle” exploded,killing 24 people.
Below the falls, Linnton, St. Johns, Portland,Milwaukie, Linn City (now West Linn) and OregonCity all competed fiercely for dominance. Portlandwas the eventual winner. The river itself helpedsettle the issue. The major 1861 flood, forinstance, wiped out many promising settlements—such as Linn City andChampoeg—as well as their prospects.
By the 1830s, settlement had gaineda solid foothold above the falls. Manyretired French-Canadians, who had
worked for Hudson’sBay Company, settledaround Champoegand St. Paul in whatbecame known as FrenchPrairie. Their wheat and pro-duce needed markets, and withthe 1849 California gold rushcame the need for a reliablesystem of river commerce.
STEAMBOAT ERAFrom the 1850s to the early
1900s, the steamboat was king of the Willamette. Oregon City was initially the farthest upstream point of navigation. Over time,paddlewheelers began to operate above WillametteFalls. Occasionally, boats made it as far upriver asEugene. Smaller steamboats even ventured up theTualatin, Yamhill and Long Tom—small tributariesof the Willamette.
In 1873, the Willamette Falls Canal & LocksCompany opened a 1,200-foot-long series of locksthat lifted boats around the 41-foot-high falls atOregon City. The locks hastened the growth anddevelopment of Oregon’s fertile interior. At theirpeak in the 1880s, dozens of steamboats—theirwhistles sure to draw a crowd to the dock—movedtons of cargo and passenger traffic along the state’svital artery of commerce.
RAILS AND ROADS: THE TRANSFORMATION
By the 1880s, railroads had penetrated into theWillamette Valley. River communities such asLincoln and Fairfield, once thriving trade centers,were bypassed. In 1883, the transcontinental railroadarrived in Portland, solidifying the iron link thatwould siphon away much of the steamboat trade.
The arrival of roads and gasoline-powered vehicles completed the transition away from river-boat trade. By the early 1900s, it was possible tomaneuver a vehicle the full length of the valley, and in 1919 the state published its first official
road map. Truck and rail transportation soon dominated shipping in the valley. The steamboatwhistle was silenced.
OUR FORGOTTEN RIVERPerhaps the most discouraging period in
the river’s history was that of the early1900s, when the Willamette becameheavily polluted and neglected. Withthe decline of river commerce,wharves and docks were torn down. In some cities, roads or freewaysreplaced them; in others, new
industries located along the river.Soon, these industries began dump-
ing their wastes directly into the river.Cities and towns did the same. By the 1930s,
the river was almost biologically dead—and certain-ly unsafe to swim. This condition persisted untilafter World War II, when federally funded sewagetreatment facilities and other pollution controlsbegan to restore the river.
By the early 1970s, the cleanup of the Willamettewas a national success story. The river was declaredsafe for swimming in 1972. These efforts not onlymade it possible for salmon and steelhead runs torebound, they again made the river attractive forboating, angling and other recreation.
Helping with this turn-about was Oregon’sWillamette River Greenway Program. It was createdby the Oregon Legislature in 1967 as a testament tothe river’s historic and natural resource significance,and its recreational potential. The greenway pro-gram is a cooperative state and local governmenteffort to maintain and enhance the scenic, recrea-tional, historic, natural and agricultural qualities ofthe river and its adjacent lands.
THE MODERN DAY WILLAMETTEToday’s river bustles with activity. Commercial
tugs and barges navigate the locks to move woodchips, logs, sand and gravel, and other products tomarket. Huge freighters and oceangoing bargesmove tons of cargo through the Port of Portlandand private docks in the Portland harbor.
Recreation is now the fastest-growing use of the river. Pleasure boating, skiing and angling areincreasing. Portland, Lake Oswego, Salem, Albany,Corvallis, Harrisburg, Eugene and Springfield areamong the cities and towns that have greatlyincreased parklands and public access along theWillamette. The public is reclaiming its river.
In 1998, the Willamette was named an American HeritageRiver, a federal designation to assist in restoring andprotecting the river.
1861 FLOODThe devastating 1861flood wiped outscores of communi-ties and landings,“sucking and sweep-ing everything into itspath,” according toone account. HistoricChampoeg wasamong the casualties,inundated by morethan 20 feet of water.
ABOVE LEFT: “Father ofOregon” John McLoughlin
ABOVE: Sidewheeler “LotWhitcomb”
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This variety makes the Willamette a favorite loca-tion for nature viewing, fishing and hunting. Havingpublic land and wildlife refuges near the river
enhances these recreational oppor-tunities. Care should be taken tominimize human impact on thishabitat. Many migratory birds, forinstance, are protected by state andfederal law. Some plant and animalspecies are listed as threatened orendangered. In particular, nestingareas should not be disturbed.
Any destruction of protected habitat, violation offishing or hunting regulations, or any other threatto protected species should be reported to theOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW).
BIRDSOne of the most visible birds along the
Willamette is the great blue heron. Its rarercousin, the green-backed heron, can occa-sionally be seen as well. Nestingareas, called rookeries, are foundin various locations, includingRoss Island, Oaks Bottom,Goat Island, MolallaState Park, LuckiamuteLanding and AltonBaker Park in Eugene.
Six state and nationalwildlife refuges are loca-ted along or near the riv-er (see map and refugeguide on page 5), repre-senting 24,000 acres ofimportant winter habitatfor geese, ducks and swans.In addition, large raptors suchas the osprey, red-tailed hawk,great horned owl and baldeagle live along the waterway.
Songbirds such as the gold-finch, tree swallow, dark-eyed jun-co and common yellowthroat flitaround in trees and meadows.
One of the remarkable qualities of the Willamette River is the amount of wildlife it supports even though it travels through Oregon’s most populous region. It is possible—even likely—to come across bald eagles, osprey, great blue heron, Canada geese, deer, otter, beaver, rare turtles, salamanders and numerous other animals along the river.
Plant and Animal Life
Watchable wildlifeOregon’s WatchableWildlife, a pamphlet ofthe Oregon Depart-ment of Fish & Wildlife,provides good infor-mation about where togo to enjoy animal life.
Canada geeseThe Willamette runsdown the center of the Pacific migratoryflyway. Canada geesebegin showing upalong the Willamette inmid-October, includingthe rare dusky Canadagoose for whoseprotection the nationalwildlife refuges in theWillamette Valley wereoriginally created.
White sturgeonThe largest fish in theWillamette is the whitesturgeon, growing tomore than 8 feet inlength. These giantsare fished mostly in thelower river. Popularspots are below thefalls in Oregon City,and near SellwoodRiverfront Park, theSteel Bridge and theRivergate industrialdistrict in Portland.Upriver, the mouth of the Long Tom is one of the better-known holes.
Kingfishers, killdeer, mallard ducks and commonmergansers are often seen along the river. Occasion-ally, the beautiful song of Oregon’s state bird—thewestern meadowlark—is heard.The pileated woodpecker and red-shafted flicker also abound.
FISHThe spring chinook run is
the Willamette’s dominant run of anadromous fish (species thatspawn in fresh water after grow-ing to adult size in the ocean).This run now contributes sub-stantially to the Columbia River commercial andsport fisheries, as well as supporting a choice fish-ery in the Willamette and its tributaries.
The salmon enter the river as early as February,and typically pass over Willamette Falls in May and
June. A smaller fall chinook run occurs in mid-August to late September.
Steelhead enter the river in boththe summer and winter. Summer-
run steelhead pass the falls fromearly March until October, fol-lowed by the winter steelheadfrom early November to mid-May. Cutthroat and rainbow
trout are most plentiful inthe waters abovePeoria. Willamette cut-throat migrate intotributaries in the fallto spawn. Whitefish,
another member of thetrout family, also are
abundant in the upperWillamette.
Panfish are found wher-ever the water slows and
warms—such as sloughs andquiet channels—or around
man-made structures. Crappie,bluegill and largemouth bass are
the most abundant, but smallmouth
One of the largestblack cottonwoodsin the United States survives inWillamette MissionState Park—a 250-year-old giant mea-suring more than 26 feet around and155 feet in height.
ABOVE: Baby raccoon
ABOVE RIGHT: Camas lily
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WILDLIFE VIEWING AREASThere are many areasto enjoy the WillametteRiver’s abundant wild-life. They include:
Burlington BottomA 428-acre area northof the Sauvie Islandbridge along the westside of MultnomahChannel, set aside tobenefit winteringwaterfowl and associ-ated wetland wildlife.
Oaks Bottom160-acre preserve hasa great diversity ofwater features andplant communities.Heavily used by heron,waterfowl and smallerbirds. Trailhead is at SE7th Ave. and SellwoodBlvd. in Portland.
Luckiamute LandingA good boat campingspot and Willamettegreenway parcel oppo-site the mouth of theSantiam River. Excellentarea for viewing rem-nants of the galleryforests that used to line the Willamette.Ospreys, turkey vulturesand herons frequentthe area.
Middle ForkOsprey, red-tailedhawks and bald eaglesgrace the skies. AtDexter Dam, watchadult chinook salmon infish ladder and holdingponds from May-October.
seen. Oregon’s state animal, the beaver, can befound in some locations.
The river corridor also features a variety of rep-tiles and amphibians, including gopher snake, gartersnake, ringneck snake, long-toed salamander, rough-skinned newt, tree frog and the introduced bullfrog.The rare western pond turtle and painted turtle onlyremain in a few sloughs and oxbow lakes.
VEGETATIONThe Willamette Valley and river system contain
a rich array of plant life. Early explorers found theriver lined for up to two miles on each side withdense forests.
Trees such as black cottonwood, Oregon whiteoak, Oregon ash, western red-cedar, big-leaf maple, Douglasfir, grand fir, ponderosa pineand willow made up theseimpressive forests. Nearly all of it has been replaced by agri-culture, gravel mining andurbanization. Forest remnantsare located at LuckiamuteLanding, Willamette MissionState Park (on Grand Island)and Scappoose Bay Landing.
The river’s riparian areasand low wet areas along theriver’s shorelines are abundantwith lush growth. The sloughs,islands, marshes and swampareas are composed of trees,shrubs, grasses, wildflowersand other herbaceous plants.These areas are of extremeimportance to the health of the river and support wildlife.The vegetation filters and purifies water as it moves intoand along the river. Thecomplex plant communitiesprovide valuable habitat foranimals and insects that livealong the river. Large nativeplant communities can befound on Sauvie Island, OaksBottom, Cardiani Bar nearYamhill Landing, Wells Islandand the Mt. Pisgah Arboretumnear Springfield.
bass, catfish and perch also can be found. Occa-sionally walleye, found only below Willamette Falls,are caught.
A wide variety of non-game fish are readilyavailable to the angler throughout the river. Someof the more common species include carp, suckerand squawfish.
Several good fishing areas are highlighted onpage 10.
ANIMALSCommon mammals are black-tailed deer,
raccoon, otter and nutria (a South Americanimport that is similar to a beaver, but smaller).Occasionally, a red fox, coyote or mink can be
Take Highway 30 toSauvie Island bridge,proceed toward north endof Sauvie Island. Refuge is off Reeder Road.
Located along the TualatinRiver east of Sherwood,about 12 miles upriverfrom its confluence withthe Willamette.
From Rickreall (6 mileswest of Salem), go west onHighway 22. Refuge isabout 2 miles on the right.
Newest national wildlife refuge in Oregon.Now less than 100 acres, it is expected to be expanded eventually to severalthousand acres.
Features migratory waterfowl. By mid-November, large number of Canadageese, tundra swans, ducks and whiteswans are present. Hunting permitted.Public access limited Nov. 1 to April 15.
Drive south from Corvallison Highway 99W about 10 miles to entrance signon west side of road. Turn west and follow signs about 4 miles torefuge office.
5,235-acre refuge supports large con-centrations of Canada geese, includingrare dusky Canada geese. Over 200species of wildlife and numerous obser-vation sites. Hunting and fishing allowed.Public access limited Nov. 1 to April 15.
Exit I-5 10 miles south ofSalem at the Ankeny Hillexit. Follow Wintel Roadwest (toward Sidney)about 2 miles to refugeboundary.
2,800 acres of floodplains that supportlarge populations of wintering Canadageese and ducks. Two loop trails. Huntingallowed. Public access limited Nov. 1 toApril 15.
Between Highway 99Wand the river, 10 milesnorth of Corvallis at former Camp Adair Army post.
State preserve features upland gamebirds, waterfowl, bald eagles, deer andother species. Hunting permitted in falland winter. Walk or bike on many miles ofold military roads.
WILDLIFE REFUGES ALONG THE WILLAMETTE
12,000 acres of state-owned habitat forwintering waterfowl, swans, herons, sand-hill cranes, bald eagles and 250 otherspecies. Access restricted during the hunt-ing season and spring. Fishing allowed.
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area
William J. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Sauvie Island Wildlife Management Area
FINLEY
ANKENYEE
WILSON
BASKETTSLOUGH
TUALATIN
PORTLAND
NEWBERG
ALBANY
SALEM
CORVALLIS
SAUVIE ISLAND
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ABOVE: Riparian vegetation
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Boating activity on the Willamette includes skiboats and runabouts, yachts, sailcraft, rowing shellsand sculls, canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, jet boatsand personal watercraft (such as Jet Skis).
Shallow waters, changing stream conditions andrapids pose dangers along the Middle and Coastforks and in the Eugene-Springfield area. Much ofthe river below Dexter and Cottage Grove dams canbe navigated by most craft, except motorboats withpropellers. Due to many shallow stretches, local
knowledge is criticalif your motor has apropeller. In theupper Willamette,strainers—trees andbranches that havetoppled into the river—can capsize
a boat and even hold its occupants under water.While swimming accidents result in the most
drownings per year, boating provides its share ofaccidents and injuries. Most can be avoided if boatoperators observe boating safety rules and use com-mon sense and courtesy at all times.
Oregon Boating Regulations, published by theOregon State Marine Board and updated yearly,contains a digest of all regulations and restrictions.Other guides, including the Oregon Boater’s Handbook, offer comprehensive tips on safety, navigation rules and equipment. All of thesepublications are available from the Oregon StateMarine Board as well as from many boat dealersand fishing supply outlets.
TAKE A COURSECall 1-800-336-BOAT for informa-
tion on Coast Guard Auxiliary orU.S. Power Squadron boatingclasses. Or, for $1 (to coverpostage and handling of mate-rials), take the Marine Board’scorrespondence course,Boating Basics. Passing thiscourse can save you money onboat insurance.
BOAT SAFETY TIPSHere are a few tips to make your outing safe
and pleasurable:• Check your boat and equipment prior to use,
especially fuel systems, lights and horns, motors,and trailers. Be alert for leaks.
• Check weather conditions and, if your trip willbe for more than a day or in whitewater areas,file a float plan with a friend or neighbor.
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption—most fatalboating accidents involve alcohol.
• Brief passengers on operational and emergencyprocedures, and don’t overload your boat. It greatly increases the threat of capsizing.
• Make sure you have adequate and accessible life jackets on board. Check to make sure they fit. Children and non-swimmers should wear life jackets at all times.
• Tow skiers, inner tubes and other recreationaldevices only between sunrise and sunset. In addi-tion to the operator, there must be an observer inthe boat. You also must wave a red or orange“skier down” flag (at least 12 by 12 inches) whena skier is in the water.
• Know how to read channel buoys and markers(see page 7). Many stretches of the Willamettebelow Canby have in-water hazards, includingrocks and snags under the surface.
• Beware of large commercial vessels. Avoidanchoring in the commercial shipping channel.
• Be aware of good boating etiquette. Observe allSlow–no wake zones.
• Be on the alert for others, especiallyswimmers and skiers. Personal watercraft
users should avoid jumping wakes oroperating near other boats and big
ships. Don’t follow boats or skierstoo closely or shift directionsuddenly.• Don’t boat alone, especiallyon whitewater stretches.• Avoid boating after dark—and be sure to use the properlights if you do.
The Willamette is one of Oregon’s most popular—and congested—waterways for boating. Use of the river by recreational boaters increased 175 percent since 1978. In 1993, approximately730,000 boat use days were logged—more than half of that in the lower 18 miles of the river within Multnomah County.
Boating on the Willamette
BOATERS’CHECKLISTPowerboaters and sail-boaters should haveon board at all times:
• Wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets for each personon board
• Approved, fully chargedfire extinguishers
• Bell or whistle (as required)
• Paddles or oars
• Anchor
• Tool kit, spare partsand flashlight
• Extra food, water andsurvival equipment for trips longer thanone day
• First aid kit
• Compass, fenders, line,bucket, bilge pump,two-way radio ormobile telephone
Those using canoes,kayaks and rafts shouldhave rescue throwbags, helmets, flash-lights, first aid kits andextra clothing. Be sureto bring waterproofcontainers.
New life jacket lawAll recreational boatsunder 16 feet—includ-ing all canoes andkayaks—must carry awearable life jacket foreach person on board.Children 12 andyounger must wear lifejackets when on boatsthat are underway.
ABOVE: Preparing to boat
ABOVE RIGHT: Inflatablekayak near Armitage Park
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NAVIGATION HAZARDSThere are a variety of natural navigation hazards
on the Willamette River and its tributaries. Theseinclude whitewater stretches, shallows and rockyshoals, narrow side channels, dead-heads andstrainers (trees, stumps and branches in the water),powerful currents and river eddies, low-head dams,and a major waterfall. Other river traffic—includingboats, personal watercraft, swimmers, skiers and
anglers—also represent hazards. In addition, weather—including wind, precipitation, fog, sunglare and lightning—must be taken into account.Boaters should be prepared for cold water as theWillamette River is below 60° Fahrenheit most of the year. The river’s currents, channels and levelsare highly changeable. Without proper precautions,any stretch of the river can be dangerous.
The chart below describes the general characterand types of hazards you mayencounter on each river section.
RULES OF THE ROADRivers, like highways, have rules that govern right-of-way. On water,these are called rules of the road.The boat that has the right-of-wayon the river is called the stand-onboat. The boat that must yield iscalled the give-way boat. The rules of the road have the force of law.Boaters can be penalized for failureto observe them.
CrossingWhen two boats are on intersect-
ing courses, the boat to the right (the starboard side) is the stand-onboat and has the right-of-way. Thegive-way boat must alter its courseor speed to avoid a collision with the stand-on boat. The stand-on boat should maintain its right-of-way course in the crossing situation.
OvertakingA boat being overtaken or passed
by another boat has the right-of-way.The boat being passed must hold itscourse and speed as it is beingpassed. The overtaking boat mustpass at a sufficient distance to avoida collision or endangering the otherboat with its wake.
Meeting head-on or nearly soWhen two boats approach each
other head-on, each must altercourse to the right to avoid collision.If the two boats are far to the left orright of each other, no change incourse is necessary.
NAVIGATION AIDSIt is important to knowhow to read waterwaymarkers:
Boats Keep OutSpecial explana-tions may be
printed on side ofmarker
DangerThe nature of the
danger may beindicated
Controlled AreaType of control is
indicated
InformationFor displaying
official informationsuch as directions,distances, location
Left of ChannelGreen buoy
marks left side ofchannel whenproceeding upstream
Right of ChannelRed buoy marks
right side of channelwhen proceedingupstream
(Dexter, CottageGrove dams toRiver Mile 185)
Swift water with many small rapids, rocks, shallow areas and potentiallydangerous side channels. Watch for fallen trees, limbs and debris. Stretch above Jasper advised for experienced boaters only; scout riverbefore you launch. Beware of dangerous I-5 rapids at Springfield. CoastFork may be unnavigable during summer low-water periods.
BOATING OPTIONS: Drift or float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks, rafts. Jet-boats OK in most areas.
(River Mile 185 to River Mile 118)
Fast water and four significant rapids through Eugene section; advisableonly for experienced boaters. Below Eugene, current remains fast, riverchannel changes regularly and there are frequent shallows. Beware oftrees, other in-water hazards and unnavigable side channels. Currentslows downstream from Corvallis.
BOATING OPTIONS: Drift or float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks or rafts. Jet-boats OK in all areas except Eugene area and shallow channels, sloughs. Small propeller-driven boats OK in Albany area. Watch for crewing near Corvallis. Skiing OK in certain areas downriver fromCorvallis, but local knowledge is important to avoid shallow stretches.
(River Mile 118 toRiver Mile 50)
Relatively slow current, but occasional shallow side channels and sloughs.Watch for log debris, rock benches, wing dams and shallow stretches.
BOATING OPTIONS: Drift or float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks or rafts. Jet-boats and personal watercraft are OK in all areas except shallow channels and sloughs. Propeller-driven craft and waterskiing are acceptable near Newberg, Salem and Albany, but local knowledge isimportant to avoid shallow stretches.
(River Mile 50 toRiver Mile 0)
Slow current but many rocky shoals upriver from Portland. Maps showlocations of major problem areas, but not all. Beware of Willamette Fallsabove Oregon City. Watch for logs, trees and other in-water debris.Heavy commercial river traffic and recreational use create congestion.Watch for commercial tugs and barges below Newberg. Large shipsfrequent Portland harbor. Don't anchor in shipping channel. Observebuoys, channel markers and Slow–no wake zones near floating homesand moorages. Watch for personal watercraft, swimmers and waterskiers.
BOATING OPTIONS: Best for propeller-driven craft and jet-boats. Canoes, sculls, kayaks and other small craft OK in localized areas away from congestion.
(River Mile 21.5Mto River Mile 0M)
Very slow moving. Occasional logs, trees and other in-water debris.Channel is narrow; watch for other boaters, waterskiers. Slow down and watch your wake near floating homes and moorages.
BOATING OPTIONS: Acceptable to virtually all craft. Frequently congestedarea. Canoes and kayaks more suitable for Gilbert River and SturgeonLake areas on Sauvie Island.
RIVER CHARACTERISTICS AND HAZARDSMiddle and Coast Forks
Springfield to Albany
Albany to St. Paul/Newberg
Newberg to Portland
Multnomah Channel
ABOVE: Lane CountySheriff’s Marine Patrol
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two or three prime stopping points, includinglunch. Consider planning trips around themes—such as history, ferries or a community festival.
Ten Oregon state parks are shown in this guide(see page 11). Of these, only Champoeg has over-night vehicular camping. However, boater campingis allowed at some local parks, Bowers Rock StatePark and state greenway parcels as indicated on themaps. Fires should be confined to fire rings ongreenway or state park sites.
A number of game refuges and wildlife sanctuar-ies beckon birdwatchers and hikers, including stateand national wildlife areas (see page 5), and specialpreserves such as Oaks Bottom in Portland. Othergood areas to observe wildlife are accessible toboaters, such as Harkens Lake Landing, the mouthsof the Luckiamute, Santiam and McKenzie rivers,and the entire Middle Fork. Many state and localparks offer excellent wildlife viewing.
Historic sites abound. Many are abandonedtowns or landings that require considerable re-
search and patience to locate, such asFairview, Linn City and Canemah.Some sites, however, are quite acces-sible, including theBybee-HowellHouse on SauvieIsland, Portland’shistoric Yamhilland Old Towndistricts, OregonCity and theWillametteFalls Locks,Butteville,Champoeg, Buena Vista Ferry,
and the lost town of Orleans eastof Corvallis.For those planning a car or
bicycle trip, many other interestingdestinations await the curious in cities
and towns near the river. Check yourlibrary or local chamber of commerce formore information. The list of resources on
page 32 of this guide may help.
PLANNING AN OUTINGMost destinations along the Willamette are only
an hour or two apart by car. Therefore, many out-ings can be day trips—although floating the river’sentire length or taking a leisurely bicycle trip caneasily consume a week. In any event, allow ade-
quate time for travelboth on and off theriver. Seven or eighthours of travel andrecreating can bequite enough for one day.
The maps in thisguide show all publicland along the river,plus major historical,cultural and naturalpoints of interest.Connecting roads aremarked. Services pro-vided at parks, way-sides, access points
and marinas are indicated on the maps. For stateand local parks with camping, it is wise to reserve asite ahead of time in the summer.
The maps, while generally accurate, do not rep-resent all hazards nor are they to be used in place ofofficial navigation charts. Each map contains abrief summary of significant known hazards andtheir general location as signified by ( ). Be awareof other potential hazards and the possibility that alisted hazard may have changed or not be accurate-ly characterized by this guide.
DESTINATIONSA trip or outing can be organized around state
and local parks,wildlife refuges,cities and towns,and historic sites.It’s a good idea toplan a day outingaround nomore than
NH
The Willamette River offers many options for recreational outings. These include boating, waterskiing, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, hiking, bicycling, or just a pleasant Sunday drive. Many can be done in a day. Consult the maps in this guide for more information.
Excursions and Outings
Willamette RiverGreenway ProgramThe Willamette RiverGreenway program isadministered by theOregon Parks andRecreation Department(OPRD), which hasacquired many parcelsalong the river. OPRDprovides recreationalopportunities on StatePark and greenwaylands while encourag-ing appropriate landuse and natural re-source stewardship onadjoining privatelyowned lands. Signsalong the river denotespecific WillametteRiver greenway parcelsthat are available forpublic use.
Visitor informationVisitor InformationCenters have calendarsof major communityevents along the river.The Willamette RiverCalendar, published by the Willamette River Institute (503/222-2546), also in-cludes informationabout historical andcultural events assoc-iated with the river.
EMERGENCYINFORMATION
The Oregon StateMarine Board con-tracts with countysheriffs’ depart-ments to patrol theentire river. In caseof an emergency,dial 9-1-1.
ABOVE: Harrisburg CityPark and gazebo
ABOVE RIGHT: Bicycling atChampoeg Park
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RIVER OUTINGSThe most popular way to use the river is to be
out on it. Boat launches are shown on the mapsthat follow. In addition to skiing and fishing, enjoy-
able excursionscan include cruis-es to variousparks or otherpoints of interest.Fatigue, sun,wind and alcoholcan all play a fac-tor in water recre-ation—a tired orintoxicated boateris more likely tohave an accident.Plan your tripsaccordingly andlimit—or, betteryet, avoid—alco-hol consumption.
As shown onthe maps, numer-ous state green-way parcels areaccessible eitherfrom the river or roads. Green-
way parcels accessible by vehicle are signed at public roads. Greenway parcels accessible only by boat have river milepost signs located for theboater’s convenience.
Please respect private property and obey all “notrespassing” and “no hunting” signs. Some parts ofthe main stem of the Willamette River channel arepublic only to the “ordinary low water” line. Assuch, some of the river bank and gravel bars alongthe river are privately owned. Because of this, parksand greenway lands that provide public access toand along the river are especially valuablepublic resources.
Float trips by canoe, kayak or rubber raft are popular. Except for the upper forksand around the Eugene-Springfield area,there are few whitewater hazards. AboveCorvallis, it is not uncommon for thecurrent to be swift. Below Newberg, the cur-rent is very leisurely.
The chart on this page suggests typicalfloat times between major points on the river.However, these estimates will vary from partyto party depending on type of boat, ability ofthe paddlers, weather conditions and water
velocity. Especially in the lower Willamette, windscan greatly slow the progress of hand-propelledboats. In addition, tides can actually push the riverupstream below Oregon City.
BIKING AND HIKINGBesides short bicycle rides in and around some
of the parks along the river, there are many enjoy-able longer rides. Excursions take bicyclists alongrural back roads, through small towns, pasthistoric places and to various river crossings. Allthree remaining ferries—Canby, Wheatland andBuena Vista—can be included on bicycle outings.
Most state parks are popular for hiking andnature walks, as are Sauvie Island, greenway trailsin Eugene and Portland, George Rogers Park (LakeOswego), Minto-Brown Island Park (Salem) andothers shown on the following maps.
HUNTING AND FISHINGHunting for deer, waterfowl and upland game is
permitted in some locations. Hunting is allowed atthose greenway parcels shown with a hunting sym-bol in this guide—but only during authorizedseasons with a shotgun or bow and arrow. Threegreenway sites—Lynx Hollow Access on the CoastFork, Truax Island Access (RM 128) and WapatoAccess on Multnomah Channel—have special hunt-ing restrictions because of their locations. For morespecific information about hunting on state green-way parcels, contact Champoeg or Armitage stateparks. For general hunting information, contact the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW).See page 32 in this guide for appropriate state parkor ODFW telephone numbers.
Hunting on private lands is allowed only by permission of landowner, subject to state gamerules. Obey “no hunting” signs. Angling regulationsvary along the river. Check the angling synopsis,available wherever fishing licenses are sold, forspecifics on restrictions.
Using the mapsCare has been taken to make all river mapsfaithful to the riveralignment (based on1993 aerial photo-graphy), but it must beunderstood that theWillamette is a dynamicriver that changes andcan be confusing anddangerous to navigate.Don’t count on themaps to depict everyhazard or unpassablechannel.
River Miles All river miles in thisguide originate at theriver’s mouth, startingwith River Mile (RM) 0,and increasing in valuemoving upstream. Theleft bank (L) and rightbank (R) of all riverlocations in this guideare determined by fac-ing downstream. Atmany points along theriver, Willamette Rivergreenway signs indi-cate the appropriateriver mile. When usedwith maps in this guide,these signs can helpboaters identify theirlocation on the river.
RIVER MILEAGE AND FLOAT TIMES*
River EstimatedRiver Segment Miles Float Time
Dexter Reservoir-Springfield 18 4 hoursArmitage State Park-
Harrisburg 21 4 hoursHarrisburg-Corvallis 29 8 hoursCorvallis-Albany 11 5 hoursAlbany-Buena Vista 15 6 hoursBuena Vista-Independence 11 5 hoursIndependence-Salem 12 5 hoursSalem-Wheatland Ferry 12 5 hoursWheatland Ferry-
San Salvador Park 15 5-6 hoursSan Salvador-
Champoeg State Park 11 5 hoursChampoeg State Park-
West Linn 17 8 hoursWest Linn-Willamette Park 12 6-7 hoursWillamette Park-
Kelley Point Park 18 10 hours
*Estimates based on a leisurely pace with rest andlunch stops. Add extra time for additional sight-seeing. From Canoe Routes of Northwest Oregon,published by The Mountaineers, Seattle, Wash.
ABOVE: Strolling along aWillamette greenway parcel
LEFT: Fishing on the MiddleFork
00
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Virtually all areas of the Willamette offergood fishing year-round. Most libraries orbookstores contain good, locally produced fish-ing guides that can point anglers of all ages togood fishing holes, baits and lures, and con-ditions when fishing is best. Some of the morepopular spots are listed in the adjacent table.
POPULAR DESTINATIONSHere’s a sampling of places to go to enjoy
the Willamette River system:
Sauvie Island (RM 0-21M)Popular for bicycle rides (Gillihan Loop Road
is 12 miles), nature walks, and fruit and vege-table stands. More than 1,000 acres are culti-vated each year. Grains seeded in the fall providegreen forage for wintering ducks and geese. Aparking permit is required in state wildlife areas.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park (RM 11-12)Offers a chance to walk, jog, or bicycle along
several miles of Portland’s urban waterfront. It also provides access on the south end toRiverplace, a complex of restaurants, shops,hotel and condominiums. The Hawthornebridge connects pedestrians and bicyclists to theEastside Esplanade, and to a pathway to theOregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Oaks Amusement Park (RM 16)Open to the public during the summer, this
private park offers roller skating, thrill rides,and a children’s theater. Built in 1905, the parkfeatures a 60-foot ferris wheel and the largestwood-floor skating rink on the West Coast.
Willamette FallsLocks (RM 26)Locks at West Linnwere placed in ser-vice in 1873. Thewooden locks arethe oldest continu-ously operatingmulti-lock system
in America. A museum exhibits many historicphotographs and artifacts. Picnic area andrestrooms are available.
French Prairie (RM 35-70)Butteville, St. Paul and Champoeg were
originally settled by French Canadian retireesof the Hudson’s Bay Company. Hence, this areais sometimes referred to as “French Prairie.”A riverbank marker denotes location of historicButteville and its landing, founded in 1845.
DrivingAn interesting mid-valley trip couldinclude excursionsacross the Buena Vistaand Wheatland ferrieswith a side visit to theState Capitol Buildingin Salem. A nice reststop is Minto-BrownIsland Park south ofSalem, which featurespicnic areas as well asexcellent running,walking and bicyclepaths. It is best to limittotal driving time to 3-5 hours, especiallywith children.
WaterskiingPopular skiing pointsinclude MultnomahChannel, Sellwood toWillamette Park inPortland, theMilwaukie basin,above WillametteFalls, Newberg toWilsonville, and theSalem, Albany andCorvallis areas.Remember, it is the law to wave a red ororange “skier down”flag while a skier is inthe water.
BicyclingFor a fall bike ride, trythe 36-mile JunctionCity-Harrisburg looptimed to coincide witheither the Junction City ScandinavianFestival or Harrisburg’sHarvest Fest.
ABOVE: Lowell coveredbridge at Dexter Reservoir
ABOVE RIGHT: WillametteFalls and locks
SUGGESTED FISHING AREASMultnomah Channel
(RM 0) Good spring chinook salmon fishery; also winter steelhead. GilbertRiver and Sturgeon Lake fishing is mainly for warm-water game fish,primarily catfish, perch and crappie. Bank fishing is possible inseveral areas. Success rates are best during March through June.
Cedar Oak Island
(RM 23) Hides a sheltered lagoon that offers good fishing for perch,crappie, bullheads, bluegill and bass. It is especially good forwinter angling because it is protected from the river's high-waterwinter currents.
Clackamas River
(RM 25) Particularly at its confluence with the Willamette, the Clackamas is among the top salmon and steelhead producers in the entire Columbia system. Features are spring chinook, summer steelhead, coho, a small run of fall chinook and a good run ofwinter steelhead.
Rock Island
(RM 30) Its sloughs and environs provide good habitat for bass and otherwarm-water fish. It is a popular fishing hole due to its proximity toHighway 99E. Popular for boat-in camping.
Molalla River
(RM 36) Channel catfish can be caught at the junction of the Molalla andWillamette, along with crappie, bass, and bullheads, and salmon,steelhead and trout in season. Large late steelhead run.
Yamhill River
(RM 55) Bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, catfish, trout and salmon frequent theYamhill River area. A good smallmouth bass fishery also exists inthe lower Yamhill.
Buena Vista/Luckiamute River
(RM 106) For two miles upstream of Buena Vista Park and ferry is a goodstretch of the Willamette for smallmouth and largemouth bass, aswell as crappie and bluegill. Nearby Luckiamute River offers a goodpopulation of native cutthroat, with large migrating cutthroatarriving in winter for an additional fishery.
Calapooia River
(RM 119) The Calapooia River joins the Willamette at Bryant Park in Albany.Its inflow draws feeding fish, such as bass, crappie, bluegill andcatfish. Fishing for trout, steelhead and salmon, in season, also ispractical. Largemouth bass and panfish are available.
Peoria
(RM 141) The 10 to 12 river miles from Peoria to Corvallis are filled with fish-ing opportunities. Sloughs surrounding a series of islands providerelatively unfished habitats for all of the fish species found in theriver. Cutthroat trout are quite abundant from Peoria upstream.
Long Tom River
(RM 145) The Long Tom has largemouth bass, crappie and brown bullhead inlower section. Also, a popular sturgeon hole exists at its confluencewith the Willamette.
McKenzie River
(RM 175) The McKenzie is one of Oregon's best fishing rivers, with plumpredside rainbow trout, native cutthroat trout, summer steelheadand spring chinook providing anglers with plenty of action. Lowersection is a catch and release zone.
Middle Fork
(RM 187- A substantial hatchery release program has made spring 203) chinook and summer steelhead fishery attractive below Dexter
Dam. There also is a limited winter steelhead run. Fall Creek, which enters near Jasper, has a good trout fishery.
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Willamette River ferriesThe three remaining ferries on the Willamette
can be enjoyed in a day outing or a longer bicycleexcursion—the Canby Ferry (RM 34) near Canby,Wheatland Ferry (RM 72) north of Salem andBuena Vista Ferry (RM 106) south of Salem. Goodpicnic points would be Champoeg State Park,Willamette Mission State Park (at the WheatlandFerry) or Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem.
Eugene/Springfield riverfront (RM 178-186)This area offers a nice network of public bike
paths and trails along both sides of the river, joinedby several footbridges. An old canoeway connectsAlton Baker Park to the West D Street Greenway in Springfield.
OREGON STATE PARKSMary S. Young State Park
Riverfront park features hiking trails, a shortbicycle trail and athletic fields. New footbridge connects to Cedar Oak Island, park and naturalarea managed by the city of West Linn. Located on Highway 43 in West Linn, about 9 miles south-west of Portland.
Molalla River State ParkFeatures a 11/2 mile hiking
trail along which waterfowl, frogsand songbirds can be viewed. Parkalso has a large great blue heronrookery; nesting activity occursfrom February through July.Located along the Molalla andWillamette rivers near Canby.
Champoeg State ParkThe Champoeg site is most
famous for being where the decisivevote for organizing the first
provisional government in the Northwest was takenon May 2, 1843. The site is now a state park withgrassy fields, boat tie-up, picnic areas, 48-site camp-ground, extensive bike trails and two museums.Located off Highway 99W, 7 miles east of Newberg.
Willamette Mission State ParkOriginal site of Rev. Jason Lee’s Methodist mis-
sion. A new 4-mile bike trail winds through riverbottomlands. A small lake in the park contains aboat ramp and is good for panfishing. Located onWheatland Ferry Road, 8 miles north of Salem.
Sarah Helmick State ParkSmall park along the Luckiamute River. Offers
picnicking and some good fishing holes. Locatedoff Highway 99W, 6 miles south of Monmouth.
Jasper State Recreation SiteShorter hiking trails, group picnicking sites,children’s play area, volleyball court, horse-shoe pits and softball fields, fishing on theriverbank. Excellent birding opportunities.Located approximately RM 96.
Lowell State Recreation Site56-slip marina, boat ramps and a boat-house maintained by Oregon Association of Rowers. Swimming, a basketball court,picnicking. Located approximately RM 202.
Dexter State Recreation SiteVery popular with rowers, boaters andspeedboaters. Food concessionaire. Located
approximately RM 202.
Elijah Bristow State ParkSprawling day-use park with 16 miles of
hiking, biking and equestrian trails, plus severalmiles of riverfront. Located along Middle Fork of the Willamette off Highway 58, 7 miles south-east of Eugene.
FESTIVALS ANDEVENTSA selected listing:
JuneRose FestivalPortland/503-227-2681
Folklife FestivalCorvallis/541-757-0205
Outdoor ConcertsLake Oswego/503-636-9673
Historical PageantChampoeg/503-678-1649
JulyOld Fashioned July 4thHarrisburg/541-998-6154
RiverfestClackamette Park/503-650-5219
Oregon Trail PageantOregon City/503-657-0988
Victorian DaysAlbany/541-928-0911
AugustCrawfish FestivalTualatin/503-692-0780
Waterfront FestivalWest Salem/503-581-4325
Filbert FestivalSpringfield/541-744-2628
SeptemberEugene CelebrationEugene/541-687-5215
Indian Summer FolkLife FestivalSt. Paul/503-678-1649
Bybee-Howell HouseWintering-InSauvie Island/503-222-1741
OctoberSternwheeler RacePortland/503-223-3928
Sauerkraut FestivalScappoose/503-543-7991
Mary S. Young
Molalla River
Champoeg
Willamette Mission
Elijah Bristow
24
36
46
73
202
202
203
Sarah Helmick (Luckiamute River)Lowell State Recreation SiteDexter State Recreation Site
GUIDE TO OREGON STATE PARKS
River Mile (RM)
ABOVE: The pioneer festivalat Champoeg
LEFT: Historic ChampoegState Park
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Swirling through small channels, over and arounddowned trees, and creating myriad small whirlpools,the Middle Fork is a swiftly moving stream as it sets
off below Dexter Res-ervoir and throughElijah Bristow StatePark. On its journeyto the Columbia, theWillamette willchange complexionmany times. Here itis a remarkably clearstream that is popu-lar with anglers andrafters alike as it
flows over rocky beds and boulders. It is common tosee osprey, hawks and an occasional eagle flyingabove, while waterfowl work the shores and eddies.Anglers in drift boats or in waders vie for spring chi-nook salmon, steelhead and native cutthroat trout.
Above the town of Jasper, the Middle Fork is chal-lenging—especially for canoes. Drift boats and raftshave an easier time. Jet boats usually can get all theway to Dexter Dam, but they must pay heed to shal-lows opposite Jasper Park and elsewhere. Snags andstrainers (fallen trees) make some channels difficultor unpassable; conditions change frequently. Keepalert at all times for strainers and underwater debris.Before navigating these upper reaches, it is bestto scout the river or get current local infor-mation from the Lane County Sheriff’soffice, the City of EugeneOutdoor Program or localriver outfitters.
The Coast Fork,similarly, is a challenging
stretch. During high water inthe spring, it can be swift anddemanding even for the experi-enced rafter. During low watermost of the rest of the year,rocks and shallows make thisfork difficult, if not unpleasant,to float. Check local water con-ditions before venturing out.
RIVER MILEPOSTSMiddle Fork
The Dexter Holding Ponds(RM 203) are immediatelybelow Dexter Dam. There areseveral hand-launch points: (1) downriver 100 yards fromthe Dexter holding ponds, (2) on the opposite bank atDexter County Park, or (3) from the Pengra Access(RM 201) greenway parcel further downriver. PengraAccess is a good launch pointthat avoids some upriver haz-ards. Just below the mouth of Fall Creek (RM 198.5)are some hazardous channels.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge (RM 197)alerts you that Jasper County Park (RM 195) and
its river shallows are just a mile or soahead. Further, on the left, is the
Jasper Bridge boat launch (RM 194)that attracts many rafters bound for
one of Springfield’s riverside parks,such as Clearwater Park (RM 191) or
Island Park (RM 185).
Coast ForkThe Coast Fork flows from Cottage Grove
Reservoir northward for 29 river miles, parallelingthe route of Interstate 5. Several public access
points, landings and hand launch locations exist along this fork. At river mile 187, it
joins the Middle Fork, forming themainstem Willamette.
TH
E F
OR
KS
—M
IDD
LE A
ND
CO
AS
T1
MAJORFEATURES
Lowell CoveredBridgeBuilt by Lane Countyin 1945, it crosses the mid-section ofDexter Reservoir.
Dexter Holding PondsWatch adult chinooksalmon in fish ladderand holding pondsfrom May to October.Osprey and woodducks nest in areaApril to September.
Elijah Bristow State ParkA large day-use park with hiking,picnicking andhorseback riding.
Pengra AccessLaunch point namedfor Bynon Pengra, a surveyor of theOregon CentralMilitary Road.
Clearwater ParkA popular put-in and take-out point inSpringfield.
Officially, the Willamette River begins where the Middle Fork emerges from Lake Timpanogas high in the Oregon Cascades. However, the river is considered navigable only below Dexter Dam at River Mile 203, some 58 miles downstream from Lake Timpanogas. The smaller second fork—the Coast Fork—begins above Cottage Grove to the west. The two forks join at Springfield.
Middle and Coast Forks
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
PA
CI
FI
C O
CE
AN
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGEGROVE
EXCURSIONS
A challenging day trip is to float a canoe, driftboat or raft from DexterReservoir to Spring-field—12 to 18 rivermiles depending onyour put-in and take-outpoints. There are haz-ards along the way; only the experiencedshould try this runabove Jasper Bridge.ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME: 3 TO 5 HOURS.
A shorter trip would beto launch at ClearwaterPark and exit at IslandPark, 6 miles downriver.ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME: 2.5 HOURS.
1THE FORKS
204
203
201
206
191
ABOVE RIGHT: Relaxing atCottage Grove Reservoir
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COTTAGECROVE
RO
WR
IVE
R
WIL
LIA
MS
CR
WILS ON CR
C E D AR CR
COTTAGEGROVE
RES.
CUR
RE
NT
NH
5
99
LONDO
NRD
CO
TTAG
E GROVER
ES. R
D
20
17LYNX HOLLOW ACCESS
25
GIDDINGS CREEKLANDING
OPRDOPRD
COTTAGE GROVERESERVOIR DAM
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
PINE MEADOWSCAMPGROUND
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
PRIMITIVECAMPGROUND
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LAKESIDE PARK
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
SHORTRIDGE PARK
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WILSON CREEK PARK
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
TH
E F
OR
KS
—M
IDD
LE A
ND
CO
AS
T1
O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
RIVER MILES
River miles are indicatedby a at 5-mile inter-vals as well as at the topand bottom of each map.River mileage mile-by-mileis indicated by small dotsin the river channel. There are three zeropoints for river miles; at the confluences ofMultnomah Channel withthe Columbia River at St. Helens, the mainstemWillamette with theColumbia at Kelley Pointin Portland, and the CoastFork with the Middle Forkat Springfield. River milesincrease proceeding upriv-er. Major navigation haz-ards are shown with a .Specific hazards aredescribed in the legendon each map and are list-ed by river mile. Be alertfor other hazards as well.
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
Shallows, rocks: Coast Fork is generally difficult or unpassable after high water in spring; check local conditions; scout first. THROUGH RM 0C.
29C
NH
��
LEGEND
Cottage Grove Reservoir:Cottage Grove Reservoir,completed in 1942, is an ArmyCorps of Engineers projectabout five miles south ofCottage Grove. It is used pri-marily for flood control, irriga-tion and recreation. Thethree-mile-long lake and itsshoreline are used for boat-ing, swimming, water skiing,fishing, picnicking and camp-ing. Three day-use parks pro-vide opportunities for water-oriented recreation.
RM C to C
00
NH
Coast Fork: Generallynavigable only in theearly spring. It is diffi-cult to float when waterlevels drop in earlysummer. Even whennavigable, swift andshallow conditionsmake it challenging;scout before you float.
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EUGENE SPRINGFIELD
CRESWELL
CO
AS
TF
OR
K
MIDDL E
FORK
CU
RR
EN
T
NH
99
126
5
99
5
5
MT PISGAH
58
105
SEAVY LOOP RD
FRANKLINBLVD
ASP
EN
CENTENNIAL BLVD
5
ARBORETUM
185
181
190
193
SEAVY LANDING
BRISTOW LANDING
CLOVERDALE ACCESS
PISGAH LANDING
BUFORD RECREATION AREA
CAMAS SWALELANDING
5
10
COUGARMOUNTAIN ACCESS
16
LYNX HOLLOW ACCESS
ISLAND PARK
CLEARWATERBOAT RAMP
CITY OF EUGENE
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
LANE COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
OPRD
NH
NHAUTZEN
BIKE BRIDGE
WILLIEKNICKERBOCKER
BIKE BRIDGE
ALTON BAKER PARK& WATERWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
WEST D STREETGREENWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
MILLRACE PARK
FRANKLIN PARK GREENWAY
CITY OF EUGENE
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
DORRIS RANCHLIVING HISTORY FARM
GLASSBAR ISLAND LANDINGOPRD
OPRD
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
ALTON BAKER EASTGATE WOODLANDS
NH
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O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
Dorris Ranch: Site of thefirst commercial filbert nut orchard in the UnitedStates, Dorris Ranch inSpringfield continues as afully productive commer-cial filbert orchard andliving history farm. Year-round walking tours, edu-cational programs, work-shops, special events andpreservation projectsenable visitors to experi-ence early Oregon historyfirst-hand.
Millrace Park: TheSpringfield Millracediverted Willamette riverin order to power earlymills. This fueled thelocal economy. The for-mer Booth-Kelly mill wasthe largest mill of thelargest lumber companyof its day, and the flourmill powered by theMillrace was at one timeLane County’s largest,lasting for 75 years.
Springfield: In 1849,Elias M. Briggs located aland claim near here. Formany years a portion ofhis claim was known as“the spring-field”, hencethe town’s eventualname. Springfield ratedoccasional (rare) visits bysteamboats from down-river ports during thewinter high-waterseason. Like Eugene,much of Springfield’sWillamette waterfront isa parkway.
Rapids: 3-foot waves, left chan-nel below Autzen footbridge; middle and right channels are shallow; hazardous area for swimmers.Diversion dam: Dangerous ob-stacles upriver from I-5 freeway bridge; river flows over low-head dam between cement abutments left side; dangerous current along above-water revetment. Take shallow channel far right.Shallow channels: River changes channels frequently below Clearwater Park; shallow areas.THROUGH RM 183.Shallows, rocks: Coast Fork is generally difficult or unpassable after high water in spring; check local conditions; scout first.THROUGH RM 0C.
183
184
191
16C
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH
�
LEGEND
RM toRM C to C16 0
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SPRINGFIELD
JASPER
DEXTER
CO
AS
TF
OR
K
M
I D DLE
RES.
FORK
HILLS C R
FALL
C R
NH
NH
NH
MT PISGAH
58
LOWELLCOVERED
BRIDGE
58
JASPER-LOWELL RD
RID
GEW
AY
RD
42N
D S
T
JASPERRD
222
189 PISGAH LANDING
LOG JAM LANDING
LOG JAM ACCESS
JASPER BRIDGE ACCESS
JASPER STATE REC. SITEBUFORD
RECREATION AREA
195
200OPRD
GREEN ISLANDLANDING
ELIJAH BRISTOWSTATE PARK
DEXTER STATEREC. SITE
DEXTERHAND LAUNCH
PENGRA ACCESS
CLEARWATERBOAT RAMP
LANE COUNTY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
DEXTER DAM
DEXTERHOLDING PONDS
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LOWELL STATE REC. SITE
LANE COUNTY
LOOKOUT POINT DAMARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LANE COUNTY
OPRD
JASPER BRIDGE RAMP
LANE COUNTY
LANE COUNTY
S
NH
DEXTER
C URRENT
SEAVY LANDING
OPRD
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Railroad: SouthernPacific mainline followsportions of the MiddleFork. Railroad construc-tion to this area began in1909, but the final 108-mile section over theCascades was not com-pleted until 1926.
Elijah Bristow was thefounder of Pleasant Hilland an Oregon pioneerof 1846. With EugeneSkinner and two otherOregon Trail immigrants,Bristow explored theupper Willamette Valleycountry in June 1846,looking for likely placesto stake a claim. Bristowselected this site becauseof the beauty of the land-scape. The park named inhis honor is a sprawlingstate park with severalmiles of beautiful river-front and picnic areas.
The Lowell coveredbridge, originally built in1907, now crosses partof the mid-section ofDexter Reservoir. Thebridge was rebuilt byLane County in 1945.
Dexter Holding Ponds:Salmon hatchery andholding ponds havebeen operated by theU.S. Army Corps ofEngineers and OregonDepartment of Fish andWildlife since 1955.
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Shallow channels: River changes channels frequently below Clearwater Park; shallow areas. THROUGH RM 183.Shallows, rocks: Shallows near Jasper Park; many rocks. Difficult area for jet-boats in low water periods.Shallows, log jams, debris: Channel changes frequently below Fall Creek; hazardous side channels; potential log jams and strainers; scout first. THROUGH RM 196.Swift current, debris: Swift current, dangerous side channels, strainers entire stretch; experi-enced boaters only; scout first. THROUGH RM 199.
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N O R T H
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The current is typically fast through Springfieldand Eugene. At least five rapids will be encountered,offering both challenge and a likelihood of gettingwet. Of most concern to boaters is the diversion damencountered just above the I-5 crossing in Springfield.This stretch is recommended only for experiencedkayakers and canoeists.
Downstream from Eugene, the Willamette main-tains its energy and rapid flow. Between Eugene andHarrisburg, the river flows in many intertwined or“braided” channels marked by occasional snags andstrainers—but no real rapids. It is wise to stay alert
for shallows, ob-structions, strain-ers and unnaviga-ble side channels.Here, the river isnaturally unstablein a wide flood-plain, often spilling
over its shallow channels during high water to createnew ones. What is depicted as a channel on the mapmight now be a gravel bar or marsh.
Even after Harrisburg, the fickle river can lure aboater down a shallow side-channel or through someunexpected water hydraulics. Only after Corvallisdoes the Willamette begin to slacken its pace andform itself into a more reliable single channel withintermittent islands.
RIVER MILEPOSTSIsland Park (RM 185), on the right bank, has a
good boat launch. Beware of the dangerous diversiondam and rapids at the I-5 bridge about a mile down-river. Boaters should follow the shallow right channelto avoid treacherous cur-rents along a mid-riverrevetment or a three-foot plunge over thedam itself. At theAutzen footbridge(RM 183), themain channel(left) sportsthree-foot
standing waves. Middle andright channels can be shallow.
West D Street Greenway(RM 184) was created by re-routing a local street. AltonBaker Park (RM 184-182), themajor regional metropolitanpark, runs along the right bank to the Ferry Street Bridge. It contains a popularcanoeway. About 150 yardsabove the Washington StreetBridge are additional rapids.
The McKenzie River joins the Willamette at RM 175.Armitage Park, which has a good boat ramp, is aboutseven miles upstream on theMcKenzie, offering an interest-ing side trip.
Whitely (RM 175.5) andHileman (RM 173.5) are main-tained boat ramps, but neitheris on the main channel and both are difficult to locate from the river. They also mayrequire portages.
At Harrisburg (RM 160), look for the new gazeboat the riverfront park and a boat ramp just down-river from it. Landing hand-powered craft atMcCartney Park (RM 156) is difficult because of
strong currents. However, it’s another15 miles to the next boat ramp atPeoria Park (RM 141).
The river above Corvallis (RM 140-132) is filled with snags and strainers.The Crystal Lake Boat Ramp (RM133) is at the downriver end ofWillamette Park. A boat launch is atMichael’s Landing (RM 131), north ofthe Harrison Street bridge.
The remaining 11-mile run toAlbany is pleasant and easy. The best boat ramp above Albany is at Hyak Park (RM 122).
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MAJORFEATURES
Island Park and boat launchThese are adjacent to the historicSpringfield railwaystation and theSpringfield millrace.Island Park is the siteof the annual FilbertFestival.
Alton BakerPark and EastgateWoodlandsThese comprise muchof the major publicgreenway in Spring-field and Eugene.
McKenzie RiverOne of Oregon’sgreat whitewater fishing streams, forwhich the famedMcKenzie riverboat(drift boat) is named.
Long Tom RiverUnpassable by boat today, but was once used bysteamboats as farupriver as Monroe.
GreenwayparcelsA number of whichare located betweenCorvallis and Albany.
After the two major forks of the Willamette join forces near Springfield, the mainstem river begins its final 185-mile, 420-foot-in-elevation descent to Portland. Not yet a full-sized river, this uppermainstem of the Willamette still has a few exciting twists, turns and rapids in store.
Springfield to Albany
EXCURSIONS
Try a good one-dayfloat trip from ArmitagePark to Harrisburg (19river miles). Drift boatfishing is popular in thisstretch.ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME: 4 HOURS.
Or take a two-day run to Corvallis (49 miles),pulling out at WillamettePark (Crystal Lake boatramp).ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME: 10 HOURS.
A popular half-day out-ing is the 11 miles fromCrystal Lake boat rampin Corvallis to Hyak Parkupriver from Albany.ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME: 3 HOURS.
2THE UPPERMAINSTEM
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
PA
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AN
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGEGROVE
185
183
175
149
ABOVE RIGHT: Mainstemstretch near Eugene
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O N E M I L E
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N O R T H
COBURG
EUGENE
EUGENE
SPRINGFIELD
McKE
NZ I E RIVER
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CUR
RE
NT
L INN COUNTYLANE COUNTY
99W
99E
126
5
105
JUNCTIONCITY
CO
BURG
-HA
RRISBURG
RD
RIVERRD
BELT LINE RD
WILKES DR
RIVERLOOP
RD
COBU
RGRD
ASP
EN
99
99
CENTENNIAL BLVD
CROSS ROADS LN
RIVER AVE
164
170
175
BLUE RUIN ISLAND
SCANDIA LANDING
BEACON LANDINGHILEMAN BOAT RAMP
ROGERS BEND LANDING
WHITELY LANDING
WHITELY BOAT RAMP
ARMITAGE PARK
BROWN’S BOAT SKID
MARSHALLISLAND LANDING
MARSHALLISLAND ACCESS
CHRISTENSEN’SBOAT RAMP
180
BELTLINE WESTBOAT RAMP
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRDCITY OF EUGENE
(SEASONAL)
LANE COUNTY
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERSCITY OF EUGENE
OPRD
OPRD
LANE COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD(UNDEVELOPED)
HAYES RD
DRBEACON
NH
NH
NH
NH
NH
NH
OWOSSOBIKE BRIDGE
WILLIEKNICKERBOCKER
BIKE BRIDGE
OWEN ROSE GARDEN
SKINNER BUTTE PARK
ISLAND PARK
CITY OF EUGENE
EAST BANK PARKCITY OF EUGENE
DELTA PONDSCITY OF EUGENE(UNDEVELOPED)
WEST BANK PARK
CITY OF EUGENE
CITY OF EUGENE
CITY OF EUGENE
GREENWAYBIKE BRIDGE
AUTZENBIKE BRIDGE
ALTON BAKER PARK& WATERWAY WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
WEST D STREETGREENWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
MILLRACE PARK
MAURIE JACOBS PARK/RIVER HOUSE OUTDOOR PROGRAM
CITY OF EUGENE
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
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I-5 Rapids: Old milldiversion dam immedi-ately upriver from I-5bridge at Springfield isdangerous; only expe-rienced canoeists orkayakers should runthis stretch.
Eugene/Springfieldriverfronts: A nice network of publicparks, bike paths andtrails runs along bothsides of the river. Thepaths cross the riveron several foot andbicycle bridges.
McKenzie River: Namedafter Scotsman DonaldMcKenzie of John JacobAstor’s Pacific Fur Co.,who explored it in 1812.The McKenzie is some-times considered the“third fork” of theWillamette.
O N E M I L E
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N O R T H
Channel changes: Shallow side channels; river changes course frequently between Eugene and Corvallis.THROUGH RM 164.Obstructions: Cement blocks at old rock quarry, right side, present potential hazard.Rapids: Beneath power line; stay to right to avoid rock shelf.Rapids: 150 yards upriver from Washington Street Bridge; diffi-cult for jet boats in low water; stay right.Rapids: 3-foot waves, left chan-nel below Autzen footbridge; middle and right channels are shallow; hazardous area for swimmers.Diversion dam: Dangerous ob-stacles upriver from I-5 freeway bridge; river flows over low-head dam between cement abutments left side; dangerous current along above-water revetment. Take shallow channel far right.
177
178
180
182
183
184
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
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NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH �
LEGENDRM to
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O N E M I L E
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N O R T H
MONROE
HARRISBURG
L
ENNAHCE
LD
DIM
L O N G
TOM RIVER
CURR
EN
T
NORWOODISLAND
BENTON COUNTYLANE COUNTY
LINN
CO
UN
TY
AMERICANCAN CO.
STACK
WILLIAM L F INLEYNATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE
COBURG
-HARRISBURGRD
BEN
TON C O U NTYLINN C O U NT Y
99E
99E
99E
99W
99W
OLD
RIVE
RRD
IRISH BEND
STOW
PIT
RD
CARTNEY DR
AMERICAN DR
PEO
RIA
RD
145
143
150
163
160
155
BUCKSKIN MARYLANDING
SAM DAWS LANDING
IRISH BEND
HARKENS LAKELANDING
McCARTNEY PARK
HARRISBURG PARK
OPRD
OPRD
BENTON COUNTY
ANDERSON PARK
OPRD
LINN COUNTY
CITY OF HARRISBURG
NH
NH
NH
RD
BENTON COUNTY(UNDEVELOPED)
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Sam Daws Landing: Thisstate greenway parcel ison the current river chan-nel, but is a mile or soaway—due to the river’schanges—from wherethe original Daws home-site is located.
Long Tom River: Thesteamboat “Ann” initiallyventured into the LongTom River in 1869. Laterthe “Echo” operated outof Monroe for severalyears before river trafficthere proved impractical.
Harrisburg:Originally namedPrairie City. Incor-porated in 1866 and re-named afterHarrisburg, Penn.Generally the upper-most point of naviga-tion during thesteamboat era.
O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
Shallows: Shallow, swift current on side channel around Hoacum Island. Canoe, kayak access only; can be treacherous.Water hydraulics: Swift current, eddy left side of channel approaching Highway 99E bridge upriver from Harrisburg. Channel changes: Shallow side channels; river changes course frequently between Eugene and Corvallis.THROUGH RM 132.
145
161
163
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
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NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH �
LEGEND
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N O R T H
CORVALLIS
PEORIA
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RIVER
CAL
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O
OIA
CURRENT
M A R YSRIVE R
99W
99W
99E
BENTO N
COUNTY
LINN C O
UNTY
2034
34
KIGERISLAND
JOHNSMITH
ISLAND
LINNCO
UN
TY
BENTON
CO
UN
TY
FORMER SITE OFTOWN OF ORLEANS
20
20
PEO
RIA
RD
RDFAYETTEVILLE
RIVERSID
ED
R
135
140
PIONEERBOAT BASIN
WILLAMETTE PARK
RIVER JETTY LANDING
KIGER ISLAND LANDING
PEORIA PARK
HOACUM ISLANDLANDING
120
118
130
125
BRYANT PARK
HYAK PARK
BOWERS ROCKSTATE PARK
HALF MOON BENDLANDING
RIVERSIDE LANDING
TRUAX ISLAND ACCESS
CITY OF ALBANY
(UNDEVELOPED)
BENTON COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD
MICHAEL’S LANDING
CITY OF CORVALLIS
CITY OF CORVALLIS(UNDEVELOPED)
OPRD
DOWNTOWNWATERFRONT PARK
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JRAND ALAN BERG PARKS
CITY OF CORVALLIS
CITY OF CORVALLIS
CRYSTAL LAKEBOAT RAMP
CITY OF CORVALLIS
OPRD
OPRD
LINN COUNTYOPRD
CITY OF CORVALLIS
NH
NH
EBIN
GER
RD
NH
BOWMAN PARK
CITY OF ALBANYTAKENA LANDING
CITY OF ALBANY
MONTIETH RIVER PARK
CITY OF ALBANY
142
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Booneville and Middlechannels: These channelssurround upper Kiger andJohn Smith islands. Suit-able only for canoe orkayak access. The formertownsites of Booneville andBurlington were platted onthese islands. Burlington, a mile downstream fromPeoria, was sometimesconfused with Peoria.
Peoria: A century ago,Peoria was one of themajor centers of tradeand river shipping in theWillamette Valley. It fal-tered economically whenthe railroad bypassed it.
Marys River: River iscanoeable for severalmiles, but there are noput-in or take-out pointsdue to steep banks. JohnWork, a Hudson’s BayCo. employee, campedhere in 1834.
Orleans: Corvallis, on relatively high ground,fared better than the“lost town” of Orleansimmediately across theriver. Established in thelate 1850s, it was wipedout by the 1861 floodthat also took Champoegand other riverside towns.Only a church and ceme-tery remain.
Calapooia River: TheCalapooia Indian band,after whom this river isnamed, frequented theareas south and east ofhere. Native Americansin the Willamette Valleywere collectively knownas Kalapuyans, sharing a common dialect.
O N E M I L E
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N O R T H
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Rock shelf: Along right side channel just upriver from site of Bowers Rock State Park.Shallows: Shallow, swift current on side channel around Hoacum Island. Canoe, kayak access only; can be treacherous.Channel changes: Shallow side channels; river changes course frequently between Eugene and Corvallis.THROUGH RM 131.
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The middle sec-tion of the main-stem Willamettecontinues to slowand no longeractively creates newchannels. Riverdepths average 12-15 feet, althoughthere are occasionalshallows and strongcurrents—especially near obstructions—that canupset a careless boater. In other places, the riverslows and deepens to as much as 80 feet. Manysloughs and side channels lure anglers in search ofbass, crappie and other panfish. Angling for springchinook near Willamette Mission State Park can beproductive during late April and May.
Scores of abandoned landings, as well as somemajor settlements of the steamboat era—Fairfield,and Buena Vista among them—have long sincedeclined or disappeared altogether into Oregon’spast. Of the early river towns, Salem, Corvallis,Albany, Independence and a few others remain.
This section is particularly bucolic, and featurestwo of the remaining three Willamette River ferries—Buena Vista and Wheatland. Both have been in oper-ation since the early 1850s. Buena Vista was site ofimportant clay pipe and cooking ware kilns thatserved early Willamette Valley farms. Wheatland wasopposite where Rev. Jason Lee founded his Methodistmission in 1834.
RIVER MILEPOSTSAlbany (RM 120-117) has four easily accessi-
ble city parks—TakenaLanding (RM 119-117), Bryant Park(RM 120),
Bowman Park(RM 119) andMonteith Park(RM 118). TheBryant boatramp is nolonger usable.Monteith Parkprovides a tran-sient tie-up dockand good access
to downtown Albany.The Santiam River joins
opposite Luckiamute Landing(RM 108-107). This is a goodfishing and wildlife viewingarea. Remnants of the oldgallery forest can be seenaround Luckiamute Landing,which is frequented by baldeagles and wild turkeys.
The Buena Vista Ferry (RM 106) is next to Buena VistaPark. Just downriver, Wells Island Park (RM 106-105)is an undeveloped island popular for boat camping.
At Independence Riverfront Park and boat ramp(RM 95.5), the town’s old ferry landing is still visible.Further on, Salem, Oregon’s capital, has an excellentriverfront park, Wallace Marine Park (RM 84-83), with two boat ramps—the downstream one for hand-launch only. Salem’s downtown riverfront is beingdeveloped as a major public recreation park.
A small transient tie-up (RM 84)provides access to downtown Salem.
Next are Wheatland Ferry (RM 72)and Willamette Mission State Park. The
park has a boat ramp for non-motorized craft,below the ferry landing on the right bank.
San Salvador Park (RM 57) has a well-maintained boat ramp. Beyond it, the YamhillRiver (RM 55) joins the Willamette. The Yamhillcan be navigated upriver to a boat ramp at Dayton
(RM 5 on the Yamhill)—and sometimes toLafayette. Be careful of shoals.
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MAJORFEATURES
Ankeny RefugeOne of three nationalwildlife refuges thatprovide importantwinter habitat forgeese and otherwaterfowl in theWillamette Valley.
SalemIn 1852, the steamer“Canemah” trans-ported lawmakersfrom Oregon City to Salem to unite with the rest of theterritorial governmentafter Congress settledthe territorial capitaldispute. Salem thenbecame the statecapital when Oregonachieved statehoodin 1859.
Lincoln AccessOnce the largestshipping port on the river abovePortland, Lincoln is now just a smallrural community.
WillametteMission State ParkSite of the North-west’s first Indianmission station in 1834.
This midsection of the Willamette Valley, tamed by settlers during the 1850s through 1880s, became the fertile heartland that fueled Oregon’s growth and development. Many prosperous towns and landings sprang up along the river, but today are gone—as faint a memory as thesteamboat’s whistle.
Albany to St. Paul/Newberg
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
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EUGENE
COTTAGEGROVE
3THE MIDDLEMAINSTEM
EXCURSIONS
A good float trip is toput in at the Santiamboat ramp at the I-5Santiam bridges restarea (freeway mile 241).Float the five miles tothe Willamette and thento either IndependencePark (18 river miles) orWallace Marine Park inSalem (28 miles).ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME: 4 TO 6 HOURS.
A good car or bicycletrip is to take countryroads to and across theWheatland or BuenaVista ferries.
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ALBANY
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LUCK IAMU T E
R I V E R
SANTIAM
RIVER
CALAPOOIARIVER
CU
RR
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NH
POLK COUNTYBENTON COUNTY
SPRING
HILL
RD
L INNMAR I O N
MARIONLINN
BENTO
N
COU
NT
Y
L INN
COU
NTY
99E
5
5
99W
20
JUDSONROCKS
ANKENY NATIONALWILDLIFE REFUGE
BUENA VISTA RD
WINTEL RDB
UEN
A V
ISTA
RD
CO
RVA
LLIS
RD
PARKER RD
E E WILSONSTATE
GAME REFUGE
TALBOT RD
CO
RVA
LLIS
RD
SIDNEY ACCESS100
97
105
110
AMERICAN BOTTOMLANDING
BUENA VISTA PARK
WELLS ISLAND PARK
LUCKIAMUTE LANDING
BLACK DOG LANDING
115
120
122
TAKENA LANDING
BOWMAN PARK
BRYANT PARK
HYAK PARK
BOWERS ROCKSTATE PARK
BUENA VISTAFERRY
INDEPENDENCEBAR LANDING
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
POLK COUNTY
POLK COUNTY
SANTIAM REST AREAHAND LAUNCH
ODOT
OPRD
CITY OF ALBANY
CITY OF ALBANY
CITY OF ALBANY
BENTON COUNTY
MONTIETH RIVER PARK
CITY OF ALBANY
(UNDEVELOPED)
SARAH HELMICK STATE PARK
OPRD
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O N E M I L E
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N O R T H
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Buena Vista: Oncehome of the OregonPottery Company,which from 1866-1896 produced pot-tery wares usedthroughout theWillamette Valleyand Oregon.
Santiam River: Untilforced to the GrandRonde reservation in1856, the Santiam bandof Native Americanslived in the valleys ofthe middle and southforks of the Santiam.
Takena Landing: Albany’s original name wasTakenah—a Native American word describ-ing the “large pool or depression” createdby the Calapooia River where it joins theWillamette. Too often this got translated tomean “hole in the ground”; hence the deci-sion to rename the community.
Buena Vista Ferry:Operates April throughOctober, Wednesdaythrough Sunday. Hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. week-days; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.weekends. Pedestriansand bicyclists are free;cars and small pickuptrucks are $1; vehicleswith trailers are $2.
Shallow channels: Watch for small, shallow channels next 5 miles; channels change seasonally. THROUGH RM 97.Congested area: Watch for other river traffic in Albany vicinity. THROUGH RM 117.
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Hiking
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Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
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NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH
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LEGEND
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KEIZER
SALEM
WEST SALEM
IND
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CURRENT
RICK REALLC R
POLK COUNTY
MARI O NCOUN
TY
POLK
MARION
99E
5
219221
5
99E
22
22
51
51
51
RIVER RD
DARROWBAR
WIN
DSO
R ISLAN
D RD
CHEMAWA RD
RIVE
R RD
GARLAND
WY
SUNSET
DR
CUMMINGS
LN
EOLA HILLS
95
76
80
LINCOLN ACCESS
DARROW BAR ACCESS
WALLACE MARINE PARKMcLANE ISLAND
BEARDSLEY’S BAR ACCESS
SPONGS LANDING PARK
85
90
95
97
MINTO-BROWNISLAND
INDEPENDENCE ISLAND
INDEPENDENCERIVERVIEW PARK
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRDCITY OF SALEM/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY
DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT PARK
CITY OF SALEM/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY
CITY OF SALEM/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY
CITY OF INDEPENDENCE
MARION COUNTY/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY
NH
EMIL MARK/LLOYD STRANGEFISHING HOLE
POLK COUNTY
NH
NH
RIVER ROADBRIDGE
OPRD
DARROW ROCKS LANDING
OPRD
PALMA CIEA PARKCITY OF KEIZER(UNDEVELOPED)
RIVER’S EDGE PARKCITY OF KEIZER(UNDEVELOPED)
SUNSET PARK
CITY OF KEIZER
HALLS FERRY ACCESS
OPRD
TH
E M
IDD
LE M
AIN
ST
EM
—A
LBA
NY
TO
ST.
PA
UL/
NE
WB
ER
G3
O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
Spongs Landing: TheSpongs family settledopposite the old town of Lincoln, where theyestablished a ferry incompetition with Doak’sFerry across the river.The ferry owners report-edly withheld landingrights from each other,culminating in “a shoot-ing fray between crews”that, fortunately, resultedin no casualties.
Independence: Platted in the late 1840s byEdwin A. Thorpe, by 1853 Independence hadits own post office. The 1861-62 flood wipedout the town, leading townspeople to plat anew town. For a time there was both an “OldTown” and “New Town”. The flood of 1890also hit Independence hard, especially NorthIndependence (Old Town), which was com-pelled to move. The old ferry landing is stillvisible on both sides of river.
Lincoln Access: One of the Willamette’smost successful early-day towns—named after President Lincoln—wonfame for shipping out a record 350,000bushels of wheat one year. It boasted ahalf-mile-long waterfront of warehousesand wharves, none of which remains.
Eola: The area at the foot of Eola Hills was once atown called Cincinnati, established in 1849 and aprospering little community by 1851. At one time itwas mentioned as a possible site for the state capi-tal. Eola Hills spread out to the north at the bend inthe river. Joshua “Sheep” Shaw named it after theOhio town he grew up in; Shaw and his family werethe first immigrants to drive sheep over the “Roadto Oregon” in 1844. The town was situated justdownriver from Rickreall Creek.
Rock shoals: Left side, just upriver from power lines.Congested area: Watch for other river traffic in the downtown Salem vicinity. THROUGH RM 81.Rocks: Right side of left channel around island.
79
88
92
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH ��
LEGEND
RM to
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ST. PAUL
DAYTON
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219
99W
18
MAHONY
RD
GRAND ISLA ND RD
UPPERISLAND RD
WH
EATLAND
RD
YAMHILLC
OU
NT
Y
MARION
COUN
TY
YAMHILL COUNTYPOLK COUNTY
219
5
214
219
221
221
CANDIANIBAR
COFFEEISLAND
GRANDISLAND
99E
WINDSORISLAND
WHEATLANDBAR
219
FIVEISLAND
LAMBERT BAR
WACONDA RD
METHENY RD
54
60
65
70
76
JACKSON BEND LANDING
ELDRIDGE BAR LANDING
WILLAMETTE MISSIONSTATE PARK
WINDSOR ISLANDACCESS
GRAND ISLANDACCESS
SPRING VALLEY ACCESS
WHEATLANDFERRY
SAN SALVADOR PARKYAMHILL LANDING
OPRD
DAYTON BOAT RAMP
YAMHILL COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
NH
NH
BLANCHET AVE
RIVE
R RD
BOAT RAMP
BROOKLAKE RD
NH
NH
OPRD
TH
E M
IDD
LE M
AIN
ST
EM
—A
LBA
NY
TO
ST. PA
UL/N
EW
BE
RG
3
Wheatland: The Wheatlandcommunity once hadnumerous shops, stores,mills, warehouses and twohotels. All except the ferryis gone now, replaced byan orchard.
Dayton: The town square,maintained as a park,commemorates Gen. JoelPalmer. He was the super-intendent of Indian Affairsfor the Oregon Territorywho negotiated the 1854-55 treaties wherebyWillamette Valley Indiansceded their lands over to the U.S. government.The park’s focal point isthe relocated blockhouseof Fort Yamhill.
Lambert Slough:Suitable only for canoeor kayak access. LambertSlough, a good duckhunting area, was once alarger channel anddefined Grand Island.
Willamette MissionState Park: Methodistmissionary Jason Leeestablished the firstMethodist mission westof the Rockies here in1834. Lee moved his mission to Salem(Chemeketa) in 1840.
Yamhill River: YamhillRiver is usually navigableto Dayton and, in highwater, to Lafayette wheresteamboats once ven-tured. Look for the aban-doned, historic lock nearLafayette that madesteamboat visits possi-ble. Watch also for dead-heads and other debris.
Wheatland Ferry:Operates daily year-round,except for Christmas andThanksgiving. Hours are 6 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily.Pedestrians and bicyclistsare free; cars and smallpickups are $1; vehicleswith trailers are $2.
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Yamhill River: Narrow but navi-gable usually to Dayton; in high water to Lafayette. Treacherous after heavy rains.Rock ledge: Along right bank for about 150 yards upriver from Yamhill River confluence.Hydraulics, debris: Strong water hydraulics and log debris just upriver from Yamhill Landing at Candiani Bar.Congested area: Multiple river uses in area; watch for other traffic near Willamette Mission State Park.
55
55
59
73
O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
RM to
y g
From Newberg to its confluence with the Columbia50 river miles later, the Willamette is mostly placidand slow-moving. In this section, the river runsthrough a beautiful wooded gorge with narrow seg-ments that make navigation challenging at points,especially around islands and rocky shoals.
At Oregon City, the riverbed is a basalt shelf thatcreates the impressive 41-foot Willamette Falls. Tur-bulent waters near the baseof the falls are unsafe forsmall boats. Observe theboating and fishing dead-line (yellow markers).
Below the falls, the riveris often congested withrecreational and commer-cial river traffic. Still, you’ll see great blue heron,waterfowl, vegetation and
wetlands along the way. The fishing, especially forsalmon and sturgeon, is very popular.
RIVER MILEPOSTSRodgers Landing (RM 50) has a boat ramp and
tie-up with a park and restrooms. Champoeg StatePark (RM 46-43), also has a tie-up. Nearby is historicButteville Landing (RM 43).
Boones Ferry Park (RM 39) has a boat rampand Wilsonville Memorial Park (RM 38) offers atransient tie-up facility. Molalla River State Park(RM 36-34), which has a large blue heron rook-ery, is just upstream from the Canby Ferry. Fromhere to Rock Island (RM 30), beware of narrowchutes and rocky reefs. Observe marker buoysand range boards.
Bernert Land-ing (RM 28) hasboth a boatramp and tie-up. West Linn’sWillamette Park(RM 28) is at themouth of theTualatin River.
To enter Willamette FallsLocks (RM 27) from upriver,keep to the far left bank. Thelocks are open from 7 a.m. to11 p.m. daily. Weekends arebest due to the amount of commercial traffic—which has priority—during the week. Allow about an hour for passage each way.
Below the old Oregon CityBridge (RM 26), remnants ofthe historic Oregon City steam-boat landing are visible. Aseries of public parks, islandsand other access points, includ-ing Goat, Cedar and HoggIslands, and Meldrum Bar, follow. Mary S. Young StatePark (RM 24) no longer has a boat ramp. Roehr Park (RM20) features a public boat dockconnected to an outdoor amphitheater. Elk RockIsland (RM 19) is accessible by boat.
The Sellwood Bridge (RM 17) is the first of 10 vehicle bridges crossing the Willamette withinPortland. Oaks Bottom (RM 16) and Ross Island (RM 15) represent important wildlife habitat. Just
beyond the Ross Island Bridge isthe Oregon Museum of Science
and Industry (R) and theU.S.S. Blueback submarine.Riverplace (RM 13), which has
a 24-hour public dock (reser-vations required), is within walk-
ing distance of downtown Portland.The 27-foot-high Portland Seawall
(L) runs along much of Tom McCall Water-front Park (RM 14-12). Beware of large com-
mercial vessels in the Portland harbor.The Fremont Bridge (RM 11) and the majestic
St. Johns Bridge (RM 6.1) follow. The spires of theSt. Johns bridge rise to an imposing 418 feet, formingthe northern river gateway to Portland.
TH
E L
OW
ER
MA
INS
TE
M—
NE
WB
ER
G T
O P
OR
TLA
ND
4
MAJORFEATURES
Champoeg State ParkSite of the settlers’convention of May 2,1843, which deter-mined formation ofthe provisionalgovernment of theOregon country.
Canby FerryFerry was establishedin 1911; often calledthe “ClackamasCounty Navy”.
Willamette FallsA 41-foot-high
falls passable onlyusing the adjacentlocks.
Oregon CityFirst incorporatedcity west of theRockies (1844) andterminus of theOregon Trail.
Waud BluffSite of the Universityof Portland and fur-thest upriver landingof Lewis and Clark’sexpedition in 1806.
No other section of the Willamette is more steeped in Oregon history than the lower river, which begins a 20-mile long eastward bend at Newberg, then presses northward once again at Canby for its final run to the Columbia. En route, it passes through a metropolitan area where the vast majority of Oregon’s population lives.
Newberg to Portland
EXCURSION
A day-long round-tripboat excursion can beenjoyed by putting in at Clackamette Parkand proceeding upriverthrough the WillametteFalls Locks to Molalla orChampoeg state parks.At cruise speed (15knots), river travel timeis about 3 hours for theround trip. Add 4 hoursfor passage through thelocks, a lunch break andsightseeing.ESTIMATED ROUND TRIP: 7 HOURS.
4THE LOWERMAINSTEM
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
PA
CI
FI
C O
CE
AN
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGEGROVE
46
34
27
26
8
ABOVE RIGHT: DowntownPortland waterfront
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WILSONVILLENEWBERG
BUTTEVILLE
YAMHILL COUNTY
MARION COUNTY
CU
RR
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CLACKAMAS COUNTYMARION COUNTY
YA
MH
ILL
CO
UN
TY
CL
AC
KA
MA
S C
OU
NT
Y
WASHINGTON COUNTY
BUTTEV
ILLE
RD
WIL
SON
VIL
LER
D
219
99W
ASHISLAND
RIVER
RD
FREN
CHPRAIR
IERD
BUTT
EVIL
LERD
CHA MPOEG R D
WE STON RD
WILSONVI LLE RD
FORMER SITEOF TOWN OFCHAMPOEG 5
39
45
50
FRENCH PRAIRIE ACCESS
CHAMPOEG STATE PARK
PARRETT MOUNTAINACCESS
RODGERS LANDING
55
OPRD
OPRD
YAMHILL COUNTY
NH
NH
NH
HESS CREEK LANDINGOPRD
TH
E LO
WE
R M
AIN
ST
EM
—N
EW
BE
RG
TO
PO
RT
LAN
D4
O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
Ash Island: Ash Island isused for farming. A pri-vate ferry is visible fromthe main (R) channel.Bass fishing is popular onleft channel. Caution: Theentrance to the left chan-nel is hazardous becauseof water dam at channelentrance.
Butteville: A marker alongthe river denotes the loca-tion of an old landing found-ed in 1845 to compete withnearby Champoeg. The areabetween the Pudding River,which enters the MolallaRiver at Molalla River StatePark, and the Willamette wasoriginally settled by French-Canadian retirees from theHudson’s Bay Company.Hence, the area is some-times called “French Prairie”.
Champoeg State Park:Pivotal site in the forma-tion of the provisionalgovernment of Oregon in1843. Champoeg wasplatted as a town in 1852,but a disastrous flood in1861 virtually wiped itout. A flood in 1890 fin-ished the job. Now a statepark, Champoeg was thesite of the last upriversteamboat visit—by the“Claire”—sponsored bythe Veteran Steamboat-men’s Association in 1952.
Fairfield: One of themost important pioneersteamboat landings andshipping ports for wheatgrown in the FrenchPrairie area. Establishedin 1851 along what isnow the Salem-St. Paulroad. Only vague tracesremain of Fairfield today.
Underwater rock ledge: Right side across from Parrett Access; downriver from Champoeg tie-up.Wing dam: Upriver end of Ash Island at entrance to left channel; occasionally submerged.Rock ledge: Rock bench along right side for about 150 yards upriver from Yamhill River confluence.
45
52
55
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH
��
LEGEND
RM to
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MILWAUKIE
LAKE OSWEGO
GLADSTONE
OREGONCITY
WEST LINN
WILSONVILLE
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CL
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R
CURRENT
MULTNOMAH COUNTYCLACKAMAS COUNTY
MULTNOMAHCLACKAMAS
99E
205
205
99E
5
99W
5
43
CEDARISLAND
GOATISLAND
HOGGISLAND
WILLOWISLAND
HISTORICCANEMAHTOWNSITE
MO
UN
TAIN
RD
HOFFMAN RD
HO
LLY
STS
TAFF
ORD
RD
212
5
20
17
POWERS MARINE PARK
GEORGE ROGERS PARK
ELK ROCK ISLAND
JEFFERSON STREETBOAT RAMP
OAK GROVEBOAT RAMP
MARY S. YOUNGSTATE PARK
ADAM CLARK COVE
CEDAR OAKBOAT RAMP
MELDRUM BAR PARK
SPORTSCRAFT MARINA
CLACKAMETTE PARK
DAHL PARK
WILLAMETTE PARK
ROCK ISLAND LANDING
COALCA LANDING
FISH EDDY LANDING
HEBB PARK
BOONES FERRY PARK
CANBYFERRY
WILLAMETTEMERIDIAN LANDING
BOONES FERRYPUBLIC RAMP
WILSONVILLEMEMORIAL PARK
MOLALLA RIVERSTATE PARK
25
30
35
39
BOATWORKS LTD. MARINA
CITY OF PORTLAND
DOGWOOD PARKCITY OF MILWAUKIE
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
CITY OF GLADSTONE
CITY OF GLADSTONE
CITY OF OREGON CITY
WESTBRIDGE PARK“MCLEAN HOUSE”CITY OF WEST LINN
OPRD
CITY OF WEST LINN
BERNERT LANDING
CITY OF WEST LINN
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
CITY OF WILSONVILLE
CITY OF WILSONVILLE
OPRD
CITY OF MILWAUKIE
ROEHR PARK
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
CITY OF WEST LINN
(UNDEVELOPED)
RIVERVILLA PARKN. CLACKAMAS PARKS & REC
(UNDEVELOPED)
RIVERSIDE PARKCLACKAMAS WATER DISTRICT
N. CLACKAMAS PARKS & RECNH
NH
NH
OREGONCITY
BRIDGE
WILLAMETTEFALLS LOCKS
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
S
S
KNIGHTS BRIDGE
ARNDT RD
NH
PU
DDIN G R IVER
TH
E L
OW
ER
MA
INS
TE
M—
NE
WB
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G T
O P
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TLA
ND
4
O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
Canby Ferry: Operatesdaily year-round, exceptin very high water.Hours are 6:45 a.m. to9:15 p.m. Vehicles are$1; pedestrians andbicycles are free.
Willamette Falls Locks:Opened in 1873, thelocks were privatelyowned until 1915 whenthey were taken over bythe U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers. Operates from7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.Allow about an hour forpassage each way.
Tualatin River:Canoes and kayakscan navigate upthe Tualatin untilreaching low-headdam about onemile upriver.
Oregon City: OregonCity was the first seat oforganized governmentwest of the Rockies; settled in 1829 and, inthe 1840s, became thewestern terminus for the Oregon Trail.
RM to
Rock shoals: Opposite Milwaukie, left side, very dangerous reef downriver from Elk Rock Island; marked by three unlighted buoys (numbers 8, 10 and 10-A).Rock shoals: Right side of channel, opposite Cedar Island.Willamette Falls: Unpassable 41-foot-high falls; beware of shallows downriver; use locks (left side) for passage.Rock shoals: Multiple rocky shoals and ledges, both sides vicinity of Rock Island.
18
23
27
30
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH
�
LEGEND
y g
LINNTON
PORTLAND
PORTLAND
ST. JOHNS
COL U
MB
IA
SL
OU
GH
S M I T HL A K E
B Y B E EL A K E
HAYDENISLAND
26
30BY
GILLIH
A
NLO
OP
RD
WAUDBLUFF
SUTTLE RD
99W
5
43
OREGON MUSEUM OFSCIENCE & INDUSTRY
(U.S.S . BLUEBACK)
99E
405
5 99E
30
30
84
26
PORTLAND FIRE BOAT STATION #6
5
10
15
RIVERPLACE
WILLAMETTE PARK
STAFF JENNINGSMARINA
SELLWOODRIVERFRONT PARK
POWERS MARINE PARK
WAVERLY YACHT CLUB
OAKS BOTTOM
OAKS AMUSEMENT PARK
SWAN ISLANDBOAT RAMP
KELLEY POINT PARK
CITY OF PORTLAND
PORT OF PORTLAND
ANKENY STREETPUBLIC BOAT DOCK
CITY OF PORTLAND
ST. JOHNS BRIDGE
ST. JOHNS RR BRIDGE
FREMONT BRIDGE
McCARTHY PARK
PORT OF PORTLAND
BROADWAY BRIDGE
STEEL BRIDGE
BURNSIDE BRIDGE
MORRISON BRIDGEHAWTHORNE BRIDGE
MARQUAM BRIDGE
ROSS ISLAND BRIDGE
MULTNOMAH COUNTYSHERIFF RIVER PATROL
TOM McCALLWATERFRONT PARK
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLANDCITY OF PORTLAND
SELLWOODBRIDGE
NH
NH
NH
NH
CATHEDRAL PARK
CITY OF PORTLAND
SAUVIE ISLAND
COL U M BIA
R I V E R
0
17
S
SS
TH
E LO
WE
R M
AIN
ST
EM
—N
EW
BE
RG
TO
PO
RT
LAN
D4
O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
St. Johns Bridge: This is the site of one ofPortland’s earliest ferries,operated by JamesJohns in 1852. CathedralPark, popular for water-sports and fishing, sitsbelow the bridge alongthe right bank.
Oaks Bottom: 160-acreOaks Bottom WildlifePark has a great diversityof plants and wildlife inits forests, swamps andmarshes. Heavily used byherons, waterfowl andsmall birds. Trailhead isat SE 7th and SellwoodBlvd. Also good for fish-ing for crappie, bass,perch and crawfish.
Ross Island: Site of alarge sand and graveloperation, and also thelocation of a blue heronrookery on northern end.
Portland: Portland, set-tled in 1843, was plattedby Francis Pettygroveand Asa Lovejoy in 1845. They reportedlyflipped a coin to deter-mine whether the townshould be named Boston(after Boston, Mass.) orPortland (after Portland,Maine). Pettygrove, whowas from Maine, won the coin flip.
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Commercial shipping: Beware of large commercial ships in Portland harbor; do not anchor in shipping lanes; congested area, watch for other river traffic.THROUGH RM 0.Ross Island Lagoon: Boating discouraged due to conflicts with commercial gravel operation. Rocky shallows: Upriver end of Ross Island and near Toe Island; congested area, watch for other river traffic.Rock shoals: Rock shoals extend out 200 feet left side at Stevens’ Point, upriver from Willamette Park; marked by unlighted Buoy 4.
12
15
15
16
RM to
y g
Multnomah Channel begins three miles upstreamfrom the Willamette’s main confluence with theColumbia. It traverses the west flank of Sauvie Islandfor 21 miles until it, too, connects with the ColumbiaRiver (at St. Helens).
Meriwether Lewisand William Clark,explorers for theyoung republic of theUnited States, notedthe island duringtheir 1804-06 expedi-tion, calling itWapato Island afterthe large beds ofarrowhead, or wildpotato, growing there. The Native American name forthe plant is wapato. The island was once a center oftrade for Native Americans stretching from theWillamette Valley to Idaho and Wyoming.
A French-Canadian employee of the Hudson’s BayCompany, Laurent Sauve, for whom Sauvie Island isnow named, established the first non-native settle-ment in 1838—a dairy. Since then, little other thanagricultural development has occurred on the island.
The channel is mostly a peaceful waterway fea-turing quiet moorages, lush vege-
tation, plentiful songbirdsand waterfowl.
RIVER MILEPOSTSA series of moorages
and marinas greets theboater between
MultnomahChannel’sconfluencewith the
Willamette and theSauvie Island Bridge(RM 20). Several moor-ages have boat ramps
available to the public, usuallyfor a small fee.
Pastoral Sauvie Island, onthe right, is popular for bicycle
rides, nature walks,swimming beaches,and its fruit and vegetable stands.Just inland is thehistoric Bybee-Howell House, a fineClassical Revivalhouse built in 1856and restored andmaintained by theOregon Historical
Society. It is open to the publicduring the summer.
The Sauvie Island PublicBoat Ramp (RM 18) is just up-river from Wapato Access (RM17-18), near one of the siteswhere Nathaniel Wyeth main-tained an outpost called Ft.William from 1834-1836. AtWapato Access is Hadley’sLanding (RM 17.5), a transient tie-up and trail.
About halfway down the channel, the SauvieIsland Wildlife Management Area (RM 11-0) begins. It is a major wintering and resting area for more than 300,000 ducks and geese. The refuge alsofeatures swans, great blue herons, sandhill cranes,purple martins and bald eagles. Access is by road or by boat via the Gilbert River Boat Ramp (RM 6).Check rules on wildlife viewing restrictions duringhunting season and in the spring.
Several parks and a marina can be found at thechannel’s confluence with the Columbia. Theseinclude Sand Island Marine Park at St. Helens in the Columbia River, St. Helens Landing andColumbia View Park. Scappoose Bay, a 6-mile-longbackwater parallel to the channel, also contains aboat ramp and marina. Scappoose Bay Landing is a large state greenway parcel between the bay andMultnomah Channel.
MU
LTN
OM
AH
CH
AN
NE
L5
MAJORFEATURES
Sauvie IslandAn important NativeAmerican tradinggrounds.
Bybee-HowellHouseA fine 1856 ClassicalRevival home onSauvie Island; itsample grounds and orchards areideal for picnics.
Sauvie IslandWildlife Manage-ment AreaContains 12,000acres of shallow lakesand sloughssuitable forcanoeing,fishing, andnature viewing.
St. HelensEstablished in 1847 by Henry M.Knighton. Justupriver, the littletown of Milton waswashed away in the 1861flood.
Once plied by paddlewheel steamers churning toward Portland or St. Helens, Multnomah Channel is now a lazy byway marked by quiet houseboat moorages and a major wildlife sanctuary—a delightful getaway from the marine congestion that otherwise dominates the lower Willamette.
Multnomah Channel
EXCURSIONS
Take MultnomahChannel to the SauvieIsland boat ramp orHadley’s Landing. Take astroll—or ride bikes—onthe island. Gillihan LoopRoad is a flat 12-mileloop through farmland,past vegetable standsand the historic Bybee-Howell House, above.ESTIMATED TIME: ABOUTAN HOUR BY BICYCLE.
Hike to Wapato Accessor walk northeasterly tothe Sauvie Island Wild-life Management area(about 3 miles). Greatfor birdwatching, butobserve seasonalrestrictions.
5MULTNOMAH
CHANNEL
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
PA
CI
FI
C O
CE
AN
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGEGROVE
0
0M
11M
21M
ABOVE RIGHT: SauvieIsland bridge
y g
SCAPPOOSE
BURLINGTON
LINNTON
ST. JOHNS
CO
LU
MB
IA
RI
VE
R
COL U
MB
IA
SL
OU
GH
GIL
BE
RT
RI
VE
R
MU
LTN
O
MA
H
CHA
NN
EL
ST
UR
GE
ON
LA
KE
COLUMBIA COUNTYMULTNOMAH COUNTY
GIL
LIH
ANLO
OP RDBYBEE-HOWELLHOUSE
OAKISLAND
SAUVIE ISLAND GAMEMANAGEMENT HQ
REEDER
RD
COLUMBIA AVE E
SUTTLE RD
REED
ER R
D
HAPPY ROCK MOORAGE
ROCKY POINTE MARINA
WAPATO ACCESS
BURLINGTONBOAT RAMP
LARSON’S MARINA
LUCKY’S LANDING MARINA
FRED’S MARINA
KELLEY POINT PARK
CATHEDRAL PARK
SAUVIEISLAND
WILDLIFEMANAGEMENT
AREAODFW
0
20
15
10
8
5
OPRD
HADLEY’S LANDING
OMP, OPRD, PORT OF PORTLAND
METRO
BELLEVUE POINT
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
CITY OF PORTLAND
ST. JOHNS BRIDGE
ST. JOHNS RR BRIDGE
(UNDEVELOPED)
SAUVIEISLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
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OAK ISLAND BOAT RAMP
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BROWNS LANDING
COLUMBIA COUNTYBOAT RAMP
COLUMBIA COUNTY
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N O R T H
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Wapato Access,named for the wapatoplant that was a staplefood for WillametteValley and ColumbiaBasin Indians, is a hike-able greenway parcel.
Sturgeon Lake and otherwaters in Sauvie Island Wild-life Management area offergood panfish fishing. Bankfishing can be done fromOak Island along the south-western shore of SturgeonLake. Footbridges alongPete’s Slough, south of BigMcNary Lake, provide addi-tional access for fishing andwildlife viewing.
Ft. William on SauvieIsland was one of the early Euro-American trading sites in theWillamette basin. It was founded in 1834 by Nathaniel J. Wyeth,shortly thereafter wasmoved to the MultnomahChannel side of theisland and was aban-doned two years later.
Multnomah Channel ispopular during the springand winter for anglersseeking chinook salmonand steelhead. The springchinook run in theWillamette—greatly aidedby fish passage improve-ments at Willamette Fallsand the 1960s cleanup ofthe river—has historicallybeen the Willamette’slargest salmon run.
Commercial shipping: Beware of large commercial ships in Portland harbor; do not anchor in shipping lanes; congested area, watch for other river traffic. THROUGH RM 0.
7
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
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NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
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LEGEND
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O N E M I L E
SCALE: 1":8000'
N O R T H
ST. HELENS
SCAPPOOSE
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OAKISLAND
COLUMBIA COUNTYMULTNOMAH COUNTY
GILLIHA
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SAND ISLAND MARINE PARK
ST. HELENS LANDING
COLUMBIA VIEW PARK
SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINA
SCAPPOOSE BAY LANDING
GILBERT RIVER TIE-UP
JJ COLLINS (COON ISLAND)MEMORIAL PARK
HAPPY ROCK MOORAGE
ST. HELENS MARINA
SAUVIEISLAND
WILDLIFEMANAGEMENT
AREAODFW
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SAUVIEISLAND
WILDLIFEMANAGEMENT
AREAODFW
CITY OF ST. HELENS
CITY/COUNTY BOAT DOCK
CITY OF ST. HELENS
PORT OF ST. HELENS
OPRD
COLUMBIA COUNTY
BROWNS LANDING
HAPPY ROCK MOORAGE
ROCKY POINTE MARINA
COLUMBIA COUNTYBOAT RAMP
COLUMBIA COUNTY
GILBERT RIVER BOAT RAMP
ODFW & COLUMBIA COUNTY
COLUMBIA COUNTY
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OAK ISLAND BOAT RAMP
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N O R T H
Coon Island, JJ CollinsPark on Coon Island isone of the few places onthe channel where camp-ing is permitted.
Wildlife viewing: The SauvieIsland Wildlife ManagementArea is an excellent place toenjoy bird watching and par-take in other recreationalactivities. Check rules onviewing restrictions duringthe hunting season andspring. Picnicking and otherday-use activities are allowedprovided they do not conflictwith fish and wildlife needs.Sites are not developed forthese uses, drinking water isnot available, and restroomsare primitive.
Public access: Users ofthe game managementarea must purchase anddisplay an annual or dailyparking permit whileparked on state lands on Sauvie Island. Annualpermits cost $10.50 anddaily permits cost $3.00.Several local vendors nearor on Sauvie Island sellpermits. It should beremembered that theState of Oregon does notown all of the land on thenorth end of the islandand none on the southernend. Care should betaken not to trespass on private property.
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
BoataccessVehicleaccessPublic docktransient use
Navigationhazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boatcamping
Division ofState Lands public land
NH �
LEGEND
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Pollution alertsThe city of Portlandposts alerts along theriver whenever its combined sewer andstorm drains overflowinto the river. For information, call theRiver Alert Info Line,503-823-2479.
“Please Pump, Don’t Dump”It is illegal to dischargeany untreated sewageoverboard from marinetoilets into the river.
Use good outdoor ethicsIn addition to handlinghuman waste properly,observe good ethics atcamping and picnick-ing spots. Only usedead and down drift-wood for campfires.Use firepans at all fires,and cover fire pits atundeveloped sitesafter use. Better yet—use camp stoves forcooking.
Adopt-A-RiverThis program providesfree garbage bags,buttons, windowdecals, how-to handbook andresource guide. Call800-322-3326 forinformation.
Take The Plunge!Adopt A River!
Still, the Willamette does contain some pollu-tants. State regulation has greatly reduced theamount of industrial and municipal pollution enter-ing the river, but the individual actions of citizenswho use the river can have the greatest impact onkeeping it clean. Here’s how you can help:
SANITARY DISCHARGESHuman waste is a significant public health con-
cern. The cities of Corvallis and Portland both havecombined storm and sanitary sewer systems. During
rainy periods, untreated munici-pal sewage can flow into the river.At these times, avoid direct con-tact with the water—especiallyswimming or skiing. Fish in theseareas should be thoroughlywashed before eating.
The use of Coast Guard-approved marine sanitationdevices aboard boats is required.Use pump-out facilities or pottydump stations to properly disposeof waste. Plan your trip to useupland public restrooms found atmost parks and many greenwayparcels along the river. At camp-sites where there areno toilets, humanwaste should be carriedout. If that is not possi-
ble, dig a hole at least 12 inches deep—well away from the river and above thehigh water line—to bury wastes. Do noturinate in or near the water; preferablyfind a wet sand area.
OIL AND FUEL SPILLSIt is illegal to discharge any fuel or oil
into any of Oregon’s public waters. Checkfuel tanks, hoses and valves before youuntrailer your boat or leave your moor-age. When refueling, shut off motors andelectrical equipment, and don’t smoke.Take extra precautions when fueling at
a dock. Take portable fuel tanks out of the boat andfill them on land. Wipe up any spills and discard thecloth in a safe manner.
HOUSEHOLD WASTESToxic materials can flow into the river when
soaps, solvents, motor oil, anti-freeze and otherhousehold chemicals wash off of roofs, drivewaysand yards into storm drains. Thousands of small“spills” such as these have a total impact muchgreater than all industrial pollution combined.
SEDIMENT EROSIONMotorboat wakes increase erosion of shorelines.
When traveling near the river’s banks, reduce yourspeed. Higher speeds—especially in shallowwaters—also can disturb bottom sediments whichsometimes contain trapped toxic materials that canbe released into the water column.
LITTERINGIt is against the law to litter in state waters.
Plastics are especially harmful. Items such as poly-styrene cups, plastic bags, bait packages and mono-filament line can kill birds, fish and marine mam-mals. When boating, camping or picnicking, pleasedo your part—pack out whatever you pack in, anddispose of it properly, including food wastes.
ADOPT-A-RIVERPROGRAM
Take a personal role inmaintaining the beauty of theWillamette River, or any river,lake or stream in Oregon.The Oregon Adopt-A-Riverprogram helps volunteersadopt and clean up theirfavorite stretch. The programis a cooperative effortbetween SOLV (Stop OregonLitter and Vandalism), theOregon State Marine Board,Oregon Parks and RecreationDepartment, and other stateand federal agencies.
HOW TO REPORTPOLLUTION
If you see pollutionbeing released in theriver or along itsshores, report it tothe Oregon Emer-gency Managementsystem at 1-800-452-0311. (Effluent com-ing from pipes isalready regulatedand need not bereported.) Any oil,fuel or other contam-inant leaking fromboats, docks, oildrums, industrialsites or other sourcesshould be reportedimmediately.
The Willamette River is considerably cleaner today than it was in the 1920s and 1930s, when thelower river was so poisonous that fish placed in it died within minutes. To deal with the problem, the State Sanitary Authority (now called the Department of Environmental Quality) was formed. By 1968, all major waste discharges were identified and controlled by state water quality permits.The river is now safe for swimming, boating, fishing and recreating.
Keeping Our River Clean
ABOVE: Sampling waterquality
LEFT: Riverbank cleanup
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EMERGENCYAll locations 9-1-1Oregon Emergency Management System
(pollution spills) 1-800-452-0311
TOWING SERVICES (PRIVATE)M.A.S.T. Towing (Ch. 13, 16) 1-503-297-8000
cell: 780-4949Pro Line Marina (Ch. 13, 16) 1-503-245-2329
cell: 309-3274Rocky Pointe Marina (Ch. 16) 1-503-543-7003Suzi and Son Marine Services 1-503-970-5493
SHERIFF’S MARINE PATROLSColumbia County Sheriff’s Office
(St. Helens) 1-503-397-2511Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
(Portland) 1-503-288-6788Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
(Oregon City) 1-503-655-8650Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office
(McMinnville) 1-503-472-9371Polk County Sheriff’s Office (Dallas) 1-503-623-9251Benton County Sheriff’s Office (Corvallis) 1-541-757-6858Lane County Sheriff’s Office (Eugene) 1-541-341-8599
CITY PARKS/BOAT RAMPSCity of St. Helens 1-503-397-5520City of Portland 1-503-823-2223City of Lake Oswego 1-503-636-9673City of West Linn 1-503-557-4700City of Gladstone 1-503-656-5225City of Oregon City 1-503-657-8299City of Hillsboro 1-503-681-6120City of Wilsonville 1-503-570-1522City of Salem Parks Operations Division 1-503-588-6336City of Independence 1-503-838-1212City of Albany 1-541-967-4321City of Corvallis 1-541-757-6918City of Harrisburg 1-541-995-6655City of Eugene 1-541-682-4809City of Eugene Outdoor Program/
River House 1-541-687-5329Willamalane Park District (Springfield) 1-541-726-4335
COUNTY PARKS/BOAT RAMPSColumbia County (St. Helens) 1-503-397-2353Port of St. Helens 1-503-397-2888Metro (Portland) 1-503-797-1850Multnomah County (see Metro)Port of Portland 1-503-731-7527North Clackamas Park District 1-503-794-8002Clackamas County (Oregon City) 1-503-650-3719Clackamas River Water (Clackamas) 1-503-656-0668Yamhill County (McMinnville) 1-503-434-7513
ext. 3601Marion County Public Works (Salem) 1-503-588-5036Polk County (Dallas) 1-503-623-8172Linn County (Albany) 1-541-967-3917Benton County (Corvallis) 1-541-757-6871Lane County (Eugene) 1-541-682-2000
FISHINGOregon Bass and Panfish Club (Portland) 1-503-282-2852Oregon Trout (Portland) 1-503-222-9091Northwest Steelheaders (Milwaukie) 1-503-653-4176Sport Fishing Information Line 1-800-ASK-FISHWillamette Falls Fish Count (Oregon City) 1-503-657-2059
MULTNOMAH COUNTY BRIDGESBridge operations and maintenance
(Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) 1-503-248-3757
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICEOregon River Forecast (recorded) 1-503-261-9246Portland Weather Bureau 1-503-326-2356
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Oregon Historical Society (Portland) 1-503-222-1741Nature Conservancy (Portland) 1-503-230-1221Oregon Wildlife Federation (Portland) 1-503-222-3731Audubon Society of Portland 1-503-292-6855Tualatin Riverkeepers 1-503-590-5813Cascade Canoe Club of Salem 1-503-361-7824Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club
(Corvallis) 1-541-753-3406Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club (Portland) 1-503-643-1153Pacific Rivers Council (Eugene) 1-541-345-0119River Network (Portland) 1-503-241-3506Willamette Valley Visitors Association 1-800-526-2256Willamette Riverkeeper (Portland) 1-503-223-6418Lower Columbia Canoe Club, Inc.
(Portland) 1-503-292-3132End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive
Center (Oregon City) 1-503-657-9336
OREGON STATE MARINE BOARDOSMB web site www.marinebd.osmb.state.or.usBoating information, classes,
boat registration (Salem) 1-503-378-8587Boating classes (Boat/U.S. Foundation) 1-800-336-BOATOregon Adopt-A-River (Statewide) 1-800-322-3326
OREGON PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENTCamping, reservations only (statewide) 1-800-452-5687Camping and recreation, information
only (statewide) 1-800-551-6949State Historic Preservation Office (Salem) 1-503-378-5001Willamette Greenway program (Salem) 1-503-378-4168
ext. 293Portland office 1-503-731-3293
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFEFish & wildlife report (recorded) 1-503-872-5263General information (Portland) 1-503-872-5268
U.S. COAST GUARDPortland (Swan Island) 1-503-240-9301Customer Infoline
(Boating Safety Hotline) 1-800-368-5647Search & Rescue, emergency (Portland) 1-503-240-9300
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERSWillamette Falls Locks 1-503-656-3381Information Center 1-503-808-5150
Resources“The rivers are our
brothers, they quenchour thirst. The riverscarry our canoes andfeed our children. Ifwe sell you our land,you must rememberand teach your child-ren that the rivers areour brothers andyours, and you musthenceforth give therivers the kindnessyou would owe anybrother.”
—Chief Seattle,Suquamish tribe
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NEWBERG
WEST LINN
LAKEOSWEGO
EUGENE
COTTAGEGROVE
CORVALLIS
ALBANY
SALEM
GLADSTONE
OREGON CITY
MILWAUKIE
PORTLAND
SCAPPOOSECreditsPublished by:
Oregon State Marine BoardOregon Parks and Recreation Department
With assistance from:Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeOregon State University Extension ServiceOregon Sea Grant Program
Written and researched by:Dean Smith & Associates
Designed and produced by:Grapheon Design+Type
Research assistance:Faith Ruffing/Sun Mountain
Reflections
Special thanks to:Benton County Sheriff’s
Marine PatrolClackamas County Sheriff’s
Marine PatrolLane County Sheriff’s
Marine PatrolMultnomah County Sheriff’s
Marine PatrolPolk County Sheriff’s Marine PatrolYamhill County Sheriff’s Marine PatrolOregon Department of
Environmental QualityOregon Department of Fish and WildlifeOregon Division of State LandsOregon State Historic Preservation OfficeOregon Tourism DivisionU.S. Army Corps of EngineersCity of Eugene Outdoor ProgramWillamalane Park DistrictNature ConservancyCG White Cartography
Illustrations:All illustrations by Kev Kohler
Photos:Cover: San Salvador Boat Ramp, ©1995, Matt GiraudInside front cover: John A. Kitzhaber,Governor’s OfficePage 1: Water Skiier, Oregon State Marine Board; Canoe Dog, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Jerry Robertson)Page 2: Brush Burning, NatureConservancy (Ed Alverson)Page 3: Lot Whitcomb, Oregon Historical Society #1639; John
McLoughlin, Oregon Historical Society #67763Page 4: Camas lily, Nature Conservancy; Raccoon,
Portland General Electric Co.Page 5: River Flowers, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department;Geese, Portland General Electric Co.Page 6: Safe Boaters, Oregon State Marine Board; Kayaker, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Jerry Robertson)Page 7: Patrol Boat, Dean SmithPage 8: Couple on Bikes, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department;Harrisburg, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Monte Turner)Page 9: Fly Fisherman, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department(Jerry Robertson); Hiking on Greenway, Oregon Parks and RecreationDepartment (Monte Turner)Page 10: Lowell Covered Bridge, Bill CockrellPage 11: Champoeg Fest, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department;Champoeg State Park, Oregon Parks and Recreation DepartmentPage 12: Cottage Grove Reservoir, Army Corps of Engineers; RiverShore, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Jerry Robertson)Page 16: River, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (JerryRobertson); Canoeing, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department(Monte Turner)Page 20: Aerial View of Willamette, Oregon Parks and RecreationDepartment; Willamette Mission State Park, Oregon Parks andRecreation Department (Jerry Robertson)Page 24: Willamette Falls, Oregon Tourism Division; Riverplace,Oregon State Marine BoardPage 28: Multnomah Channel, Dana E. Olsen; Bybee-Howell House,Oregon Tourism DivisionPage 31: Water Sampling, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; River Cleanup, Adopt-A-RiverPage 32: Child Fishing, U.S. Army Corps of EngineersInside back cover: 1876 Flood, Oregon Historical Society #38315;Oak Grove Beach, Oregon Historical Society #89602Back Cover: Morning Solitude, ©1993, Vern Uyetake
EM 8598
Extension Service, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Lyla Houglum, interim director. This publication was produced and distributed in fur-therance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extensionwork is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S.Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon StateUniversity Extension Service offers educational programs, activities,and materials—without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation,national origin, age, marital status, disability, and disabled veteran orVietnam-era veteran status—as required by Title VI of the Civil RightsAct of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, andSection 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Oregon State UniversityExtension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
250-422-9/98
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The Willamette River is a vital, multi-purposewaterway that touches the lives of millions of people along its banks and throughout the PacificNorthwest. An important historical and culturalresource, the Willamette today still abounds withgreat natural beauty, abundant wildlife and variedrecreational opportunities.
This guide is designed to make it easy to visitand experience the river—whether by boat, bicycle,motor vehicle or on foot. With detailed maps,historical and wildlife information, and suggestionsfor excursions, the guide is a valuable tool for any-one interested in enjoying this important 200-mileriver system and greenway.
A PUBLICATION OF:
September, 1998
Morning sculling on the river.
WILLAMETTE RIVER RECREATION GUIDE
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