The Willamette River The Willamette River

A look at the RiverA look at the River http://www.willamette-http://www.willamette-

riverkeeper.org/theriverriverkeeper.org/theriver//

HistoricallyHistorically

Wild river. Wild river. Floods in winterFloods in winter 187miles on its main stem187miles on its main stem Great floods result in the river Great floods result in the river

changingchanging

Historically the valleyHistorically the valley

Valley open prairies Valley open prairies Oak and conifer woodlands Oak and conifer woodlands Native American peoples, Native American peoples,

CalapooiaCalapooia Euro American 150Euro American 150

The River TodayThe River Today Surrounded by agricultural land Surrounded by agricultural land Little riverside forestsLittle riverside forests Cities hug the banksCities hug the banks Industrial facilities Industrial facilities Source and dumpingSource and dumping Harnessed and modified by hydropower dams Harnessed and modified by hydropower dams

on the tributaries. on the tributaries. Pollution and habitat destruction have altered Pollution and habitat destruction have altered

the function and very healththe function and very health Still opportunities to regain some semblance of Still opportunities to regain some semblance of

the river's former health and vitality. the river's former health and vitality.

Physical CharacterPhysical Character

13th largest river in the United States13th largest river in the United States Valley receives between 40-50 inches of rain Valley receives between 40-50 inches of rain

a year.a year. Watershed of 11,500 square miles in area.Watershed of 11,500 square miles in area. Average flow of the river is some 32,000 Average flow of the river is some 32,000

cubic feet per second (cfs) where the river cubic feet per second (cfs) where the river flows into the Columbia.flows into the Columbia.

Flood in February of 1996, the flow was Flood in February of 1996, the flow was estimated to be some 460,000 cfs.estimated to be some 460,000 cfs.

Damming of the Damming of the WillametteWillamette

13 US Army Corps of Engineers, dams 13 US Army Corps of Engineers, dams on its tributaries.on its tributaries.

11 of which produce hydropower. 11 of which produce hydropower. Privately held dams Privately held dams These projects control over 27% of These projects control over 27% of

runoffrunoff These projects have a direct These projects have a direct

connection to the future health and connection to the future health and natural function of the Willamettenatural function of the Willamette

Wathershed & TributariesWathershed & Tributaries

Watershed & TributariesWatershed & Tributaries

Willamette River has multiple Willamette River has multiple tributaries. tributaries. – Middle ForkMiddle Fork Coast ForkCoast Fork– McKenzie, McKenzie, Santiam, Santiam, – Mary's, Mary's, Luckiamute, Luckiamute, – Yamhill, Yamhill, Molalla, Molalla, – Tualatin, Tualatin, ClackamasClackamas

The Impact of PeopleThe Impact of People

22% of the Willamette Basin agriculture22% of the Willamette Basin agriculture 70% forest.due to the mountainous parts70% forest.due to the mountainous parts 8% urban. 8% urban. 70% of all Oregonians live in the 70% of all Oregonians live in the

Willamette Basin. Willamette Basin. Man made north south - Interstate 5.Man made north south - Interstate 5.

CitiesCities

Greatest impact on the riverGreatest impact on the river Major cities hug the river Major cities hug the river Providing ample opportunity for Providing ample opportunity for

polluted runoff polluted runoff Habitat alterationHabitat alteration

Pollution 1Pollution 1

Pollution has come from industryPollution has come from industry Some from agricultureSome from agriculture Some from citiesSome from cities Some from other sources as wellSome from other sources as well 1960s progress made reducing 1960s progress made reducing

industrial wastes industrial wastes

Pollution 2Pollution 2

Non Point Source PollutionNon Point Source Pollution– Can not identify the source.Can not identify the source.

Point Source Pollution Point Source Pollution – Can put your finger on the pollution.Can put your finger on the pollution.

Governor Tom McCallGovernor Tom McCall

Reduced the raw industrial Reduced the raw industrial pollution pollution

Environmental law.Environmental law.

Current RiverCurrent River

River flows that are manipulated River flows that are manipulated by dams, to the detriment of by dams, to the detriment of native species. native species.

Habitat destruction on the main Habitat destruction on the main stem and tributaries that has stem and tributaries that has resulted in threatened species and resulted in threatened species and rising temperatures. rising temperatures.

Loss of channel diversityLoss of channel diversity

In the early days an intensive effort to In the early days an intensive effort to cut off natural back channels separated cut off natural back channels separated river habitat from the main river.river habitat from the main river.

90 miles of the river now has banks that 90 miles of the river now has banks that were hardened with rip rap.were hardened with rip rap.

Instead of multiple braided channels Instead of multiple braided channels that support local biodiversity, the river that support local biodiversity, the river is largely confined to one main channel is largely confined to one main channel in many areas. in many areas.

Current ProblemsCurrent Problems

Clean Water Act 303 (d) list for Clean Water Act 303 (d) list for violationsviolations– temperaturetemperature– bacteriabacteria– mercury standardsmercury standards

40 miles known as the Newberg Pool40 miles known as the Newberg Pool– high percentages of skeletal deformities. high percentages of skeletal deformities.

Current ProblemsCurrent Problems

A six mile stretch in Portland A six mile stretch in Portland – Federally designated Superfund Federally designated Superfund – toxic pollutiontoxic pollution– heavy metalsheavy metals– cleanup process a decade to complete. cleanup process a decade to complete.

Spring Chinook and steelhead, the Spring Chinook and steelhead, the Willamette's native salmonids, are Willamette's native salmonids, are listed as threatened under the Federal listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Endangered Species Act.

Current ProblemsCurrent Problems

Lamprey eel and white sturgeon found Lamprey eel and white sturgeon found to contain man made chemicals in to contain man made chemicals in their tissues. their tissues.

Fish consumption advisory for resident Fish consumption advisory for resident fish.fish.