wILLAMETTE RIVERKEEPER WEIGHS IN ON WAKEBOAT WASHOUTS, WILDFIRE, AND WATERWAY HAZARDS
Over the last several weeks there have been a series of incidents on the Willamette that serve as stark reminders of serious hazards that need to be addressed.
Wasabi Dragonboat Club pictured here on one of Willamette Riverkeeper’s cleanups in 2023.
In July, two dragon boats from the Wasabi Paddling Club were swamped and capsized by wake boats (boats specifically designed to create large waves). To make matters even worse, the incidents occurred in designated no wake zones. Put simply these boats do not belong on the Willamette. They create large, unnatural waves that otherwise would not occur on this kind of river. They put people at real risk and they destroy riparian habitat. We join with our friends at Wasabi in calling for strong enforcement, signage and educational outreach. The recreational activities of one user group must not be allowed to put other river uses, especially those in human powered watercraft as real risk.
Ross Island aerial taken prior to the recent fire.
During the same time period, a major fire broke out on Ross Island. Old tire piles and machinery left on the island by Ross Island Sand and Gravel Company caught fire, putting the island's valuable wildlife habitat at risk and enveloped significant portions of downtown Portland and SE Portland in thick, black, billowing smoke. It took more than 40 firefighters several hours to put out. Because the Portland Fire Department did not make a request to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, they did not deploy air monitors during the fire so there is no way to know what was released into the environment and Portland’s neighborhoods.
Willamette Riverkeeper is calling on Ross Island Sand and Gravel Company to resolve its outstanding legal issues related to the island, complete its legally mandated restoration obligations, and expeditiously transfer ownership of the four island complex to a public agency or non profit (Willamette Riverkeeper is willing to step up) that protect and restore the islands to their full potential and manage them in perpetuity. WRK requested the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to fully investigate this fire and are pleased to hear that they are doing so. WRK has also requested the CIty of Portland to have DEQ deploy air monitors anytime there is a significant industrial fire with potential for release of highly hazardous materials.
Millrace low head dam in Eugene Springfield where almost a dozen summer floaters have been caught up in strainers or dam remnants over recent summer months.
Finally, in the Springfield-Eugene upper Willamette river near the I-5 bridge, several major safety incidents have occurred, including one just from this past weekend, at the Millrace low head dam just upstream of the I5 Bridge. This structure consists of a series of deteriorating cement weirs spanning the river, pushing all traffic to far river right for safe passage, but virtually invisible until unsuspecting boaters or floaters are too close to it to course correct. Willamette Riverkeeper has been on the frontline of working together with District 4 Senator, Floyd Prozanski and local stakeholders, to identify and implement solutions, both immediate and long term, in an effort to mitigate safety risks for recreationists.
Stay tuned! Lots more to come on all of these issues as Willamette Riverkeeper continues to advocate alongside our constituents and stakeholders for safe river recreation and a healthy river.
