Willamette
River
RecReation
Guide
FRONT AND BACK COVER PHOTOS:
Wallace Marine Park, Salem, Oregon
LEFT: Sunset over Willamette River near Salem
Bob Pool
t
The Willamette River is a vital
thread that weaves together the
tapestry of the Willamette Valley
and the 19 cities it flows through.
The Willamette provides impor-
tant irrigation for the agricultural
industry while supporting a variety of recreational
opportunities – from boating and water skiing to
fishing and nature viewing. You can expect to see
something different around every bend of the river,
from an osprey swooping in for lunch to a grace-
ful blue heron surveying the scenery; a deer on the
shoreline lapping up a drink of water to a beaver
swimming along the shore. The Willamette is also
home to a variety of fish including sturgeon, cut-
throat trout and salmon.
Not so visible is the importance of this beautiful river
in our state’s history. Early mills, ferries and numer-
ous towns clung to the river for power and trans-
portation. For centuries before the settlers arrived,
Native Americans relied on the river’s bounty as well.
I invite you to use this Willamette River Recreation
Guide to discover this great resource and to connect
with the richness it has to offer.
Governor’s
MESSAGE
iii
SECTION
V
SECTION
IV
p 30
p 27
p 26
NEWBERG
WEST LINN
LAKE
OSWEGO
EUGENE
COTTAGE
GROVE
CORVALLIS
ALBANY
SALEM
GLADSTONE
OREGON CITY
MILWAUKIE
PORTLAND
SCAPPOOSE
WILL A M E T TE R I V E R MAP PAGE
GUIDE
SECTION
III
SECTION
II
SECTION
I
p 29
p 25
p 23
p 22
p 21
p 19
p 18
p 17
p 15
p 14
p 13
Introduction
1
History of the Willamette
2-3
Plant and Animal Life
4-5
Willamette-area wildlife refuges
5
Keeping Our River Clean
6-7
Boating on the Willamette
8-9
River characteristics and hazards
Navigation aids
Excursions and Outings
10-11
River mileage and float times
Popular Destinations
12-13
Suggested fishing areas
Guide to Oregon State Parks
Festivals and events
River Guide and Maps
14-32
I
Middle and Coast Forks
14-17
II
Springfield to Albany
18-21
III
Albany to St. Paul/Newberg
22-25
IV
Newberg to Portland
26-29
V
Multnomah Channel
30-32
Resources
34
Index
35
PHOTO CREDITS
Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB)
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD)
Willametter Riverkeeper (WR)
Oregon Historical Society (OHS)
Front and back cover photos: Larry Andreasen
Contents
To learn more about boating in Oregon go to:
www.boatoregon.com
For detailed information on state parks in Oregon go to:
www.oregonstateparks.org
December 2007
1
Introduction
t
1
PUBLIC USES AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
A great many pastimes can be enjoyed on the Willamette. These in clude boating,
camp ing, picnicking, swim ming, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, fishing, and
hunting. There are ten state parks, three public ferries, and more than 170 Oregon State
Willamette River Green way parcels, city and county parks, boat ramps, and Division of
State Lands parcels along the river and its major tributaries. The river provides habitat
for hundreds of types of plants and many species of birds, fish, and animals.
A VAST RIVER SYSTEM
The Willamette River drains 12,000 square miles of land at an average rate of flow that
would fill 175 buildings the size of Portland’s tallest skyscraper every day.
ABOUT THE WILLAMETTE
The Willamette is a vital, multi-purpose waterway that touches the lives of millions of
people. It provides ports for commercial barges and oceangoing ships, irrigation for
crops sold worldwide, an abundant fishery, and recreational opportunities.
Nearly 70 percent of Oregonians live within 20 miles of the Willamette River, and
some may not even realize it. Although the river passes through nine counties and 19
cities, miles of its channels and backwaters cannot be seen from roads or towns. With
many communities no longer economically dependent on it, the Willamette can be
overlooked – so familiar a part of our landscape that it fades into the background.
Whether you’re a veteran or a rookie on the Willamette, it is important to respect its
waters. Although considerably tamer than the way explorers found it 200 years ago,
the Willamette still changes with each season and even with the daily tides. Never dis-
regard its power or dismiss its hazards.
HOW TO USE THE GUIDE
This guide is designed to make it easy to visit and safely experience the river, whether
by boat, bicycle, motor vehicle or on foot. It begins with the Willamette’s history,
remembering the river’s role in early settlement through modern times. With illustra-
tions of diverse species, the wildlife section celebrates the abundance and beauty of the
river’s plants and animals. Next, the clean river section outlines sanitation concerns,
waste issues and innovative programs like Clean Marina. The boating section offers
safety tips and information about the rules and hazards of navigation. Finally, the
guide highlights suggestions for planning a trip and the destinations which are best
suited for boating, biking, hiking, fishing, or hunting.
The remainder of the guide provides detailed maps for each section of the Willamette.
They include: state and local parks, state greenway and Division of State Land parcels,
boat ramps, marinas, wildlife areas, public roads that lead to parcels or parks, and
other points of interest. Finally, there is a list of contact information for additional
resources. We hope this publication informs you and encourages you to enjoy the
many facets of the Willamette.
ABOVE: Canoeing on the Willamette
BELOW: Wakeboarding on the Willamette
OSMB
OSMB
The Willamette River begins
its nearly 300-mile journey in
the high Cascades southeast of
Eugene. Winding through forest,
farmland and city, it travels
northward the length of the
Willamette 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.
Contents
www.boatoregon.com
2
HISTORY
For Oregonians, the “Beautiful Willamette” is more than just a lovely river. It is a key part of our col-
orful history, a vital economic resource, and a place to recreate or relax – to enjoy the many virtues
Oregon has to offer.
The Willamette is one of the few major rivers in the U.S. that flows primarily north. So narrow and
shallow in places that pioneers felled trees for bridges, it also widens to more than 2,000 feet across
in Portland. Originally, the river meandered in a wide 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 control projects have altered the flow patterns to create a
simpler, deeper channel.
NATIVE AMERICANS
There is evidence of human presence in the Willamette Valley as long as 10,000 years ago, several
thousand years after the close of the Ice Age, when Asiatics from what is now Siberia crossed over an
Alaskan land bridge into North America.
Most of the Willamette Valley Native American inhabitants were Kalapuyans – a collection of
bands that shared the same dialect. They included the Calapooia, Tualatin, Santiam, Yamhill, and
Luckiamute bands. Although these native bands in the valley subsisted mostly on nuts, berries and
roots, they also were good hunters – using the snare and trap as effectively as the bow and arrow.
A smallpox epidemic in 1782-83, followed by a malaria epidemic from 1830-33, wiped out 80 percent
of the native people. By 1856, surviving members of the various bands were resettled under treaty onto
the Grand Ronde reservation near Valley Junction.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
The Willamette River was first noted in 1792 by English navigator Lt. William R. Broughton, a member
of Capt. George Vancouver’s expedition. Then in 1806, explorers Lewis and Clark ventured upriver
for about seven miles on behalf of the United States. The first Euro-Americans were the fur trappers,
mostly working for the Hudson’s Bay Company at Ft. Vancouver. They were followed by the mission-
aries, who tried mightily to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Finally, there came the settlers,
mostly farmers, who crossed the Oregon Trail. 53,000 of them reached the valleys of Oregon between
1840 and 1860.
BRUSH BURNING
A common Native American practice was to burn
preserves in the Willamette Valley each fall. This
created and main tain ed the oak and grass land
savanna that favored elk and deer as well as camas,
tar weed, and acorn habitat—important foods for
the native population. The cleared land helped in
the gather ing of seeds, roots, and bulbs, as well as
creat ing exposed areas for easier hunting. The brush
burning also created major areas of open prairie
that attracted Euro-American settlers because the land was
already cleared.
BEAUTIFUL WILLAMETTE
From 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
EARLY TRADERS
The first large vessel to
enter the Willamette was
the “Owyhee,” a Boston
trading ship that sailed to
within a mile of Willamette
Falls in 1829—the same
year Hudson’s Bay Com-
pany established an
outpost at Oregon City.
Mission Mill
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.
OF THE WILLAMETTE
History
f
OSMB
www.oregonstateparks.org
3
FIRST OREGONBUILT STEAMER
On Christmas Day 1850, the 160-foot
steamboat “Lot Whitcomb,” left, was
launched at the Milwaukie basin. The first
steamboat built in Oregon, its side wheels
measured 18 feet in diameter. By 1878, some
52 side wheel and sternwheel steam ers had
been built along the Willamette, most of them
at Canemah just above Willamette Falls. In
1854, at Canemah, the boilers on the steamer
“Gazelle” exploded, killing 24 people.
1861 FLOOD
The devastating 1861 flood wiped out scores
of communities and landings, “sucking and
sweeping everything into its path,” accord ing
to one account. Historic Champoeg was among
the casualties, inundated by more than 20 feet
of water.
Oregon City became the first city
incorporated west of the Rockies
in 1844. It was established by Dr.
John McLoughlin, chief factor for
the Hudson’s Bay Company, who is
considered the “Father of Oregon.”
Along with Linnton, St. Johns,
Portland, Milwaukie, and Linn
City (now West Linn), Oregon City
competed fiercely for dominance.
However, Portland became the even-
tual winner, and the river itself helped
settle the issue. A major flood in 1861
wiped out many promising settlements – such as Linn City and
Champoeg – as well as their prospects.
By the 1830s, settlement had gained a solid foothold above the
falls. Many retired French-Canadians, who had worked for
Hudson’s Bay Company, settled around Champoeg and St. Paul in
what became known as French Prairie. Their wheat and produce
needed markets, and with the 1849 California gold rush came the
need for a reliable system of river commerce.
STEAMBOAT ERA
From 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 Willamette Falls. Occasionally, boats made it as far upriver
as Eugene. Smaller steamboats even ventured up the Tualatin,
Yamhill and Long Tom – small tributaries of the Willamette.
In 1873, the Willamette Falls Canal & Locks Company opened a
1,200-foot-long series of locks that lifted boats around the 41-
foot-high falls at Oregon City. The locks hastened the growth
and development of Oregon’s fertile interior. At their peak in the
1880s, dozens of steamboats – their whistles sure to draw a crowd
to the dock – moved tons of cargo and passenger traffic along the
state’s vital artery of commerce.
RAILS AND ROADS: THE
TRANSFORMATION
By the 1880s, railroads had penetrated the Willamette Valley.
River communities that were once thriving trade centers, such as
Lincoln and Fairfield, were now bypassed. In 1883, the transcon-
tinental railroad arrived in Portland, solidifying the iron link that
would siphon away much of the steamboat trade.
ABOVE: “Father of Oregon” John
McLoughlin
LEFT: Sidewheeler “Lot Whitcomb”
OHS #1639
OHS #67763
The arrival of roads and gasoline-powered vehicles completed the
transition away from riverboat trade. By the early 1900s, it was pos-
sible to maneuver a vehicle the full length of the valley, and in 1919
the state published its first official road map. Truck and rail transpor-
tation soon dominated shipping in the valley. The steamboat whistle
was silenced.
OUR FORGOTTEN RIVER
Perhaps the most discouraging period in the river’s history was
the early 1900s, when the Willamette became heavily polluted and
neglected. With the decline of river commerce, wharves and docks
were torn down. In some cities, roads or freeways replaced them. In
others, new industries located along the river.
These industries began dumping their wastes directly into the river.
Cities and towns soon did the same. By the 1930s, the river was almost
biologically dead – and certainly unsafe for swimming. This condition
persisted until after World War II, when federally funded sewage treat-
ment facilities and other pollution controls began to restore the river.
Helping with this turn-about was Oregon’s Willamette River Greenway
program. It was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1967 as a testa-
ment to the river’s historic and natural resource significance and its
recreational potential. The greenway program is a cooperative state
and local government effort to enhance and maintain the scenic, rec-
reational, historic, natural and agricultural qualities of the river and its
adjacent lands.
By the early 1970s, the cleanup of the Willamette was a national suc-
cess story. The river was declared safe for swimming in 1972, five years
after the greenway program was initiated. These efforts not only made
it possible for salmon and steelhead runs to rebound, they again made
the river attractive for boating, angling and other recreation. Then in
1998, the Willamette was named an American Heritage River – a fed-
eral designation to assist in restoring and protecting the river.
THE MODERN WILLAMETTE
Today’s river bustles with activity. Commercial tugs and barges navigate
the locks to move chips, logs, sand, gravel, and other products to market.
Huge freighters and oceangoing barges move tons of cargo through the
Port of Portland and private docks in the Portland harbor.
Recreation is now the fastest-growing use of the river. Pleasure boat-
ing, skiing and angling are increasing. Portland, Lake Oswego, Salem,
Albany, Corvallis, Harrisburg, Eugene, and Springfield are among the
cities and towns that have greatly increased parklands and public access
along the Willamette. The people are reclaiming their river.
www.boatoregon.com
4
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
Oregon’s Watchable Wildlife, a
pamphlet of the Oregon Depart ment
of Fish & Wildlife, provides good infor-
mation about where to go to enjoy
animal life.
CANADA
GEESE
The Willamette
runs down the
center of the
Pacific migratory flyway. Canada geese
begin showing up along the Willamette
in mid-October, in cluding the rare dusky
Canada goose for whose protection
the national wildlife refuges in the
Willamette Valley were originally created.
WHITE STURGEON
The largest fish in the Willamette is the
white sturgeon, grow ing to more than 8
feet in length. These giants are fished
mostly in the lower river. Popular spots
are below the falls in Oregon City,
and near Sellwood Riverfront Park,
the Steel Bridge, and the Rivergate
industrial district in Portland. Upriver,
the mouth of the Long Tom is one of
the better-known holes.
The largest black
cottonwood in the
United States survives in
Willamette Mission State
Park— a 250-year-old
giant measuring more
than 26 feet around and
155 feet in height.
ABOVE: Camas lily
RIGHT: Baby raccoon
LIFE
Plant and Animal
t
The variety of wildlife makes the Willamette a favorite location for nature viewing, fishing and
hunting. These recreational opportunities are enhanced by having public land and wildlife ref-
uges near the river. Care should always be taken to minimize human impact on this habitat and
ensure the preservation of its natural beauty. Many migratory birds, for instance, are protected
by state and federal law. In addition, some plant and animal species are listed as threatened or
endangered. In particular, nesting areas should not be disturbed.
Any destruction of protected habitat, violation of fishing or hunting regulations, or any
other threat to protected species should be reported to the Oregon Department of Fish &
Wildlife (ODFW).
BIRDS
One of the most visible birds along the Willamette is
the great blue heron. Nesting areas, called rookeries,
are found in several locations, including: Ross Island,
Oaks Bottom, Goat Island, Molalla River State Park,
Luckiamute Landing, and Alton Baker Park in Eugene.
Six state and national wildlife refuges are located along
or near the river (see map and refuge guide on page
5), representing 24,000 acres of important winter
habitat for geese, ducks and swans. Below are some
other species you may spot in the trees and meadows
or along the river.
FISH
Chinook
The spring chinook run is the Willamette’s dominant run of anadromous fish (species that
spawn in fresh water after growing to adult size in the ocean). This run now contributes
substantially to the Columbia River commercial and sport fisheries, and also supports a choice
fishery 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. In case you miss the spring run, a smaller fall Chinook run occurs in mid-August to
late September.
OPRD
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.
www.oregonstateparks.org
5
WILDLIFE
VIEWING AREAS
There are many areas to enjoy the
Willamette River’s abundant wild life.
They include:
Burlington Bottom
A 428-acre area north of the Sauvie
Island bridge along the west side of
Multnomah Channel, set aside to benefit
winter ing water fowl and associ ated
wetland wildlife.
Oaks Bottom
160-acre preserve has a great
diversity of water features and
plant com munities. Heavily used
by heron, water fowl, and smaller
birds. Trailhead is at SE 7th Ave. and
Sellwood Blvd. in Portland.
Luckiamute Landing
A good boat camping spot and
Willamette Greenway parcel op po site
the mouth of the Santiam River. Excel lent
area for viewing rem nants of the gallery
forests that used to line the Willamette.
Ospreys, turkey vultures and herons
frequent the area.
Middle Fork
Osprey, red-tailed hawks and bald eagles
grace the skies. At Dexter Dam, watch adult
chinook salmon in fish ladder and holding
ponds from May-October.
Steelhead
Steelhead enter the river in summer
and winter. The summer-run steel-
head pass the falls from early March
until October, while the winter-run
steelhead pass the falls in early
November to mid-May.
Other Game Fish
Bass and panfish are found in many areas of the Willamette River,
especially where the water slows or intersects with sloughs and inlets.
Walleye are occasionally found downstream of Willamette Falls.
ANIMALS
Common mammals are black-tailed
deer, raccoon and otter. Oregon’s
state animal is the beaver, chosen for
its admirable qualities of intelligence,
industry and ingenuity.
The river corridor features a variety
of reptiles and amphibians, including
garter snakes, long-toed salamanders, rough-skinned newts and tree
frogs. The rare western pond turtle and painted turtle only remain in a
few sloughs and oxbow lakes.
VEGETATION
Forests and Trees
The Willamette Valley contains a rich array of plant life. Early explorers
found the river lined for up to two miles on each side with dense forests,
featuring a variety of trees. Nearly all of it has been replaced by agri-
culture, gravel mining and urbanization. Forest remnants are located at
Luckiamute Landing, Grand Island, and Scappoose Bay Landing.
Lowlands and Wetlands
The river’s riparian and low wet areas along the river’s shorelines are
abundant with lush growth. Composed of trees, shrubs, grasses, wild-
flowers, and other herbaceous plants, these areas sustain the health of
the river and support its wildlife. The vegetation filters and purifies water
as it moves into and along the river, while large plant communities pro-
vide homes for animals and insects along the river. Such communities
can be found on Sauvie Island, Oaks Bottom, Cardiani Bar near Yamhill
Landing, Wells Island, and the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum near Springfield.
Sauvie Island Wildlife Management
Area
Take Highway 30 to Sauvie Island bridge,
proceed toward north end of Sauvie Island.
Refuge is off Reeder Road.
12,000 acres of state-owned habitat for
wintering waterfowl, swans, herons, sand hill
cranes, bald eagles, and 250 other species.
Access restricted during the hunt ing season
and spring. Fishing allowed.
Tualatin River National Wildlife
Refuge
Located along the Tualatin River east of
Sherwood, about 12 miles upriver from its con-
flu ence with the Willamette.
Newest national wildlife refuge in Oregon.
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
From Rickreall (6 miles west of Salem), go west on Highway 22. Refuge is
about 2 miles on the right.
The 2,492-acre area features migratory waterfowl. By mid-November,
large number of Canada geese, tundra swans, ducks and white swans
are present. The area now encompasses over 1,000 acres and may reach
over 3,000 when acquisitions are complete. Public access limited Oct. 1
to April 15.
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
Exit I-5 10 miles south of Salem at the Ankeny Hill exit. Follow Wintel Road
west (toward Sidney) about 2 miles to refuge boundary.
2,800 acres of floodplains that support large populations of wintering
Canada geese and ducks. Two loop trails. Hunting not allowed. Public
access limited Oct. 1 to April 1st.
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area
Between Highway 99W and the river, 10 miles north of Corvallis at for mer
Camp Adair Army post.
State preserve features upland game birds, water fowl, bald eagles, deer,
and other species. Hunting permitted in fall and winter. Walk or bike on
many miles of old military roads.
William J. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Drive south from Corvallis on Highway 99W about 10 miles to entrance
sign on west side of road. Turn west and follow signs about 4 miles to
refuge office.
5,235-acre refuge supports large con centrations of Canada geese,
including rare dusky Canada geese. Over 200 species of wildlife and
numerous obser vation sites. Limited deer hunting opportunity. Public
access limited Nov. 1 to April 1st.
FINLEY
ANKENY
EE
WILSON
BASKETT
SLOUGH
TUALATIN
PORTLAND
NEWBERG
ALBANY
SALEM
CORVALLIS
SAUVIE ISLAND
5
99
W
LEFT: Along the Willamette Greenway
OPRD
WILDLIFE REFUGES
ALONG THE WILLAMETTE
5
www.boatoregon.com
OSMB
6
CLEAN
Keeping Our River
t
WHAT IS THE OREGON CLEAN MARINA PROGRAM?
The Oregon Clean Marina program recognizes marinas that go above and
beyond environmental regulations by designating them as “Clean Marinas”.
The program provides information to marina managers on how to pro-
tect against the release of polluting materials – such as oil, paint, cleaning
chemicals, sewage, fish waste, and trash – into the environment.
The goal is to help protect and improve local water quality by promoting the
usage of environmentally responsible practices.
WHO CAN BECOME CERTIFIED?
Marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs and floating home moorages with ten slips or more can become
certified.
BOAT WASTE COLLECTION FACILITIES
Please help keep sewage out of Oregon’s waterways. The Marine Board has participated in the
Clean Vessel Act program since 1993, providing grant funds to build pumpouts, dump stations
and floating restrooms on the most heavily used waterways statewide. To encourage the use of
these facilities, no fees are charged.
The Clean Vessel Act program is administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a
national competitive basis. Please follow these simple practices:
◆
Use shore-side restroom facilities before casting off.
◆
Use pumpouts, dump stations and floating restrooms. Dumping
any untreated sewage into inland lakes, rivers or coastal waters
inside the three-mile limit is a Class B felony.
◆
Be a clean boating steward. Pass along information on pumpouts and dump stations.
Notify the owners of malfunctioning equipment and encourage marina operators to install
a pumpout and/or dump station through the Clean Vessel Act Grant program managed by
the Marine Board.
NUISANCE SPECIES
Many non-native nuisance species are threatening Oregon’s waterways with the potential to
alter ecosystems and damage fisheries. Zebra mussels, mitten crabs and hydrilla are only a few.
Here’s what you can do:
◆
Inspect your boat and trailer. Remove any plants and animals you see before leaving the
waterbody.
◆
Drain your motor, live well and bilge on land before leaving the waterbody.
◆
Empty your bait bucket away from the water. Never release live bait into a waterbody or
move aquatic animals from one waterbody to another.
◆
Rinse your boat, trailer and equipment. Home pressure washers or those found at self-
service car washes are excellent. Air-dry your boat and equipment for as long as possible
– five days is optimal.
www.oregonstateparks.org
ABOVE: Pump out station
OSMB
OSMB
7
REDUCE YOUR MOTOR’S EMISSIONS
Newer technology engines are at least 75% cleaner than carbureted two-stroke models. They produce fewer
hydrocarbon emissions, which creates cleaner air and water. Look for the EPA sticker to ensure any engine you
buy is efficient. Because these engines are 30-70% more fuel efficient than carbureted outboards, you’ll save
money in the long-term, too.
MARINE FUELING PRACTICES
Gas or diesel may spill while you are fueling your boat. Fuel spills harm aquatic life, waste money, can stain the
hull, and damage your boat’s gel coat and striping. Follow these tips to avoid problems:
◆
Fill tanks to no more than 90% full – gas that is drawn from cool storage tanks will expand as it warms and overflow the tank.
◆
To see when your tank is 90% full, listen to the filler pipe, use a sounding stick, and be aware of your tank’s volume.
◆
Instead of filling up when you return to port, wait and fill up before you leave on your next trip.
◆
Fill portable tanks ashore, where spills are less likely and easier to clean.
◆
Use oil absorbent pads to catch all drips.
◆
Slow pump down at the beginning and end of fueling.
BILGE MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES
Engine oil tends to accumulate in bilges. If precautions aren’t taken, you may inadvertently pump waste oil overboard along with the
bilge water. To protect water quality, follow these tips:
◆
Keep your engine well tuned to minimize the amount of oil that is released. Be sure there are no leaking seals, gaskets or hoses.
◆
If you change your own oil, purchase a non-spill pump to draw crankcase oils out through the dipstick tube and slip a plastic
bag over used oil filters prior to their removal to capture any drips. Recycle the collected oil.
◆
Place oil absorbent materials or a bioremediating bilge boom in the bilge and put an oil absorbent pad under the engine.
These pads need to be replaced regularly.
◆
Do not treat oily water with detergents. Soaps pollute and make cleanup difficult.
IN CASE OF A SPILL
◆
Stop the flow.
◆
Contain the spill.
◆
Call 1-800-OILS-911 and the U.S. Coast Guard at 1-800-424-8802
BOAT MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING
◆
When washing your boat’s deck and hull, avoid using products that
contain chlorine, phosphates and ammonia.
◆
Rinse your boat only with fresh water after each use.
◆
When cleansers are needed, use old-fashioned ingredients such as:
• Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, borax and “elbow grease”
◆
Alternative products are available that are phosphate-free or biodegradable.
www.boatoregon.com
POLLUTION ALERTS
The City of Portland posts alerts along
the river whenever its com bined sewer
and storm drains overflow into the river.
For infor mation, call the River Alert Info
Line, 503-823-2479.
“PLEASE PUMP, DON’T DUMP”
It is illegal to discharge any untreated
sewage overboard from marine toilets
into the river.
HOW TO REPORT POLLUTION
If you see pollution being released in the
river or along its shores, report it to the
Oregon Emer gency Management system
at 1-800-452-0311. Effluent coming from
pipes is already regulated and need not
be reported. Any oil, fuel or other con-
taminant leaking from boats, docks, oil
drums, industrial sites or other sources
should be reported immediately.
USE GOOD OUTDOOR
ETHICS
In addition to handling human
waste properly, observe good
ethics at camping and picnick ing
spots. Only use dead and down
drift wood for campfires. Use
firepans at all fires, and cover fire
pits at undeveloped sites after use.
Better yet—use camp stoves for
cooking.
ADOPTARIVER
This program provides free
garbage bags, buttons, window
decals, how-to hand book and
resource guide. Call 800-322-
3326 for information.
TAKE THE PLUNGE!
ADOPT A RIVER!
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8
b
BOATING
Boating activity on the Willamette includes ski boats and runabouts, yachts, sailcraft, rowing
shells and skulls, canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, jet boats, and personal watercraft (such as jet
skis). With so much potential traffic on the water, it is important to know the rules of navigation
and to be familiar with the area where you are boating.
The Oregon Boater’s Handbook & Regulations – published by the Oregon State Marine Board
and updated yearly – contains a digest of all regulations and restrictions. In addition, there are
a variety of publications available from the Oregon State Marine Board, boat dealers and fishing
supply outlets.
BOATER’S EDUCATION CARDS
◆
Mandatory education is being phased in based on boat operator age and applies to all boaters
operating powerboats over 10 hp.
◆
Youth must be 12 or older to operate any size powerboat and must have a
boater education card.
◆
Call the Marine Board at (503) 378-8587 or check the website at www.
boatoregon.com for current class listings or for more details on the
Mandatory Boater Education Program.
BOATERS’ CHECKLIST
Powerboaters and sail boaters must have on
board at all times:
• WearableU.S.CoastGuard-approvedlife
jackets for each person on board
• Approved,fullychargedfireextinguishers
• Bellorwhistle(asrequired)
• Athrowablecushionforboatsover16ft
RECOMMENDED LIST
• Paddlesoroars
• Anchor
• Toolkit,spareparts,andflashlight
• Extrafood,water,andsurvivalequipment
for trips longer than one day
• Firstaidkit
• Compass,fenders,line,bucket,bilgepump,
two-way radio or mobile telephone
Those using canoes, kayaks, and rafts should have
rescue throw bags, helmets, flash lights, first aid
kits, and extra clothing. Be sure to bring water proof
containers.
Life jacket law
All boats—in clud ing all canoes, kayaks, and
inflatables must carry a wearable life jacket for
each person on board. Children 12 and younger
must wear life
jackets when
on boats that
are underway.
ABOVE: Kayaking near Armitage Park
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The Willamette is one of
Oregon’s most popular
waterways for boating. In
2005, approxi mate ly 387,000
boat use days were logged—
most of that on the lower
18 miles of the river within
Multnomah County.
Boating
ON THE WILLAMETTE
www.oregonstateparks.org
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9
BOAT SAFETY TIPS
◆ Check your boat and equipment prior to use, especially fuel systems,
lights, horns, motors, and trailers. Be alert for leaks as well.
◆ Check weather conditions.
◆File a float plan with a friend or neighbor if your trip will be for more
than a day or in whitewater areas.
◆ Avoid or limit alcohol consumption – most fatal boating accidents
involve alcohol.
◆ Educate passengers on operational and emergency procedures and
don’t overload your boat. It greatly increases the risk of capsizing.
◆ Bring life jackets – each person must have a properly fitted life jacket.
Children and non-swimmers should wear a PFD at all times.
◆ Ski, tube or tow only between sunrise and sunset. You must have an
observer with a red or orange “skier down” flag.
◆ Know how to read buoys and markers – many stretches have in-water
hazard signs to identify dangers. It’s important to know what they
mean.
◆Be Aware Of:
• Largecommercialvessels – avoid anchoring in the commercial
shipping channel.
• Goodboatingetiquette – observe Slow-No Wake zones and
navigational rules.
• Swimmers,skiersandothers – keep a sharp eye out for all traffic.
Don’t follow boats or skiers too closely. Don’t shift direction
suddenly.
◆Don’t boat alone – especially on whitewater stretches.
◆Avoid boating after dark – be sure to use proper lights if you do.
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
◆Natural hazards
• Changing currents, whitewater stretches, shallows, strainers, etc.
◆River traffic
• Boats, PWCs, swimmers, skiers, anglers
◆Weather
• Wind, precipitation, fog, sun glare, lightning
• Cold water – hypothermia
The chart to the right describes the general character and types of
hazards you may encounter on each
river section.
Middle and Coast Forks
(Dexter, Cottage Grove dams to River Mile 185)
Swift water with many small rapids, rocks, shallow areas, and potentially dangerous
side channels. Watch for fallen trees, limbs, and debris. Stretch above Jasper advised for
experienced boaters only; scout river before you launch. Beware of dangerous I-5 rapids
at Springfield. Coast Fork may be non-navigable during summer low-water periods.
BOATING OPTIONS: Drift or float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks, rafts. Jet-boats are
allowed in most areas.
Springfield to Albany
(River Mile 185 to River Mile 118)
Fast water and four significant rapids through Eugene section; advisable only for
experienced boaters. Below Eugene, current remains fast, river channel changes
regularly and there are frequent shallows. Beware of trees, other in-water hazards and
non-navigable side channels. Current slows downstream from Corvallis.
BOATING OPTIONS: Drift or float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks, or rafts. Jet-boats are
allowed in all areas except Eugene area and shallow channels, sloughs. Small propeller-
driven boats are allowed in Albany area. Watch for crew shells near Corvallis. Skiing is
allowed in certain areas downriver from Corvallis, but local knowledge is important to
avoid shallow stretches.
Albany to St. Paul/Newberg
(River Mile 118 to River 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 allowed in all areas except shallow chan nels and sloughs.
Propeller-driven craft and waterskiing are acceptable near Newberg, Salem, and Albany,
but local knowledge is important to avoid shallow stretches.
Newberg to Portland
(River Mile 50 to River Mile 0)
Slow current but many rocky shoals upriver from Portland. Maps show locations
of major problem areas, but not all. Beware of Willamette Falls above 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 ships frequent Portland harbor. Don't anchor in shipping channel.
Observe buoys, channel markers and Slow–No Wake zones near floating homes and
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 are allowed in localized areas away from congestion.
Multnomah Channel
(River Mile 21.5M to 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 congested area. Canoes
and kayaks more suitable for Gilbert River and Sturgeon Lake areas on Sauvie Island.
NAVIGATION AIDS
It is important to know how to read waterway
markers:
Boats Keep Out
Special expla na tions may be printed on side
of marker
Danger
The nature of the danger may be indicated
Controlled Area
Type of control is indicated
Information
For displaying official information such as
directions, distances, location
Left of Channel
Green buoy marks left side of channel when
proceeding upstream
Right of Channel
Red buoy marks right side of channel when
proceeding upstream
ABOVE: Polk county deputy & patrol boat
RIVER CHARACTERISTICS
AND HAZARDS
9
www.boatoregon.com
1010
WILLAMETTE RIVER
GREENWAY PROGRAM
The Willamette River Greenway
program is administered by the
Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department(OPRD),whichhas
acquired many parcels along the
river. OPRD provides recrea tional
opportunities on State Park and green way
lands while en cour ag ing appropriate land use
and natural re source stewardship on adjoin ing
privately owned lands. Signs along the river de-
note specific Willamette River Green way parcels
that are available for public use.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
The Oregon State Marine
Board contracts with county
sheriffs’ depart ments to
patrol the entire river. In
case of an emergency, dial
9-1-1.
RIGHT: Aerial view of
Willamette River
PLANNING AN OUTING
Travel Time and Stops
• MostdestinationsalongtheWillametteare
only an hour or two apart by car, so outings
can easily be day trips.
• It’sagoodideatoplannomorethantwoor
three prime stopping points, including lunch.
How to Organize a Trip
• Tripscanbeplannedaroundstateandlocal
parks, wildlife refuges, cities and towns, or
historic sites.
• Tripscanalsobeplannedaroundthemessuch
as history, ferries or a community festival.
Maps
• Showallpubliclandalongtheriverandmajor
historical, cultural and natural points of
interest.
• Indicateconnectingroads,servicesprovidedat
parks, waysides, access points, and marinas.
• Containabriefsummaryofsignificantknown
hazards and their general location, signified by
(NH).
• Cannotrepresentallhazards,andlisted
hazards may have changed. Please seek local
guides and official navigation charts for the
most current information.
• Knownseasonalhazardsandwaterlevelsare
posted online at www.boatoregon.com.
OPRD
The Willamette River
offers many options for
recreational outings.
These include boating,
water skiing, fishing,
hunting, birdwatching,
hiking, bicycling, or just a
pleasant cruise. Many can
be done in a day. Consult
the maps in this guide for
more information.
Excursions and
t
OUTINGS
DESTINATIONS
Camping
• Ofthestateparks,onlyChampoeghasovernight
vehicular camping.
• Boatercampingisallowedatseverallocalparks
and state greenway parcels (as indicated on
the maps).
• Firesshouldbeconfinedtofireringson
greenway or state park sites.
• Itiswisetoreserveasiteaheadoftimeforboth
state and local parks.
Wildlife Observation
• Therearestateandnationalwildlifeareas(see
table on page 5) and special preserves such as
Oaks Bottom in Portland.
• Areasaccessibletoboaters:
o Harkens Lake Landing
o The mouths of the Luckiamute
o Santiam and McKenzie rivers
o Middle Fork
Historic Sites
• Abandonedtownsorlandingsthataredifficultto
locate include:
o Fairview
o Linn City
o Canemah
www.oregonstateparks.org
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11
RIVER MILEAGE
AND FLOAT TIMES*
• Easilyaccessiblesitesinclude:
o The Bybee-Howell House on Sauvie Island
o Portland’s Historic Yamhill and Old Town
districts
o Oregon City and the Willamette Falls Locks
o Butteville
o Champoeg
o Buena Vista Ferry
o The lost town of Orleans east of Corvallis
RIVER OUTINGS
General Reminders
• Boatlaunchesareshownonthemaps.
• Itisalwaysagoodideatobringwater,food
and sunblock.
• Fatigue,sun,windandalcoholcanaffectyour
judgment on the water.
• Limitoravoidalcoholconsumption.
Accessibility
• ByRoad–parcelsaccessiblebyvehicleare
signed at public roads.
• ByRiver–parcelsaccessiblebyboathave
river milepost signs.
Float Trips
• AboveCorvallis–commontohaveaswift
current.
• BelowNewberg–currentisveryleisurely.
• TherearefewwhitewaterhazardsEXCEPT
in the upper forks and Eugene-Springfield
area.
• Thecharttotherightoffersestimatesforfloat
times. These estimates vary depending on
the type of boat, ability of paddlers, weather,
and water velocity.
11
USING THE MAPS
Care has been taken to make all river maps faithful
totheriveralignment(basedon1993aerial
photography),butitmustbeunderstoodthatthe
Willamette is a dy namic river that changes and can
be confusing and dangerous to navigate.
Don’t count on the maps to depict every
hazard or unpassable channel.
RIVER MILES
00
All river miles in this guide originate at the river’s
mouth,startingwithRiverMile(RM)0,andincreasing
invaluemovingupstream.Theleftbank(L)and
rightbank(R)ofallriverlocationsinthisguideare
determined by fac ing downstream. At many points
along the river, Willamette River Green way signs
indi cate the appro pri ate river mile. When used with
maps in this guide, these signs can help boaters
identify their location on the river.
River Estimated
River Segment Miles Float Time
Dexter Reservoir-Springfield 18 4 hours
Armitage County Park-
Harrisburg 21 4 hours
Harrisburg-Corvallis 29 8 hours
Corvallis-Albany 11 5 hours
Albany-Buena Vista 15 6 hours
Buena Vista-Independence 11 5 hours
Independence-Salem 12 5 hours
Salem-Wheatland Ferry 12 5 hours
Wheatland Ferry-
San Salvador Park 15 5-6 hours
San Salvador-
Champoeg State Park 11 5 hours
Champoeg State Park-
West Linn 17 8 hours
West Linn-Willamette Park 12 6-7 hours
Willamette Park-
Kelley Point Park 18 10 hours
*Estimates are based on a leisurely pace with rest and
lunch stops. Add extra time for additional sightseeing.
From Canoe Routes of Northwest Oregon, published by
The Mountaineers, Seattle, Washington.
Biking
• Tryashortride–inandaroundmanyof
the parks along the river.
• Tryalongride–excursionstakebicyclists
along rural back roads, through small
towns, past historic places, and to various
river crossings.
• Allthreeremainingferries–Canby,
Wheatland and Buena Vista – can be
included on bicycle outings.
Hiking
• Moststateparksarepopularforhikingand
nature walks.
• Herearesomeothers:SauvieIsland,
greenway trails in Eugene and Portland,
George Rogers Park (Lake Oswego), Minto-
Brown Island Park (Salem), and additional
locations on the following maps.
HUNTING AND FISHING
Hunting
• Permittedatthosegreenwayparcelswitha
hunting symbol ONLY during authorized
seasons with a shotgun or bow and arrow.
• Alwaysobey“nohunting”signs.
• Huntingonprivatelandsisallowedonlyby
permission of landowner and is still subject to
state game rules.
• Specialrestrictionsat:
o Lynx Hollow Access on the Coast Fork
o Truax Island Access (RM 128)
o Wapato Access on the Multnomah Channel
• Moreinfo:
o Specific restrictions on state greenway
parcels: Southern Willamette Management
Unit @ (541) 937-1173; Willamette Mission
Management Unit @ (503) 393-1172;
Champoeg Management Unit
@ (503) 678-1251
o General hunting: Oregon Department of Fish
& Wildlife (ODFW) @ (503) 947-6000
Fishing
• Mostareasofferfishingyear-round.
• Librariesandbookstorescontainlocal-
ly produced guides that point anglers
to fishing holes, baits and lures, and
conditions when fishing is best.
• Anglingregulationsvary,socheck
the angling synopsis for specifics on
restrictions. It is available wherever
fishing licenses are sold.
• Seetableonpage13forfishingarea
suggestions.
www.boatoregon.com
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12
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
A selected listing:
JUNE
RoseFestival•
Portland/503-227-2681
FolklifeFestival•
Corvallis/541-757-0205
OutdoorConcerts•
Lake Oswego/503-636-9673
HistoricalPageant•
Champoeg/503-678-1649
JULY
OldFashionedJuly4th•
Harrisburg/541-998-6154
Riverfest•
Clackamette Park/503-650-5219
OregonTrailPageant•
Oregon City/503-657-0988
VictorianDays•
Albany/541-928-0911
DRIVING
An interesting mid-valley trip could
include excursions across the Buena
Vista and Wheatland ferries with a side
visit to the State Capitol Building in
Salem. A nice rest stop is Minto-Brown
Island Park south of Salem which
features picnic areas as well as excellent
running, walking and bicycle paths. It
is best to limit total driving time to 3-5
hours, es pe cially with children.
ABOVE RIGHT: Willamette Falls • RIGHT: Pioneer Farmstead Day at Champoeg
WATERSKIING
Popular skiing points include Multnomah Channel, Sellwood
to Willamette Park in Portland, the Milwaukie basin, above
Willamette Falls, Newberg to Wilsonville, and the Salem,
Albany and Corvallis areas. Remember, it is the law to wave a
red or orange “skier down” flag while a skier is in the water.
BICYCLING
For a fall bike ride, try the 36-mile Junction City-Harrisburg
loop timed to coincide with either the Junction City
Scandinavian Festival or Harrisburg’s Harvest Fest.
OPRD
Here’s a sampling of places to go to enjoy the Willamette River system:
SAUVIE ISLAND RM 021
Popular for bicycle rides (Gillihan Loop Road is 12 miles), nature walks,
and fruit and vege table stands. More than 1,000 acres are cul ti vated each
year. Grains seeded in the fall provide green forage for wintering ducks
and geese. A parking permit is required in state wildlife areas.
TOM MCCALL WATERFRONT PARK RM 1112
Offers a chance to walk, jog, or bicycle along several miles of Portland’s
urban waterfront. It also provides access on the south end to Riverplace,
a complex of restau rants, shops, a hotel, and condo miniums. The
Hawthorne and Steel bridges connect pedestrians and bicyclists to the
Eastside Esplanade and to a pathway to the Oregon 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 park fea-
tures a 60-foot ferris wheel and the largest wood-floor skating rink on
the West Coast.
WILLAMETTE FALLS LOCKS RM 26
Locks at West Linn were placed in service in 1873. The wooden locks
are the oldest continuously operating multi-lock system in America. A
museum exhibits many historic photo graphs and arti facts. Picnic area
and restrooms are available.
FRENCH PRAIRIE RM 3570
Butteville, St. Paul, and Champoeg
were originally settled by French
Canadian retirees of the Hudson’s
Bay Company. Hence, this area
is sometimes referred to as
“French Prairie.” A riverbank
marker denotes location of historic
Butteville and its landing, founded
in 1845.
WILLAMETTE RIVER FERRIES
The three remaining ferries on the Willamette can be enjoyed in a
day outing or a longer bicycle excursion—the Canby Ferry (RM 34)
is near Canby, the Wheatland Ferry (RM 72) is north of Salem, and
the Buena Vista Ferry (RM 106) is south of Salem. Good picnic points
would be Champoeg State Park, Willamette Mission State Park (at the
Wheatland Ferry), or Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem.
EUGENE/SPRINGFIELD RIVERFRONT RM 178186
This area offers a nice network of public bike paths and trails along
both sides of the river, joined by several footbridges. An old canoe-
way connects Alton Baker Park to the West D Street Green way in
Springfield.
MARY S. YOUNG PARK
Riverfront park features hiking trails, a short bicycle trail and athletic
fields. A new footbridge connects to Cedar Oak Island, park and
natural area managed by the city of West Linn. Located on Highway
43 in West Linn, about 9 miles southwest of Portland.
OREGON STATE PARKS
MOLALLA RIVER STATE PARK
Features a 1½-mile hiking trail along which waterfowl, frogs and
songbirds can be viewed. The park also has a large great blue heron
rook ery; nesting activity occurs from Feb ruary through July. Located
along the Molalla and Willamette rivers near Canby.
Popular
h
DESTINATIONS
CHAMPOEG STATE PARK
The Champoeg site is most famous for being where the decisive vote
for organizing the first provisional government in the Northwest was
taken on May 2, 1843. The site is now a state park with grassy fields,
boat tie-up, picnic areas, 85-site campground with six yurts and six
cabins, as well as group camping, extensive bike trails and two muse-
ums. Located off Highway 99W, 7 miles east of Newberg.
www.oregonstateparks.org
VJ BEAUCHAMP
13
Molalla River
Champoeg
Willamette Mission
Elijah Bristow
36
46
73
202
202
203
Sarah Helmick
(Luckiamute River)
Lowell State
Recreation Site
Dexter State
Recreation Site
GUIDE TO OREGON STATE PARKS
River Mile (RM)
Multnomah Channel
(RM0) Goodspringchinooksalmonfishery;alsowintersteelhead.GilbertRiverand
Sturgeon Lake fishing is mainly for warm-water game fish; primarily catfish,
perch, and crappie. Bank fishing is possible in several areas. Success rates
are best from March through June.
Cedar Oak Island
(RM23) Hidesashelteredlagoonthatoffersgoodfishingforperch,crappie,
bullheads, bluegill, and bass. It is especially good for winter angling because
it is protected from the river's high-water winter currents.
Clackamas River
(RM25) ParticularlyatitsconfluencewiththeWillamette,theClackamasisamong
the top salmon and steelhead producers in the entire Columbia system.
Featured species may include spring chinook, summer steel head, coho, a
small run of fall chinook, and a good run of winter steel head.
Rock Island
(RM30) Itssloughsandenvironsprovidegoodhabitatforbassandotherwarm-
water fish. It is a popular fishing hole due to its proximity to High way 99E.
Popular for boat-in camping.
Molalla River
(RM36) ChannelcatfishcanbecaughtatthejunctionoftheMolallaandWillamette,
along with crappie, bass and bullheads, salmon, steelhead and trout in
season. Large late steelhead run.
Yamhill River
(RM55) Bass,crappie,bluegill,perch,catfish,troutandsalmonfrequenttheYamhill
Riverarea.AgoodsmallmouthbassfisheryalsoexistsinthelowerYamhill.
Buena Vista/Luckiamute River
(RM106)FortwomilesupstreamofBuenaVistaParkandferryisagoodstretchof
the Willamette for smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as crappie and
bluegill. Nearby Luckiamute River offers a good population of large- and
smallmouth bass and native cutthroat, with large migrating cutthroat arriving
in winter for an additional fishery.
Calapooia River
(RM119) TheCalapooiaRiverjoinstheWillametteatBryantParkinAlbany.Itsinflow
draws feeding fish such as bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. There's fishing
for trout, steelhead and salmon in season. Largemouth bass and panfish are
available.
Peoria
(RM141) The10to12rivermilesfromPeoriatoCorvallisarefilledwithfishing
opportunities. Sloughs surrounding a series of islands provide relatively
unfished habitats for all of the fish species found in the river. Cutthroat trout
are quite abundant from Peoria upstream.
Long Tom River
(RM145)TheLongTomhaslargemouthbass,crappie,andbrownbullheadinlower
section. Also, a popular sturgeon hole exists at its confluence with the
Willamette.
McKenzie River
(RM175) TheMcKenzieisoneofOregon'sbestfishingrivers,withplumpredside
rainbow trout, native cutthroat trout, summer steel head and spring chinook
providing anglers with plenty of action. Lower section is a catch and release
zone.
Middle Fork
(RM187- Asubstantialhatcheryreleaseprogramhasmadespringchinookand
203) summersteelheadfisheryattractivebelowDexterDam.Thereisalsoa
limited winter steelhead run. Fall Creek, which enters near Jasper, has a
good trout fishery.
AUGUST
Crawfish Festival
Tualatin/503-692-0780
Waterfront Festival
West Salem/503-581-4325
Filbert Festival
Springfield/541-744-2628
SEPTEMBER
Eugene Celebration
Eugene/541-687-5215
Indian Summer Folk Life Festival
St. Paul/503-678-1649
Bybee-Howell House Wintering-In
Sauvie Island/503-222-1741
OCTOBER
Sternwheeler Race
Portland/503-223-3928
Sauerkraut Festival
Scappoose/503-543-7991
OPRD
WILLAMETTE MISSION STATE PARK
Original site of Rev. Jason Lee’s Methodist mission. A 4-mile
bike trail winds through river bottomlands. A small lake in the
park offers a boat ramp and is good for panfishing. Located on
Wheatland Ferry Road, 8 miles north of Salem.
SARAH HELMICK STATE PARK
Small park along the Luckiamute River. Offers picnicking and
some good fishing holes. Located off Highway 99W,
6 miles south of Monmouth.
JASPER STATE RECREATION SITE
Shorter hiking trails, group picnicking sites, children’s play
area, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, softball fields, and fish-
ing on the riverbank. Excellent birding opportunities. Located
approximately RM 96.
LOWELL STATE RECREATION SITE
56-slip marina, boat ramps and a boat house maintained
by Oregon Association of Rowers. Swimming, a basketball court,
and picnicking. Food concessionaire. Located approximately
RM 202.
DEXTER STATE RECREATION SITE
Very popular with rowers, boaters and speedboaters. Located
approximately RM 202.
ELIJAH BRISTOW STATE PARK
Sprawling day-use park with 16 miles of hiking, biking and
equestrian trails, plus several miles of riverfront. Located along
Middle Fork of the Willamette off Highway 58, 7 miles south east
of Eugene.
SUGGESTED FISHING
AREAS
www.boatoregon.com
14
s
Swirling through small channels, over and around downed trees, and creating myriad small
whirlpools, the Middle Fork is a swiftly moving stream as it sets off below Dexter Res ervoir and
through Elijah Bristow State Park. On its journey to the Columbia, the Willamette will change
complexion many times. Here it is a remarkably clear stream that is popular with anglers and
rafters alike as it flows over rocky beds and boulders. It is common to see osprey, hawks and
an occasional eagle flying above, while water fowl work the shores and eddies. Anglers in drift
boats or in waders vie for spring chinook salmon, steelhead and native cutthroat trout.
Above the town of Jasper, the Middle Fork is challenging—especially for canoes. Drift boats
and rafts have an easier time. Jet boats usually can get all the way to Dexter Dam, but they must
pay heed to shallows opposite Jasper Park and elsewhere. Snags and strain ers (fallen trees)
make some channels difficult or impass able; con di tions change frequently. Keep alert at all
times for strainers and underwater debris. Before navigating these upper reaches, it is best to
scout the river or get current local information from the Lane County Sheriff’s office, the City
of Eugene Outdoor Program or local river out fitters.
The Coast Fork, similarly, is a challenging stretch. During high water in the spring, it can be
swift and demanding even for the experienced rafter. During low water most of the rest of the
year, rocks and shallows make this fork difficult, if not unpleasant, to float. Check local water
conditions before venturing out.
RIVER MILEPOSTS
MIDDLE FORK
The Dexter Holding Ponds (RM 203) are immediately below Dexter Dam. There are several
launch points:
(1) downriver 100 yards from the Dexter holding ponds, (2) on the opposite bank at Dexter
County Park, or (3) from the
Pengra Access (RM 201) greenway parcel further downriver.
Pengra Access is a good launch point that avoids some upriver hazards. Just below the mouth of
Fall Creek (RM 198.5) are some hazard ous channels.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge (RM 197) alerts you that Jasper State Recreation Site
(RM 195) and its river shallows are just a mile or so ahead. 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 FORK
The Coast Fork flows from
Cottage Grove Reservoir northward for 29 river miles, paralleling
the route of Interstate 5. Several public access points, landings and launch locations exist along
this fork. At river mile 187, it joins the Middle Fork, forming the mainstem Willamette.
MAJOR FEATURES
206
Lowell Covered Bridge
Built by Lane County in 1945, it crosses
the mid-section of Dexter Reservoir.
204
Dexter Holding Ponds
Watch adult chinook salmon in fish
ladder and holding ponds from May to
October. Osprey and wood ducks nest
in area April to September.
203
Elijah Bristow State Park
A large day-use park with hiking,
picnicking, and horseback riding.
201
Pengra Access
Launch point named for Bynon
Pengra, a surveyor of the Oregon
Central Military Road.
191
Clearwater Park
A popular put-in and take-out
point in Springfield.
EXCURSIONS
RIGHT: Canoe along the Willamette
14
A challenging day trip is to float a canoe,
drift boat or raft from Dexter Reservoir to
Spring field—12 to 18 river miles de pend-
ing on your put-in and take-out points.
There are hazards along the way; only the
experi enced should try this run above
Jasper Bridge.
Estimated float time: 3 to 5 hours.
A shorter trip would be to launch at
Clearwater Park and exit at Island Park,
6 miles downriver.
Estimated float time: 2.5 hours.
WR, Travis Williams
I
MIDDLE AND COAST FORKS
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
P A C I F I C O C E A N
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGE
GROVE
THE
FORKS
Officially, the Willamette
River begins where the
Middle Fork emerges from
Lake Timpanogas high in the
Oregon Cascades. However,
the river is considered navi-
gable 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.
www.oregonstateparks.org
OSMB
15
COTTAGE
GROVE
R
O
W
R
I
V
E
R
W
I
L
L
I
A
M
S
W
I
L
S
O
N
C
R
C
E
D
A
R
C
R
COTTAGE
GROVE
RES.
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
NH
L
O
N
D
O
N
R
D
C
O
T
T
A
G
E
G
R
O
V
E
R
E
S
.
R
D
20
17
LYNX HOLLOW ACCESS
25
GIDDINGS CREE
K
LANDING
OPRD
OPRD
COTTAGE GROVE
RESERVOIR DAM
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
PINE MEADOWS
CAMPGROUND
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
PRIMITIVE
CAMPGROUND
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LAKESIDE PARK
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
SHORTRIDGE PARK
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WILSON CREEK PARK
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
RM C to C
THE FORKS—MIDDLE AND COAST
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
RIVER MILES
River miles are indi-
cated by a
00
at 5 mile
intervals as well as at
the top and bottom of
each map. River mileage
mile-by-mile is indicated
by small dots in the river
channel. There are three
zero points for river
miles; at the confluences
of Multnomah Chan nel
with the Columbia River
at St. Helens, the main-
stem Willamette with the
Columbia at Kelley Point
in Portland, and the Coast
Fork with the Middle Fork
at Springfield. River miles
increase pro ceeding
upriver. Major navigation
hazards are shown with
a
NH
. Specific hazards are
described in the legend
on each map and are list-
ed by river mile. Be alert
for other hazards as well.
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boat
camping
Division of
State 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,
com pleted in 1942, is an
Army Corps of Engineers
project about five miles south
of Cottage Grove. It is used
primarily for flood control,
irrigation, and recreation.
The three-mile-long lake and
its shoreline are used for
boating, swim ming, water ski-
ing, fishing, picnicking, and
camping. Three day-use parks
provide opportunities for
water-oriented recreation.
29 17
Coast Fork: Generally
navigable only in the
early spring. It is difficult
to float when water levels
drop in early summer.
Even when navigable,
swift and shallow condi-
tions make it challenging;
scout before you float.
I
Green areas on maps
indicate property
boundaries.
www.boatoregon.com
16
EUGENE
SPRINGFIELD
CRESWELL
C
O
A
S
T
F
O
R
K
M
I
D
D
L
E
F
O
R
K
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
NH
99
126
5
99
5
5
MT PISGAH
58
10 5
S
E
A
V
Y
L
O
O
P
R
D
F
R
A
N
K
L
I
N
B
L
V
D
ASPEN
CENTENNIAL BLVD
5
ARBORETUM
185
181
190
193
SEAVY LANDING
BRISTOW LANDING
CLOVERDALE ACCESS
PISGAH LANDING
HOWARD BUFORD
RECREATION AREA
CAMAS SWALE
LANDING
5
10
COUGAR
MOUNTAIN ACCESS
16
LYNX HOLLOW ACCESS
ISLAND PARK
CLEARWATER
BOAT RAMP
CITY OF EUGENE
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
LANE COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
OPRD
NH
NH
AUTZEN
BIKE BRIDGE
WILLIE
KNICKERBOCKER
BIKE BRIDGE
ALTON BAKER PARK
& WATERWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
WEST D STREET
GREENWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
MILLRACE PARK
FRANKLIN PARK GREENWAY
CITY OF EUGENE
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
DORRIS RANCH
LIVING HISTORY FARM
GLASSBAR ISLAND LANDING
OPRD
OPRD
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
ALTON BAKER
EASTGATE WOODLANDS
NH
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
THE FORKS—MIDDLE AND COAST
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
Dorris Ranch: Site of the
first commercial filbert
nut orchard in the United
States, Dorris Ranch in
Springfield continues as
a fully productive com-
mercial filbert orchard
and living history farm.
Year-roundwalkingtours,
edu cational programs,
workshops, special events
and pre servation projects
enable visitors to experi-
ence early Oregon history
first-hand.
Millrace Park: The
Springfield Millrace
diverted Willamette river
in order to power early
mills. This fueled the local
economy. The former
Booth-Kelly mill was the
largest mill of the largest
lumber company of its
day, and the flour mill
powered by the Millrace
was at one time Lane
County’s largest, lasting
for 75 years.
Springfield: In 1849,
Elias M. Briggs located a
land claim near here. For
many years a portion of
his claim was known as
“the spring-field”, hence
the town’s eventual
name. Springfield rated
occasional(rare)visitsby
steamboats from down-
river ports during the
winter high-water season.
Like Eugene, much of
Springfield’s Willamette
waterfront is a 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
on 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
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
public land
NH
LEGEND
RM to
193 181
RM C to C
16 0
I
www.oregonstateparks.org
17
SPRINGFIELD
JASPER
DEXTER
C
O
A
S
T
F
O R
K
M
I
D
D
L
E
RES.
F ORK
H
I
L
L
S
C
R
F
A
L
L
C
R
NH
NH
NH
MT PISGAH
58
LOWELL
COVERED
BRIDGE
58
J
A
S
P
E
R
-
L
O
W
E
L
L
R
D
RIDGEWAY RD
42ND ST
J
A
S
P
E
R
R
D
222
PISGAH LANDING
LOG JAM LANDING
LOG JAM ACCESS
JASPER BRIDGE ACCESS
JASPER STATE REC. SITE
HOWARD BUFORD
RECREATION AREA
195
200
OPRD
GREEN ISLAND
LANDING
ELIJAH BRISTOW
STATE PARK
DEXTER STATE
REC. SITE
DEXTER
HAND LAUNCH
PENGRA ACCESS
CLEARWATER
BOAT RAMP
LANE COUNTY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
DEXTER DAM
DEXTER
HOLDING PONDS
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LOOKOUT POINT DAM
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
OPRD
OPRD
JASPER BRIDGE RAMP
ODOT
OPRD
NH
DEXTER
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
SEAVY LANDING
OPRD
LOWELL STATE
REC. SITE
OPRD
190
ARBORETUM
OPRD
OPRD
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
THE FORKS—MIDDLE AND COAST
Railroad: Southern
Pacific mainline follows
portions of the Middle
Fork. Railroad construc-
tion to this area began
in 1909, but the final
108-mile section over
the Cascades was not
completed until 1926.
Elijah Bristow was the
founder of Pleasant Hill
and an Oregon pioneer
of 1846. With Eugene
Skinner and two other
Oregon Trail immigrants,
Bristow explored the
upper Willamette Valley
country in June 1846,
looking for likely places
to stake a claim. Bristow
selected this site because
of the beauty of the land-
scape. The park named in
his honor is a sprawling
state park with several
miles of beautiful river-
front and picnic areas.
The Lowell covered
bridge, originally built in
1907, now crosses part of
the mid-section of Dexter
Reservoir. The bridge was
rebuilt by Lane County
in 1945.
Dexter Holding Ponds:
Salmon hatchery and
hold ing ponds have
been operated by the
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and Oregon
Department of Fish and
Wildlife 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.
191
196
198
203
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
RM to
203 189
I
www.boatoregon.com
18
t
II
SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY
www.oregonstateparks.org
EXCURSIONS
18
The current is typically fast through Springfield and Eugene. At least five rapids will be encountered,
offering both challenge and a likelihood of getting wet. Of most concern to boaters is the diversion dam
encount ered just above the I-5 crossing in Springfield. This stretch is recom mended only for experienced
kayakers and canoeists.
Downstream from Eugene, the Willamette maintains its energy and rapid flow. Between Eugene and
Harrisburg, the river flows in many intertwined or “braided” channels marked by occasional snags and strain-
ers—but no real rapids. It is wise to stay alert for shallows, ob structions, strainers, and unnavigable side chan-
nels. Here, the river is naturally unstable in a wide flood plain, often spilling over its shallow channels during
high water to create new ones. What is depicted as a channel on the map might now be a gravel bar or marsh.
Even after Harrisburg, the fickle river can lure a boater down a shallow side-channel or through some unex-
pected water hydraulics. Only after Corvallis does the Willamette begin to slacken its pace and form itself into a
more reliable single channel with intermittent islands.
RIVER MILEPOSTS
Island Park (RM 185), on the right bank, has a good boat launch. Beware of the dangerous diversion dam
and rapids at the I-5 bridge about a mile downriver. Boaters should follow the shallow right channel to avoid
treacherous currents along a mid-river revetment or a three-foot plunge over the dam itself. At the Autzen
footbridge
(RM 183), the main channel (left) sports three-foot standing waves. Middle and right channels can
be shallow.
West D Street Greenway (RM 184) was created by re-routing a local street. Alton Baker Park (RM 184-182), the
major regional metropolitan park, runs along the right bank to the Ferry Street Bridge. It contains a popular
canoeway. About 150 yards above the Washington Street Bridge are additional rapids.
The McKenzie River joins the Willamette at RM 175. Armitage County Park, which has a good boat ramp, is
about seven miles upstream on the McKenzie, offering an interesting side trip.
Whitely (RM 175.5) is a maintained boat ramp, but is not on the main channel and is difficult to locate from the
river. It also may require por t age.
At Harrisburg (RM 160), look for the new gazebo at the riverfront park and a boat ramp just down river from it.
A recently formed gravel bar may linit access for larger boats. Call for local condition updates. Landing hand-
powered craft at McCartney Park (RM 156) is diffi cult because of strong currents. How ever, it’s another 15 miles
to the next boat ramp at Peoria Park (RM 141).
The river above Corvallis (RM 140-132) is filled with snags and strain ers. The Crystal Lake Boat Ramp (RM
133) is at the downriver end of Willamette Park. A boat landing is at Michael’s Landing (RM 131), north of the
Harrison Street bridge.
The remaining 11-mile run to Albany is pleasant and easy. The best boat ramp above Albany is at
Hyak Park (RM 122).
MAJOR FEATURES
185
Island Park
and boat launch
These are adjacent to the
historic Springfield railway
station and the Springfield
millrace. Island Park is the
site of the annual Filbert
Festival.
183
Alton Baker Park and
Eastgate Woodlands
These comprise much of the
major public green way in
Spring field and Eugene.
175
McKenzie River
One of Oregon’s great
whitewater fishing streams
for which the famed
McKenzieriverboat(drift
boat)isnamed.
149
Long Tom River
Unpassable by boat today,
but was once used by
steamboats as far upriver as
Monroe.
Greenway parcels
A number of which are
located between Corvallis
and Albany.
Try a good one-day float trip from Armitage Park to
Harrisburg(19rivermiles).Driftboatfishingispopularin
this stretch.
Estimated float time: 4 hours.
Ortakeatwo-dayruntoCorvallis(49miles),pullingoutat
WillamettePark(CrystalLakeboatramp).
Estimated float time: 10 hours.
A popular half-day outing is the 11 miles from Crystal Lake
boat ramp in Corvallis to Hyak Park upriver from Albany.
Estimated float time: 3 hours.
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
P A C I F I C O C E A N
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGE
GROVE
THE UPPER
MAINSTEM
ABOVE: Crew team near Corvallis
OSMB
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 upper mainstem of the
Willamette still has a few
exciting twists, turns and
rapids in store.
19
www.boatoregon.com
COBURG
EUGENE
EUGENE
SPRINGFIELD
M
c
K
E
N
Z
I
E
R
IV
E
R
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
LINN COUNTY
LANE COUNTY
99
W
99
E
126
5
10 5
JUNCTION
CITY
C
O
B
U
R
G
-
H
A
R
R
I
S
B
U
R
G
R
D
R
IV
E
R
R
D
BELT LINE RD
WILKES DR
RIVER
LOOP
RD
C
O
B
U
R
G RD
ASPEN
99
99
CENTENNIAL BLVD
CROSS ROADS LN
R
I
V
E
R
A
VE
164
170
175
BLUE RUIN ISLAND
SCANDIA LANDING
BEACON LANDING
ROGERS BEND LANDING
WHITELY LANDING
WHITELY BOAT RAMP
ARMITAGE COUNTY PARK
BROWN’S BOAT SKID
MARSHALL
ISLAND LANDING
MARSHALL
ISLAND ACCESS
CHRISTENSEN’S
BOAT RAMP
180
BELTLINE WEST
BOAT RAMP
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
LANE COUNTY
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LANE COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
(UNDEVELOPED)
HAYES
R
D
DR
BEACON
OWOSSO
BIKE BRIDGE
WILLIE
KNICKERBOCKER
BIKE BRIDGE
OWEN ROSE GARDEN
SKINNER BUTTE PARK
ISLAND PARK
CITY OF EUGENE
EAST BANK PARK
CITY OF EUGENE
DELTA PONDS
CITY OF EUGENE
(UNDEVELOPED)
WEST BANK PARK
CITY OF EUGENE
CITY OF EUGENE
CITY OF EUGENE
GREENWAY
BIKE BRIDGE
AUTZEN
BIKE BRIDGE
ALTON BAKER PARK
& WATERWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
WEST D STREET
GREENWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
MILLRACE PARK
MAURIE JACOBS PARK/
RIVER HOUSE OUTDOOR PROGRAM
CITY OF EUGENE
WILLAMALANE
PARK DISTRICT
185
NH
NH
NH
NH
NH
NH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
I-5 Rapids: Old mill
diver sion dam immedi-
ately upriver from I-5
bridge at Springfield
is dangerous; only
experienced canoeists
or kayakers should run
this stretch.
Eugene/Springfield
riverfronts: A nice
network of public
parks, bike paths and
trails runs along both
sides of the river. The
paths cross the river
on several foot and
bicycle bridges.
McKenzie River: Named
after Scotsman Donald
McKenzie of John Jacob
Astor’s Pacific Fur Co.,
who explored it in
1812. The McKenzie is
sometimes considered
the “third fork” of the
Willamette.
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;
difficult 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
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
public land
NH
LEGEND
RM to
185 164
THE UPPER MAINSTEM—SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY
II
20
www.oregonstateparks.org
MONROE
HARRISBURG
M
I
D
D
L
E
C
H
A
N
N
E
L
L
O
N
G
T
O
M
R
I
V
E
R
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
NORWOOD
ISLAND
BENTON COUNTY
LANE COUNTY
L
I
N
N
C
O
U
N
T
Y
AMERICAN
CAN CO.
STACK
WILLIAM L FINLEY
NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE
C
O
B
U
R
G
-
H
A
R
R
I
S
B
U
R
G
R
D
B
E
N
T
O
N
C
O
U
N
T
Y
L
I
N
N
C
O
U
N
T
Y
99
E
99
E
99
E
99
W
99
W
O
L
D
R
I
V
E
R
R
D
IRISH BEND
STOW
PIT
RD
CARTNEY DR
AMERICAN DR
PEORIA RD
145
143
150
163
160
155
BUCKSKIN MARY
LANDING
SAM DAWS LANDING
IRISH BEND
HARKENS LAKE
LANDING
McCARTNEY PARK
HARRISBURG PARK
OPRD
OPRD
BENTON COUNTY
ANDERSON PARK
OPRD
LINN COUNTY
CITY OF HARRISBURG
NH
NH
NH
RD
BENTON COUNTY
(UNDEVELOPED)
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
THE UPPER MAINSTEM—SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY
Sam Daws Landing: This
state greenway parcel is on the
current river channel but is a mile
or so away—due to the river’s
changes—from where the original
Daws homesite is located.
Long Tom River: The
steamboat “Ann” initially
ventured into the Long
Tom River in 1869. Later
the “Echo” operated out
of Monroe for several
years before river traffic
there proved impractical.
Harrisburg: Originally
named Prairie City.
Incor porated in 1866
and re-named after
Harrisburg, Penn.
Generally the upper -
most point of navigation
during the steamboat era.
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
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
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
public land
NH
LEGEND
RM to
163 142
II
21
www.boatoregon.com
CORVALLIS
PEORIA
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KIGER
ISLAND
JOHN
SMITH
ISLAND
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FORMER SITE OF
TOWN OF ORLEANS
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FAYETTEVILLE
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140
WILLAMETTE PARK
RIVER JETTY LANDING
KIGER ISLAND LANDING
PEORIA PARK
HOACUM ISLAND
LANDING
120
118
130
125
BRYANT PARK
HYAK PARK
BOWERS ROCK
STATE PARK
HALF MOON BEND
LANDING
RIVERSIDE LANDING
TRUAX ISLAND ACCESS
CITY OF ALBANY
(UNDEVELOPED)
BENTON COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD
MICHAEL’S LANDING
CITY OF CORVALLIS
CITY OF CORVALLIS
(UNDEVELOPED)
OPRD
CORVALLIS
COMMEMORATIVE
RIVERFRONT PARK
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR
AND ALAN BERG PARKS
CITY OF CORVALLIS
OPRD
OPRD
LINN COUNTY
OPRD
CITY OF CORVALLIS
NH
NH
EBINGER RD
NH
BOWMAN PARK
CITY OF ALBANY
TAKENA LANDING
CITY OF ALBANY
142
S
CRYSTAL LAKE
BOAT RAMP
CITY OF CORVALLIS
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
Booneville and Middle channels:
These channels surround upper
Kiger and John Smith islands.
Suit able only for canoe or kayak
access. The former townsites of
Booneville and Burlington were
platted on these islands. Burlington,
a mile downstream from Peoria, was
sometimes confused with Peoria.
Peoria: A century ago,
Peoria was one of the
major centers of trade
and river shipping in the
Willamette Valley. It fal-
tered economically when
the railroad bypassed it.
Marys River: River is
canoeable for several
miles, but there are no
put-in or take-out points
due to steep banks. John
Work, a Hudson’s Bay Co.
employee, camped here
in 1834.
Orleans: Corvallis, on
relatively high ground,
fared better than the “lost
town” of Orleans imme-
diately across the river.
Established in the late
1850s, it was wiped out
by the 1861 flood that also
took Champoeg and other
riverside towns. Only
a church and cemetery
remain.
Calapooia River: The
Calapooia Indian band,
after whom this river is
named, frequented the
areas south and east of
here. Native Americans
in the Willamette Valley
were collectively known
as Kalapuyans, sharing
a common dialect.
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
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.
122
142
142
RM to
142 118
THE UPPER MAINSTEM—SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY
II
22
III
t
ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG
22
The middle section of the main stem Willamette continues to slow and no longer actively creates
new channels. River depths average 12-15 feet, although there are occasional shallows and strong
currents—especially near obstructions—that can upset a careless boater. In other places, the river
slows and deepens to as much as 80 feet. Many sloughs and side channels lure anglers in search
of bass, crappie and other panfish. Angling for spring chinook near Willamette Mission State Park
can be productive during late April and May.
Scores of abandoned landings, as well as some major settlements of the steamboat era—Fairfield,
and Buena Vista among them—have long since declined or disappeared altogether into Oregon’s
past. Of the early river towns, Salem, Corvallis, Albany, Independence and a few others remain.
This section is particularly bucolic, and features two of the remaining three Willamette River fer-
ries—Buena Vista and Wheatland. Both have been in operation since the early 1850s. Buena Vista
was site of important clay pipe and cooking ware kilns that served early Willamette Valley farms.
Wheatland was opposite where Rev. Jason Lee founded his Methodist mission in 1834.
RIVER MILEPOSTS
Albany (RM 120-117) has three easily accessible city parks—Takena Landing (RM 119-117),
Bryant Park (RM 120), and Bowman Park (RM 119).
The Santiam River joins op posite Lucki amute Landing (RM 108-107). This is a good fishing and
wild life viewing area. Remnants of the old gallery forest can be seen around Luckiamute Landing,
which is frequented by bald eagles and wild turkeys.
The
Buena Vista Ferry (RM 106) is next to Buena Vista Park. Just downriver, Wells Island Park
(RM 106-105) is an undev elop ed island popular for boat camp ing.
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 excellent riverfront park, Wallace Marine
Park
(RM 84-83), with two boat ramps—the down stream one for hand-launch only. Salem’s
downtown riverfront is being developed as a major public recreation park.
A transient tie-up (RM 84) provides access to Salem's Riverfront Park and 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 boat ramp (not accessible by road – from river only). Beyond it,
the
Yamhill River (RM 55) joins the Willamette. The Yamhill can be navigated upriver to a boat
ramp at Dayton (RM 5 on the Yamhill)—and some times to Lafayette. Be careful of shoals.
103
Ankeny Refuge
One of three national
wildlife refuges that provide
important winter habitat for
geese and other waterfowl in
the Willamette Valley.
84
Salem
In 1852, the steamer
“Canemah” trans ported
lawmakers from Oregon City
to Salem to unite with the rest
of the terri torial government
after Congress settled the
territorial capital dispute.
Salem then became the state
capital when Oregon achieved
statehood in 1859.
77
Lincoln Access
Once the largest ship -
ping port on the river above
Portland, Lincoln is now just a
small rural community.
73
Willamette Mission
State Park
Site of the North west’s first
Indian mission station in 1834.
EXCURSIONS
A good float trip is to put in
at the Santiam boat ramp
at the I-5 Santiam bridges
restarea(freewaymile241).
Float the five miles to the
Willamette and then to either
IndependencePark(18rivermiles)orWallaceMarine
ParkinSalem(28miles).
Estimated float time: 4 to 6 hours.
A good car or bicycle trip is to take country roads to and
across the Wheatland or Buena Vista ferries.
ABOVE: Willamette Mission State Park
RIGHT: Relaxing at Willamette Mission
State Park
MAJOR FEATURES
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
P A C I F I C O C E A N
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGE
GROVE
THE MIDDLE
MAINSTEM
OPRD
www.oregonstateparks.org
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 the
sternwheel’s rotation.
OSMB
23
ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG
ALBANY
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POLK COUNTY
BENTON COUNTY
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JUDSON
ROCKS
ANKENY NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE
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BUENA VIST
A RD
CORVALLIS RD
PARKER RD
E E WILSON
STAT E
GAME REFUGE
TALBOT RD
CORVALLIS RD
SIDNEY ACCESS
100
97
105
110
AMERICAN BOTTOM
LANDING
BUENA VISTA PARK
WELLS ISLAND PARK
LUCKIAMUTE LANDING
BLACK DOG LANDING
115
120
122
TAKENA LANDING
BOWMAN PARK
BRYANT PARK
HYAK PARK
BOWERS ROCK
STATE PARK
BUENA VISTA
FERRY
INDEPENDENCE
BAR LANDING
CITY OF
INDEPENDENCE
OPRD
OPRD
POLK COUNTY
POLK COUNTY
SANTIAM REST AREA
LAUNCH
ODOT
OPRD
CITY OF ALBANY
CITY OF ALBANY
CITY OF ALBANY
BENTON COUNTY
(UNDEVELOPED)
SARAH HELMICK
STATE PARK
OPRD
NH
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
RM to
122
97
Buena Vista: Once
home of the Oregon
Pottery Company,
which from 1866-
1896 produced
pottery wares used
throughout the
Willamette Valley
and Oregon.
Santiam River: Until
forced to the Grand
Ronde reservation in
1856, the Santiam band
of Native Americans
lived in the valleys of the
middle and south forks
of the Santiam.
Takena Landing: Albany’s original name was
Takenah—a Native American word describing the
“large pool or depression” created by the Calapooia
River where it joins the Willamette. Too often this
got translated to mean “hole in the ground”; hence
the decision to rename the community.
Buena Vista Ferry:
Operates April through
October, Wednesday
through Sunday. Hours
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. week-
days; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
week ends. Pedestrians
and bicyclists are
free; cars and small
pickup trucks are $1.35;
vehicles with trailers
are $2.75
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.
101
120
Hiking
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
public land
NH
LEGEND
THE MIDDLE MAINSTEM—ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG
III
www.boatoregon.com
24
www.oregonstateparks.org
THE MIDDLE MAINSTEM—ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG
III
KEIZER
SALEM
WEST SALEM
INDEPENDENCE
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CHEMAWA
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RIVER RD
GARLAND
WY
SUNSET
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CUMMINGS
LN
EOLA HILLS
95
76
80
LINCOLN ACCESS
DARROW BAR ACCESS
WALLACE MARINE PARK
McLANE ISLAND
KEIZER RAPIDS PARK
SPONGS LANDING PARK
85
90
95
97
MINTO-BROWN
ISLAND
INDEPENDENCE ISLAND
INDEPENDENCE
RIVERVIEW PARK
OPRD
OPRD
CITY OF
KEIZER
OPRD
CITY OF SALEM/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY
SALEM 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 STRANGE
FISHING HOLE
POLK COUNTY
NH
NH
RIVER ROAD
BRIDGE
OPRD
DARROW ROCKS LANDING
OPRD
PALMA CIEA PARK
CITY OF KEIZER
(UNDEVELOPED)
RIVER’S EDGE PARK
CITY OF KEIZER
(UNDEVELOPED)
SUNSET PARK
CITY OF KEIZER
HALLS FERRY LANDING
OPRD
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
Spongs Landing: The
Spongs family settled
opposite the old town
of Lincoln, where they
established a ferry in
competition with Doak’s
Ferry across the river. The
ferry owners reportedly
withheld landing rights
from each other, culmi-
nating in “a shooting fray
between crews” that,
fortunately, resulted in no
casualties.
Independence: Platted in the late 1840s by
Edwin A. Thorpe, by 1853 Independence had
its own post office. The 1861-62 flood wiped
out the town leading townspeople to plat a
new town. For a time there was both an “Old
Town” and “New Town”. The flood of 1890
also hit Independence hard, especially North
Independence(OldTown),whichwascom-
pelled to move. The old ferry landing is still
visible on both sides of river.
Lincoln Access: One of the Willamette’s
most successful early-day towns—
named after President Lincoln—won
fame for shipping out a record 350,000
bushels of wheat one year. It boasted a
half-mile-long waterfront of warehouses
and wharves, none of which remains.
Eola: The area at the foot of Eola Hills was once a
town called Cincinnati established in 1849 and a
prospering little community by 1851. At one time it
was mentioned as a possible site for the state capital.
Eola Hills spread out to the north at the bend in the
river. Joshua “Sheep” Shaw named it after the Ohio
town he grew up in; Shaw and his family were the first
immigrants to drive sheep over the “Road to Oregon”
in 1844. The town was situated just downriver 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
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
public land
NH
LEGEND
RM to
97 76
25
www.boatoregon.com
THE MIDDLE MAINSTEM—ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG
III
ST. PAUL
DAYTON
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POLK COUNTY
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CANDIANI
BAR
COFFEE
ISLAND
GRAND
ISLAND
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ISLAND
WHEATLAND
BAR
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FIVE
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76
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JACKSON BEND LANDING
ELDRIDGE BAR LANDING
WILLAMETTE MISSION
STATE PARK
WINDSOR ISLAND
ACCESS
GRAND ISLAND
ACCESS
SPRING VALLEY ACCESS
WHEATLAND
FERRY
SAN SALVADOR PARK
YAMHILL LANDING
OPRD
DAYTON BOAT RAMP
YAMHILL COUNTY
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
OPRD
NH
NH
BLANCHET AVE
RIVER RD
WHEATLAND
BOAT RAMP
BROOKLAKE RD
NH
NH
OPRD
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OPRD
EDINGER
LANDING
YAMHILL CO.
Wheatland: The
Wheatland community
once had numerous shops,
stores, mills, warehouses,
and two hotels. All except
the ferry are gone now,
replaced by an orchard.
Dayton: The town square,
maintained as a park,
commemorates Gen. Joel
Palmer. He was the super-
intendent of Indian Affairs
for the Oregon Territory
who negotiated the
1854-55 treaties whereby
Willamette Valley Indians
ceded their lands over
to the U.S. government.
The park’s focal point is
the relocated blockhouse
ofFortYamhill.
Lambert Slough: Suitable
only for canoe or kayak
access. Lambert Slough, a
good duck hunting area,
was once a larger channel
and defined Grand Island.
Willamette Mission
State Park: Methodist
missionary Jason Lee
established the first
Methodist mission west
of the Rockies here
in 1834. Lee moved
his mission to Salem
(Chemeketa)in1840.
Wheatland Ferry:
Operates daily year-round,
except for Christmas and
Thanksgiving. Hours are
5:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily.
Pedestrians and bicyclists
are free; cars and small
pickups are $1.35; vehicles
with trailers are $2.75.
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
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
RM to
76 54
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
Yamhill River: Yamhill
River is usually navigable
to Dayton and, in high water,
to Lafayette where steam-
boats once ven tured. Look
for the abandoned, historic
lock near Lafayette that made
steamboat visits possible.
Watch also for deadheads
and other debris.
26
IV
f
NEWBERG TO PORTLAND
www.oregonstateparks.org
26
From Newberg to its confluence with the Columbia 50 river miles later, the Willamette is mostly placid and
slow-moving. In this section, the river runs through 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 that creates the impressive 41-foot Willamette Falls. Tur bulent
waters near the base of the falls are unsafe for small boats (boats are prohidited immediately below the falls).
Observe the boating and fishing dead line (yellow markers).
Below the falls, the river is often congested with recreational and commercial river traffic. Still, you’ll see great
blue heron, water fowl, vegetation and wet lands along the way. The fishing, especially for salmon and sturgeon,
is very popular.
RIVER MILEPOSTS
Rodgers Landing (RM 50) has a boat ramp and tie-up with a park and rest rooms. Champoeg State Park (RM
46-43), also has a tie-up. Nearby is historic Butteville Landing (RM 43).
Boones Ferry Park (RM 39) has a boat ramp and Wilsonville Memorial Park (RM 38) offers a transient tie-up
facility. Molalla River State Park (RM 36-34), which has a large blue heron rookery, is just upstream from the
Canby Ferry. From here to Rock Island (RM 30), beware of narrow chutes and rocky reefs. Observe marker
buoys and range boards.
Bernert Land ing (RM 28) has both a boat ramp and tie-up. West Linn’s Willamette Park (RM 28) is at the
mouth of the Tualatin River.
To enter Willamette Falls Locks (RM 27) from upriver, keep to the far left bank. The locks are open during the
summer Thursday - Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Week ends are best due to the amount of commercial traf-
fic—which has priority—during the week. Allow about an hour for passage each way.
Below the old Oregon City Bridge (RM 26), remnants of the historic Oregon City steamboat landing are visible.
A series of public parks, islands and other access points, including Goat, Cedar and Hogg Islands, and Meldrum
Bar,
follow. Mary S. Young State Park (RM 24) no longer has a boat ramp. Roehr Park (RM 20) features a public
boat dock connected to an outdoor amphitheater. Elk Rock Island (RM 19) is accessible by boat.
The Sellwood Bridge (RM 17) is the first of 10 vehicle bridges crossing the Willamette within Portland. Oaks
Bottom
(RM 16) and Ross Island (RM 15) represent important wildlife habitat. Just beyond the Ross Island
Bridge
is the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (R) and the U.S.S. Blueback sub marine. River place (RM
13), which has a 24-hour public dock (reser vations required), is within walking 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 commercial vessels in the Portland harbor.
The Fremont Bridge (RM 11) and the majestic St. Johns Bridge (RM 6.1) follow. The spires of the St. Johns bridge
rise to an imposing 418 feet, forming the northern river gateway to Portland.
MAJOR FEATURES
46
Champoeg
State Park
Site of the settlers’
convention of May 2,
1843, which deter mined
formation of the provisional
government of the Oregon
country.
34
Canby Ferry
Ferry was established
in 1911; often called the
“Clackamas County Navy”.
27
Willamette Falls
A 41-foot-high falls passable
only using the adjacent
locks.
26
Oregon City
First incorporated city
westoftheRockies(1844)
and terminus of the
Oregon Trail.
8
Waud Bluff
Site of the University
of Portland and fur thest
upriver landing of Lewis
and Clark’s expedition
in 1806.
ABOVE: Downtown Portland waterfront
EXCURSIONS
A day-long round-trip
boat ex cursion can be
enjoy ed by putting in at
Clackamette Park and
proceeding upriver through
the Willamette Falls Locks
to Molalla or Champoeg state parks. At cruise speed
(15knots),rivertraveltimeisabout3hoursforthe
round trip. Add 4 hours for pass age through the locks,
a lunch break, and sightseeing.
Estimated round trip: 7 hours.
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
P A C I F I C O C E A N
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGE
GROVE
THE LOWER
MAINSTEM
NEWBERG
OSMB
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.
WR, Travis Williams
27
www.boatoregon.com
THE LOWER MAINSTEM—NEWBERG TO PORTLAND
WILSONVILLE
NEWBERG
BUTTEVILLE
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N
C
O
U
N
T
Y
C
U
R
R
E
N
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
MARION COUNTY
YA M H I LL C O U N T Y
CL A C K A M AS C O U N TY
WASHINGTON COUNTY
B
U
T
T
EV
I
L
L
E
R
D
W
I
L
S
O
N
V
I
L
LE R
219
99
W
ASH
ISLAND
R
I
V
E
R
R
D
FR
E
N
C
H
P
R
A
I
R
I
E
R
D
B
U
T
T
E
V
ILLE
R
D
W
E
S
T
O
N
R
D
W
IL
S
O
N
V
I
L
L
E
R
D
FORMER SITE
OF TOWN OF
CHAMPOEG
5
39
45
50
FRENCH PRAIRIE ACCESS
CHAMPOEG STATE PARK
PARRETT MOUNTAIN
ACCESS
RODGERS LANDING
55
OPRD
OPRD
YAMHILL COUNTY
NH
NH
NH
HESS CREEK LANDING
OPRD
C
H
A
M
P
O
E
G
R
D
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
Ash Island: Ash Island is
used for farming. A pri-
vate ferry is visible from
themain(R)channel.
Bass fishing is popular on
left channel. Caution: The
entrance to the left chan-
nel is hazardous because
of water dam at channel
entrance.
Butteville: A marker along
the river denotes the location
of an old landing founded in
1845 to com pete with nearby
Champoeg. The area between
the Pudding River, which
enters the Molalla River at
Molalla River State Park, and
the Willamette was originally
settled by French-Canadian
retirees from the Hudson’s
Bay Company. Hence, the
area is some times called
“French Prairie”.
Champoeg State Park:
Pivotal site in the forma-
tion of the provisional
government of Oregon
in 1843. Champoeg was
platted as a town in 1852,
but a disastrous flood
in 1861 virtually wiped
it out. A flood in 1890
finished the job. Now a
state park, Champoeg was
the site of the last upriver
steamboat visit—by the
“Claire”—sponsored by
the Veteran Steam boat-
men’s Association in 1952.
Fairfield: One of the
most important pioneer
steamboat landings and
shipping ports for wheat
grown in the French
Prairie area. Estab lished
in 1851 along what is now
the Salem-St. Paul road.
Only vague traces remain
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
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
public land
NH
LEGEND
RM to
55 39
IV
28
www.oregonstateparks.org
THE LOWER MAINSTEM—NEWBERG TO PORTLAND
MILWAUKIE
LAKE OSWEGO
GLADSTONE
OREGON
CITY
WEST LINN
WILSONVILLE
L
A
K
E
O
S
W
E
G
O
C
L
A
C
K
A
M
A
S
R
I
V
E
R
T
U
A
L
A
T
I
N
R
I
V
E
R
M
O
L
A
L
L
A
R
I
V
E
R
C
U
R
R
E
N
T
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
WA S H IN G T O N C O U N T Y
CL A C K A M AS C O U N TY
MULTNOMAH
CLACKAMAS
99
E
205
205
99
E
5
99
W
5
43
CEDAR
ISLAND
GOAT
ISLAND
HOGG
ISLAND
WILLOW
ISLAND
HISTORIC
CANEMAH
TOWNSITE
M
O
UNTAIN RD
H
O
F
F
M
A
N
R
D
HOLLY ST
S
T
A
F
F
O
R
D
RD
212
5
20
17
GEORGE ROGERS PARK
JEFFERSON STREET
BOAT RAMP
OAK GROVE
BOAT RAMP
MARY S. YOUNG
PARK
ADAM CLARK COVE
CEDAR OAK
BOAT 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
CANBY
FERRY
WILLAMETTE
MERIDIAN LANDING
BOONES FERRY
PUBLIC RAMP
WILSONVILLE
MEMORIAL PARK
MOLALLA RIVER
STATE PARK
25
30
35
39
BOATWORKS LTD. MARINA
RIVERFRONT PARK
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
CITY OF GLADSTONE
CITY OF GLADSTONE
CITY OF OREGON CITY
WESTBRIDGE PARK
“MCLEAN HOUSE”
CITY OF WEST LINN
CITY OF WEST LINN
CITY OF WEST LINN
BERNERT LANDING
CITY OF WEST LINN
OPRD
CITY OF CANBY
OPRD
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
CITY OF WILSONVILLE
CITY OF WILSONVILLE
OPRD
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
CITY OF WEST LINN
CITY OF MILWAUKIE
(UNDEVELOPED)
RIVERVILLA PARK
N. CLACKAMAS PARKS & REC
(UNDEVELOPED)
RIVERSIDE PARK
CLACKAMAS WATER DISTRICT
NH
NH
NH
OREGON
CITY
BRIDGE
WILLAMETTE
FALLS LOCKS
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
ELK ROCK ISLAND
CITY OF MILWAUKIE
POWERS MARINE PARK
CITY OF PORTLAND
ROEHR PARK
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
S
S
KNIGHTS BRIDGE
ARNDT RD
NH
T
E
R
R
I
T
OR
IAL R
D
P
U
D
D
I
N
G
R
I
V
E
R
JON STORM PARK
FOOTHILLS PARK
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
CITY OF MILWAUKIE
CITY OF OREGON CITY
CITY OF OREGON CITY
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
Canby Ferry: Operates
daily year-round, except
in very high water. Hours
are 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Vehicles are $1.25; pedestri-
ans and bicycles are free.
Willamette Falls Locks:
Opened in 1873, the locks
were privately owned until
1915 when they were taken
over by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. Operates during the
summer Thursday - Monday
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allow
about an hour for passage
each way.
Tualatin River:
Canoes and kayaks
can navigate up
the Tualatin until
reaching low-head
dam about one
mile upriver.
Oregon City: Oregon City
was the first seat of orga-
nized govern ment west of
the Rockies; set tled in 1829
and, in the 1840s, became
the western terminus for
the Oregon Trail.
RM to
39 17
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
Fuel
Pump/Dump
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Hiking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
NH
LEGEND
Clean Marina
IV
29
www.boatoregon.com
THE LOWER MAINSTEM—NEWBERG TO PORTLAND
EAST BANK
ESPLANDE
LINNTON
PORTLAND
PORTLAND
ST. JOHNS
C
O
L
U
M
B
I
A
SMITH
LAKE
BYBEE
LAKE
HAYDEN
ISLAND
213
26
30
BY
G
I
L
LI
H
A
N
L
O
O
P
R
D
WAUD
BLUFF
SUTTLE RD
99
W
5
43
OREGON MUSEUM OF
SCIENCE & INDUSTRY
(U.S.S. BLUEBACK)
99
E
405
5
99
E
30
30
84
26
PORTLAND FIRE
BOAT STATION #6
5
10
15
RIVERPLACE
WILLAMETTE PARK
STAFF JENNINGS
MARINA
SELLWOOD
RIVERFRONT PARK
POWERS MARINE PARK
WAVERLY MARINA
OAKS BOTTOM
OAKS AMUSEMENT PARK
SWAN ISLAND
BOAT RAMP
KELLEY POINT PARK
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
ANKENY STREET
CITY OF PORTLAND
ST. JOHNS BRIDGE
ST. JOHNS RR BRIDGE
FREMONT BRIDGE
McCARTHY PARK
PORT OF PORTLAND
BROADWAY
BRIDGE
STEEL BRIDGE
BURNSIDE BRIDGE
MORRISON BRIDGE
HAWTHORNE BRIDGE
MARQUAM BRIDGE
ROSS ISLAND BRIDGE
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
SHERIFF RIVER PATROL
TOM McCALL
WATERFRONT PARK
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
SELLWOOD
BRIDGE
NH
NH
NH
NH
CATHEDRAL PARK
CITY OF PORTLAND
SAUVIE
ISLAND
C
O
L
U
M
B
I
A
R
I
V
E
R
0
17
S
S
PORTLAND
BOATHOUSE DOCK
NH
7
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
St. Johns Bridge:
This is the site of one of
Portland’s earliest ferries,
operated by James Johns
in 1852. Cathedral Park,
popular for watersports
and fishing, sits below the
bridge along the right bank.
Oaks Bottom: 160-acre
Oaks Bottom Wild life
Park has a great diversity
of plants and wildlife in
its forests, swamps, and
marshes. Heavily used by
herons, water fowl, and
small birds. Trailhead is at
SE 7th and Sellwood Blvd.
Also good for fishing for
crappie, bass, perch, and
crawfish.
Ross Island: Site of a
large sand and gravel
operation, and also the
location of a blue heron
rookery on northern end.
Portland: Portland, settled
in 1843, was platted by
Francis Pettygrove and
Asa Lovejoy in 1845. They
reportedly flipped a coin
to determine whether the
town should be named
Boston(afterBoston,Mass.)
orPortland(afterPortland,
Maine).Pettygrove,who
was 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
17 0
IV
30
m
V
MULTNOMAH CHANNEL
www.oregonstateparks.org
30
Multnomah Channel begins three miles upstream from the Willamette’s main confluence with the
Columbia. It traverses the west flank of Sauvie Island for 21 miles until it, too, connects with the
Columbia River (at St. Helens).
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, explorers for the young republic of the United States, noted
the island during their 1804-06 expedi tion, calling it Wapato Island after the large beds of arrow-
head, or wild potato, grow ing there. The Native American name for the plant is wapato. The island
was once a center of trade for Native Americans stretching from the Willamette Valley to Idaho and
Wyoming.
A French-Canadian employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company, Laurent Sauve, for whom Sauvie Island
is now named, established the first non-native settle ment in 1838—a dairy. Since then, little other
than agricultural development has occurred on the island. The channel is mostly a peaceful water way
featuring quiet moorages, lush vege tation, plentiful song birds and waterfowl.
RIVER MILEPOSTS
A series of moorages and marinas greets the boater between Multnomah Channel’s conflu-
ence with the Willamette and the Sauvie Island Bridge (RM 20). Sev eral moorages have boat
ramps available to the public, usually for a small fee.
Pastoral Sauvie Island, on the right, is popular for bicycle rides, nature walks, swimming beaches,
and its fruit and vegetable stands. Just inland is the hist oric Bybee-Howell House, a fine classical
revival house built in 1856 and restored by the Oregon Histor ical Society and maintained by metro.
It is open to the public during the summer.
The Sauvie Island Public Boat Ramp (RM 18) is just up river from Wapato Access (RM 17-18), near
one of the sites where Nathan iel Wyeth maintained an outpost called Ft. William from 1834-1836.
At Wapato Access is Hadley’s Landing (RM 17.5), a transient tie-up and trail.
About halfway down the channel, the Sauvie Island Wildlife Manage ment Area (RM 11-0) begins.
It is a major wintering and resting area for more than 300,000 ducks and geese. The refuge also
features 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 dur-
ing hunting season and in the spring.
Several parks and a marina can be found at the channel’s confluence with the Columbia. These
include Sand Island Marine Park at St. Helens in the Columbia River, St. Helens Landing and
Columbia View Park. Scappoose Bay, a 6-mile-long backwater parallel to the channel, also con-
tains a boat ramp and marina. Scappoose Bay Landing is a large state greenway parcel between the
bay and Multnomah Channel.
MAJOR FEATURES
21
M
Sauvie Island
An important Native American trading
grounds.
11
M
Bybee-Howell House
A fine 1856 classical revival home on Sauvie
Island; its ample grounds and orchards are
ideal for picnics.
0
M
Sauvie Island Wildlife
Manage ment Area
Contains 12,000 acres of shallow lakes and
sloughs suitable for canoeing, fishing, and
nature viewing.
0
St. Helens
Established in 1847 by Henry M. Knighton.
Just upriver, the little town of Milton was
washed away in the 1861 flood.
EXCURSIONS
ABOVE: Rocky Pointe Marina
RIGHT: Tree Swallow near the Willamette River
Take Multnomah Channel to
the Sauvie Island boat ramp
or Hadley’s Land ing. Take a
stroll—or ride bikes—on
the island. Gillihan Loop
Road is a flat 12-mile loop through farmland, past
vegetable stands and the historic Bybee-Howell House.
Estimated time: About an hour by bicycle.
Hike to Wapato Access or walk northeasterly to the Sauvie
IslandWildlifeManagementarea(about3miles).Great
for birdwatching, but observe seasonal restrictions.
PORTLAND
SALEM
NEWBERG
P A C I F I C O C E A N
ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGE
GROVE
MULTNOMAH
CHANNEL
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.
OPRD
31
www.boatoregon.com
MULTNOMAH CHANNEL
SCAPPOOSE
BURLINGTON
LINNTON
ST. JOHNS
C
O
L
U
M
B
I
A
R
I
V
E
R
C
O
L
U
M
B
I
A
G
I
L
B
E
R
T
R
I
V
E
R
M
U
L
T
N
O
M
A
H
C
H
A
N
N
E
L
S
T
U
R
G
E
O
N
L
A
K
E
COLUMBIA COUNTY
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
G
I
L
L
I
H
A
N
L
O
O
P
R
D
BYBEE-HOWELL
HOUSE
OAK
ISLAND
SAUVIE ISLAND GAME
MANAGEMENT HQ
R
E
ED
ER
R
D
C
O
L
U
M
B
I
A
A
V
E
E
SUTTLE RD
REEDER RD
HAPPY ROCK MOORAGE
ROCKY POINTE MARINA
WAPATO ACCESS
SAUVIE ISLAND BOAT RAMP
LARSON’S MARINA
MULTNOMAH YACHT HARBOR
FRED’S MARINA
KELLEY POINT PARK
CATHEDRAL PARK
SAUVIE
ISLAND
WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT
AREA
ODFW
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)
SAUVIE
ISLAND
CITY OF PORTLAND
S
S
OAK ISLAND BOAT RAMP
S
7
McCUDDYS LANDING
COLUMBIA COUNTY
BOAT RAMP
COLUMBIA COUNTY
S
W
A
S
H
I
N
G
T
O
N
30
30
30
BYBEE
LAKE
SMITH
LAKE
NH
DIKESIDE MOORAGE
RIVER’S BEND
MARINA
McCUDDYS BIG OAK
MARINA
S
CHANNEL ISLAND MARINA
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
RM M to M
21 8
Wapato Access,
named for the wapato
plant that was a staple food
for Willamette Valley and
Columbia Basin Indians, is a
hikeable greenway parcel.
Sturgeon Lake and other
waters in Sauvie Island
Wild life Manage ment
area offer good panfish
fishing. Bank fishing can
be done from Oak Island
along the southwestern
shore of Sturgeon Lake.
Footbridges along Pete’s
Slough, south of Big
McNary Lake, provide
additional access for fish-
ing and wildlife viewing.
Ft. William on Sauvie
Island was one of the early
Euro-American trading sites
in the Willamette basin. It
was founded in 1834 by
Nathaniel J. Wyeth, but short-
ly thereafter was moved to
the Multnomah Channel side
of the island and was aban-
doned two years later.
Multnomah Channel
is popular during the
spring and winter
for anglers seeking
chinook salmon and
steelhead. The spring
chinook run in the
Willamette—greatly
aided by fish passage
improvements at
Willamette Falls and
the 1960s cleanup
of the river—has
historically been the
Willamette’s largest
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
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Fuel
Pump/Dump
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Hiking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
NH
LEGEND
Clean Marina
V
32
www.oregonstateparks.org
MULTNOMAH CHANNEL
ST. HELENS
SCAPPOOSE
C
O
L
U
M
B
I
A
R
I
V
E
R
C
O
L
U
M
B
I
A
R
I
V
E
R
C
H
A
N
N
E
L
C
H
A
N
N
E
L
S
C
A
P
P
O
O
S
E
B
A
Y
C
R
A
N
E
M
c
N
A
R
Y
L
A
K
E
L
A
K
E
S
T
U
R
G
E
O
N
L
A
K
E
G
I
L
B
E
R
T
R
I
V
E
R
M
U
L
T
N
O
M
A
H
OAK
ISLAND
COLUMBIA COUNTY
MULTNOMAH COUNTY
G
I
L
L
I
H
A
N
L
O
O
P
R
D
R
E
E
D
E
R
R
D
REEDER RD
SAND ISLAND MARINE PAR
K
COURTHOUSE DOCKS
SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINA
SCAPPOOSE BAY LANDING
GILBERT RIVER TIE-UP
JJ COLLINS (COON ISLAND)
MEMORIAL PARK
HAPPY ROCK MOORAGE
ST. HELENS MARINA
SAUVIE
ISLAND
WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT
AREA
ODFW
0
SAUVIE
ISLAND
WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT
AREA
ODFW
CITY OF ST. HELENS
PORT OF ST. HELENS
OPRD
COLUMBIA COUNTY
MCCUDDYS LANDING
ROCKY POINTE MARINA
COLUMBIA COUNTY
BOAT RAMP
COLUMBIA COUNTY
GILBERT RIVER BOAT RAMP
ODFW & COLUMBIA COUNTY
COLUMBIA COUNTY
S
OAK ISLAND BOAT RAMP
S
S
15
10
5
W
A
S
H
I
N
G
T
O
N
30
30
CITY OF ST. HELENS
DIKESIDE MOORAGE
RIVER’S BEND MARINA
Maps are generally accurate, but do not display all navigational hazards, including impassable channels, in-water obstructions or rapids. Boaters beware: river conditions change frequently.
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
NORTH
Coon Island, JJ Collins
Park on Coon Island is one
of the few places on the
channel where camp ing is
permitted.
Wildlife viewing: The Sauvie
Island Wildlife Management
Area is an excellent place to
enjoy bird watching and partake
in other recreational activi ties.
Check rules on viewing restric-
tions during the hunting season
and spring. Picnicking and other
day-use activities are allowed
provided they do not conflict with
fish and wildlife needs. Sites are
not developed for these uses,
drinking water is not available,
and restrooms are primitive.
Public access: Users of the
game manage ment area
must purchase and display
an annual or daily parking
permit while parked on
state lands on Sauvie Island.
Annual permits cost $25.00
and daily permits cost $3.00.
Several local vendors near or
on Sauvie Island sell permits.
It should be remem bered
that the State of Oregon does
not own all of the land on the
north end of the island and
none on the southern end.
Care should be taken not to
trespass on private property.
Fuel
Pump/Dump
Hunting
Bicycling
Water
Camping
Power line
S
Boat
access
Vehicle
access
Public dock
transient use
Navigation
hazards
Restrooms
Boat ramp
Supplies
Picnicking
Hiking
Boat
camping
Division of
State Lands
NH
LEGEND
Clean Marina
RM M to M
16 0
V
33
www.boatoregon.com
33
t
Willamette River
PUBLISHED BY:
Oregon State Marine Board
Oregon Parks and Recrea tion Depart ment
WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BY:
Dean Smith & Associates
DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY:
In House Graphics
EDITED BY:
Ashley Massey and Justin Hogan, OSMB
RESEARCH ASSISTANCE:
Faith Ruffing/Sun Mountain Reflections
Benton County Sheriff’s
Marine Patrol
Clackamas County
Sheriff’s Marine Patrol
Lane County Sheriff’s
Marine Patrol
Multnomah County
Sheriff’s Marine Patrol
Polk County Sheriff’s
Marine Patrol
Yamhill County Sheriff’s
Marine Patrol
Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality
Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife
Oregon Division
of State Lands
Oregon State Historic
Preservation Office
Oregon Tourism Division
U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
City of Eugene
Outdoor Program
Willamalane Park District
Nature Conservancy
CG White Cartography
The Willamette River Water Trail was an idea originated by
Governor Ted Kulongoski’s 2004 Willamette River Legacy,
adopted as a prime water trail in the 2005 Oregon Parks
and Recreation State Trails Plan, and formally dedicated in
June 2007.
A water trail is a stretch of river, a shoreline, or an ocean that
has been mapped out with the intent to create an educational,
scenic, and environmentally-rewarding experience for boaters,
especially recreational canoers and kayakers. Water trails and
hiking trails have a lot in common: they can be short or long;
historic or scenic; remote or populated; or challenging or
relaxing. Water trails are characterized by good, well-signed
access to especially interesting public properties, usually
described through user-friendly maps or guide books.
WR, Travis Williams
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
WATER TRAIL
THE
There are already over 100 publicly-owned properties that are
well-distributed along the River’s entire length-many with easy
public access. About 70 percent of Oregonians live within 20
miles of the Willamette. The most recent studies indicated that
Oregonians are seeking more natural recreation opportunities
(nature viewing alone grew by over 250% in the Willamette
Valley from 1987-2002) through travel to destinations closer-
to-home.
The Willamette River Water Trail is an opportunity that has been
waiting to happen – the land and water base is ready-to-go,
and it comes with a booming population right next to it that’s
becoming more interested in paddling every day. This means
that the Willamette River Water Trail represents a resource that
benefits both local economies and the environment. The Water
Trail can become a signature Oregon recreation experience, and
offers promising opportunities for public-private partnerships.
The Willamette River Water Trail creates new opportunities for
experiencing Oregon – for example, the chance for a paddler
to canoe from Eugene to the sea, as the Willamette River Water
Trail links up with the Lower Columbia River Water Trail.
A key objective of the water trail is to encourage more people
to visit the river and recreate respectfully. Once they personally
experience its natural beauty, history, and charm – taking care
of the river and its watershed will become second-nature. State
and local agencies are scheduling improvements to make sure
the Willamette River Water Trail offers a quality experience for
all who travel on it. Water trail guide books are available that
will help new visitors and old-timers alike enjoy and protect the
river. For more information, visit www.willamettewatertrail.org
and click on the Water Trail link.
34
www.oregonstateparks.org
EMERGENCY
All locations 9-1-1
Oregon Emergency Management System
(pollution spills) 1-800-452-0311
TOWING SERVICES (PRIVATE)
Rocky Pointe Marina (Ch. 16) 1-503-543-7003
1-866-838-2628
Seatow – Lower Columbia River 1-503-452-1189
SHERIFF’S MARINE PATROLS
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
(St. Helens) 1-503-366-4614
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
(Portland) 1-503-988-6788
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
(Oregon City) 1-503-655-8218
Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office
(McMinnville) 1-503-434-7506
Polk County Sheriff’s Office (Dallas) 1-503-623-9251
Benton County Sheriff’s Office
(Corvallis) 1-541-766-6858
Lane County Sheriff’s Office (Eugene) 1-541-682-8599
CITY PARKS/BOAT RAMPS
City of St. Helens 1-503-397-3532
City of Portland 1-503-823-2525
City of Lake Oswego 1-503-636-9673
City of West Linn 1-503-557-4700
City of Gladstone 1-503-656-5225
City of Oregon City 1-503-496-1201
City of Hillsboro 1-503-681-6120
City of Wilsonville 1-503-570-1584
City of Salem Parks Operations Division 1-503-588-6336
City of Independence 1-503-838-1212
City of Albany 1-541-917-7777
City of Corvallis 1-541-766-6918
City of Harrisburg 1-541-995-6655
City of Eugene 1-541-682-4800
City of Eugene Parks & Open Space 1-541-682-4800
Willamalane Park District Parks Services 1-541-736-4104
COUNTY PARKS/BOAT RAMPS
Columbia County (St. Helens) 1-503-397-2353
Port of St. Helens 1-503-397-2888
Metro (Portland) 1-503-797-1850
Multnomah County (see Metro)
North Clackamas Park District 1-503-794-8002
Clackamas County 1-503-353-4414
Clackamas River Water (Clackamas) 1-503-722-9220
Yamhill County (McMinnville) 1-503-434-7463
Marion County Wheatland Ferry Only 1-503-588-5036
Polk County (Dallas) 1-503-623-8172
Linn County (Albany) 1-541-967-3917
Benton County (Corvallis) 1-541-766-6871
Lane County (Eugene) 1-541-682-2000
FISHING
Fishing Report (ODFW) 1-503-947-6000
Oregon Bass and Panfish Club (Portland)
1-503-282-2852
Oregon Trout (Portland) 1-503-222-9091
Northwest Steelheaders (Milwaukie) 1-503-653-4176
Willamette Falls Fish Count (Oregon City) 1-503-657-2000
ext. 399
MULTNOMAH COUNTY BRIDGES
Bridge operations and maintenance
(Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) 1-503-248-3757
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Oregon River Forecast (recorded) 1-503-261-9246
Portland Weather Bureau 1-503-326-2340
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Oregon Historical Society (Portland) 1-503-222-1741
Nature Conservancy (Portland) 1-503-230-1221
Audubon Society of Portland 1-503-292-6855
Tualatin Riverkeepers 1-503-620-7507
Cascade Canoe Club of Salem 1-503-361-7824
Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club
(Corvallis) www.wkcc.org
Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club (Portland) www.okcc.org
Pacific Rivers Council (Eugene) 1-541-345-0119
River Network (Portland) 1-503-241-3506
Willamette Riverkeeper (Portland) 1-503-223-6418
Lower Columbia Canoe Club, Inc.
(Portland) www.l-ccc.org
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive
Center (Oregon City) 1-503-657-9336
OREGON STATE MARINE BOARD
OSMB web site www.boatoregon.com
Boating information, classes,
boat registration (Salem) 1-503-378-8587
Oregon Adopt-A-River (Statewide) 1-800-333-SOLV
OREGON PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Camping, reservations only (statewide) 1-800-452-5687
Camping and recreation,
information only (statewide) 1-800-551-6949
State Historic Preservation Office
(Salem) 1-503-986-0671
Willamette Greenway program (Salem) 1-503-986-0707
Headquarters Office 1-503-986-0707
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE
Fish & wildlife report,
general information (Salem) 1-503-947-6000
U.S. COAST GUARD
Portland (Swan Island) 1-503-240-9310
Customer Infoline
(Boating Safety Hotline) 1-800-368-5647
Search & Rescue, emergency (Portland) 1-503-240-9300
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Willamette Falls Locks 1-503-656-3381
Information Center 1-503-808-5150
“The rivers are
our broth ers, they
quench our thirst.
The rivers carry our
canoes and feed our
children. If we sell
you our land, you
must remember and
teach your child-
ren that the rivers
are our brothers
and yours, and you
must henceforth
give the
rivers the kind ness
you would owe
any brother.”
—Chief Seattle,
Suquamish tribe
EM 8598
Extension Service, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Lyla Houglum,
interim director. This publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May
8 and June 30, 1914. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Depart ment
of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University 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 or Vietnam-era veteran status—as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehab ilitation Act of 1973. Oregon
State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
34
RESOURCES
35
INDEX
www.boatoregon.com
Facility ....................................... Page ...... Location
Alton Baker Eastgate Woodlands ................16 ..... Willamette
Alton Baker Park & Waterway...............16/19 ..... Willamette
American Bottom Landing ..........................23 ..... Willamette
Anderson Park .............................................20 ..... Willamette
Ankeny Street Public Boat Dock ..................29 ..... Willamette
Armitage County Park .................................19 ........McKenzie
Beacon Landing ...........................................19 ..... Willamette
Bellevue Point ..............................................31 ....Willamette/
................................................................................. Columbia
Beltline West Boat Ramp .............................19 ..... Willamette
Bernert Landing...........................................28 ..... Willamette
Black Dog Landing ......................................23 ..... Willamette
Blue Ruin Island ..........................................19 ..... Willamette
Boatworks Ltd. Marina ................................28 ..... Willamette
Boone’s Ferry Park .......................................28 ..... Willamette
Boone’s Ferry Public Ramp ..........................28 ..... Willamette
Bowers Rock State Park .........................21/23 ..... Willamette
Bowman Park ........................................21/23 ..... Willamette
Bristow Landing ..........................................16 ......Coast Fork
Brown’s Boat Skid........................................19 ..... Willamette
Bryant Park ............................................21/23 ..... Willamette
Buckskin Mary Landing ..............................20 ..... Willamette
Buena Vista Park .........................................23 ..... Willamette
Camas Swale Landing ..................................16 ......Coast Fork
Cathedral Park .......................................29/31 ..... Willamette
Cedar Oak Boat Ramp .................................28 ..... Willamette
Champoeg State Park ..................................27 ..... Willamette
Channel Island Marina ...............................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Christensen’s Boat Ramp ............................19 ..... Willamette
Clackamette Park ........................................28 ..... Willamette
Clearwater Boat Ramp ...........................16/17 ....Middle Fork
Cloverdale Access ........................................16 ......Coast Fork
Coalca Landing ............................................28 ..... Willamette
Columbia County Boat Ramp ...............31/32 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Corvallis Commemorative
Riverfront Park ............................................21 ..... Willamette
Cottage Grove Reservoir Dam .....................15 ......Coast Fork
Cougar Mountain Access ............................16 ......Coast Fork
Courthouse Docks .......................................32 ...... Columbia
Crystal Lake Boat Ramp ..............................21 ..... Willamette
Dahl Park ....................................................28 ..... Willamette
Darrow Bar Access .......................................24 ..... Willamette
Darrow Rocks Landing ................................24 ..... Willamette
Dayton Boat Ramp ......................................25 ...........Yamhill
Delta Ponds .................................................19 ..... Willamette
Dikeside Moorage ..................................31/32 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Dorris Ranch Living History Farm ..............16 ....Middle Fork
East Bank Esplande......................................29 ..... Willamette
East Bank Park .............................................19 ..... Willamette
Edinger Landing ..........................................25 ..... Willamette
Eldridge Bar Landing ...................................25 ..... Willamette
Elijah Bristow State Park .............................17 ....Middle Fork
Elk Rock Island ............................................28 ..... Willamette
Emil Mark/ Lloyd Strange Fishing Hole ......24 ..... Willamette
Fish Eddy Landing .......................................28 ..... Willamette
Foothills Park ..............................................28 ..... Willamette
Franklin Park Greenway ..............................16 ..... Willamette
Fred’s Marina ..............................................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
French Prairie Access ...................................27 ..... Willamette
George Rogers Park ......................................28 ..... Willamette
Giddings Creek Landing ..............................15 ......Coast Fork
Gilbert River Boat Ramp..............................32 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Gilbert River Tie-Up ....................................32 ............Gilbert
Glassbar Island Landing ..............................16 ......Coast Fork
Grand Island Access ....................................25 ..... Willamette
Facility ....................................... Page ...... Location
Green Island Landing ..................................17 ....Middle Fork
Hadleys Landing ..........................................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Half Moon Bend Landing............................21 ..... Willamette
Halls Ferry Landing .....................................24 ..... Willamette
Happy Rock Moorage ............................31/32 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Harkens Lake Landing .................................20 ..... Willamette
Harrisburg Park ...........................................20 ..... Willamette
Hebb Park ....................................................28 ..... Willamette
Hess Creek Landing .....................................27 ..... Willamette
Hoacum Island Landing ..............................21 ..... Willamette
Howard Buford Recreation Area ..................17 ......
Coast Fork
Hyak Park ..............................................21/23 ..... Willamette
Independence Bar Landing ..........................23 ..... Willamette
Independence Riverview Park ......................24 ..... Willamette
Independence Island ...................................24 ..... Willamette
Island Park .............................................16/19 ..... Willamette
Irish Bend ....................................................20 ..... Willamette
Jackson Bend Landing .................................25 ..... Willamette
Jasper Bridge Access .....................................17 ....Middle Fork
Jasper Bridge Ramp ......................................17 ....Middle Fork
Jasper State Rec. Site ....................................17 ....Middle Fork
Jefferson Street Boat Ramp ..........................28 ..... Willamette
JJ Collins (Coon Island) ..............................32 ....Multnomah
Memorial Park ................................................. ........ Channel
Jon Storm Park ............................................28 ..... Willamette
Keiser Rapids Park .......................................24 ..... Willamette
Kelley Point Park ...................................29/31 ....Willamette/
................................................................................. Columbia
Kiger Island Landing....................................21 ..... Willamette
Lakeside Park ...............................................15 ......Coast Fork
Larson’s Marina ..........................................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Lincoln Access .............................................24 ..... Willamette
Log Jam Access ............................................17 ....Middle Fork
Log Jam Landing ..........................................17 ....Middle Fork
Lowell State Rec. Site ...................................17 ....Middle Fork
Lucky’s Landing Marina ..............................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Luckiamute Landing ....................................23 ..... Willamette
Lynx Hollow Access .....................................15 ......Coast Fork
Marshall Island Access ................................19 ..... Willamette
Marshall Island Landing .............................19 ..... Willamette
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Alan Berg Park
s .. 21 ..... Willamette
Mary S. Young Park .....................................28 ..... Willamette
Maurice Jacobs Park/ River House
Outdoor Program ........................................19 ..... Willamette
McCarthy Park ............................................29 ..... Willamette
McCartney Park ..........................................20 ..... Willamette
McLane Island .............................................24 ..... Willamette
McCuddys Landing ...............................31/32 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Meldrum Bar Park .......................................28 ..... Willamette
Michael’s Landing .......................................21 ..... Willamette
Millrace Park ......................................... 16/19 ..... Willamette
Minto-Brown Island ....................................24 ..... Willamette
Molalla River State Park ..............................28 ........... Molalla
Multnomah Yacht Harbor ...........................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Oak Grove Boat Ramp ................................28 ..... Willamette
Oak Island Boat Ramp ..........................31/32 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Oaks Amusement Park ................................29 ..... Willamette
Oaks Bottom ...............................................29 ..... Willamette
OPRD ..........................................................16 ......Coast Fork
OPRD ..........................................................17 ....Middle Fork
Owen Rose Garden .....................................19 ..... Willamette
Palma Ciea Park ..........................................24 ..... Willamette
Parrett Mountain Access .............................27 ..... Willamette
Pengra Access ..............................................17 ....Middle Fork
Facility ....................................... Page ...... Location
Peoria Park ..................................................21 ..... Willamette
Pine Meadows Campground .......................15 ......Coast Fork
Pioneer Boat Basin ......................................21 ..... Willamette
Pisgah Landing ......................................16/18 ....Middle Fork
Portland Boathouse Dock ...........................29 ..... Willamette
Powers Marine Park...............................28/29 ..... Willamette
Primitive Campground ................................15 ......Coast Fork
Riverfront Park (Milwaukie) .......................28 ..... Willamette
River Jetty Landing ......................................21 ..... Willamette
Riverplace ....................................................29 ..... Willamette
River’s Bend Marina ..............................31/32 ...Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
River’s Edge Park .........................................24 ..... Willamette
Riverside Landing ........................................21 ..... Willamette
Riverside Park ..............................................28 ......Clackamas
Rock Island Landing ....................................28 ..... Willamette
Rocky Pointe Marina .............................31/32 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Rogers Bend Landing ...................................19 ..... Willamette
Rodger’s Landing .........................................27 ..... Willamette
Roehr Park ...................................................28 ..... Willamette
Salem Riverfront Park..................................24 ..... Willamette
Sam Daws Landing ......................................20 ..... Willamette
San Salvador Park ........................................25 ..... Willamette
Sand Island Marine Park .............................32 ....... Columbia
Santiam Rest Area Launch ..........................23 ..........Santiam
Sarah Helmick State Park ............................23 .... Luckiamute
Sauvie Island Boat Ramp .............................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Scandia Landing ..........................................19 ..... Willamette
Scappoose Bay Landing ...............................32 .......Scappoose
Bay
Scappoose Bay Marina.................................32 .......Scappoose
Bay
Seavy Landing ..............................................16 ......Coast Fork
Sellwood Riverfront Park .............................29 ..... Willamette
Shortridge Park ............................................15 ......Coast Fork
Sidney Access ...............................................23 ..... Willamette
Skinner Butte Park ......................................19 ..... Willamette
Spongs Landing Park ...................................24 ..... Willamette
Sportscraft Marina ......................................28 ..... Willamette
Spring Valley Access ....................................25 ..... Willamette
St. Helens Marina ........................................32 ....... Columbia
Staff Jennings Marina .................................29 ..... Willamette
Sunset Park ..................................................24 ..... Willamette
Swan Island Boat Ramp ...............................29 ..... Willamette
Takena Landing .....................................21/23 ..... Willamette
Tom McCall Waterfront Park......................29 ..... Willamette
Truax Island Access .....................................21 ..... Willamette
Wallace Marine Park ...................................24 ..... Willamette
Wapato Access .............................................31 ....Multnomah
................................................................................... Channel
Waverly Marina ...........................................29 ..... Willamette
Wells Island Park .........................................23 ..... Willamette
West Bank Park ...........................................19 ..... Willamette
Westbridge Park ...........................................28 ..... Willamette
West D Street Greenway .......................16/19 ..... Willamette
Wheatland Boat Ramp ................................25 ..... Willamette
Whitely Landing ..........................................19 ..... Willamette
Whitely Boat Ramp .....................................19 ..... Willamette
Willamette Falls Locks ................................28 ..... Willamette
Willamette Meridian Landing .....................28 ..... Willamette
Willamette Mission State Park ....................25 ..... Willamette
Willamette Park (Corvallis) ........................21 ..... Willamette
Willamette Park (West Linn) ......................28 ..... Willamette
Willamette Park (Portland) ........................29 ..... Willamette
Wilson Creek Park.......................................15 ......Coast Fork
Wilsonville Memorial Park .........................27 ..... Willamette
Windsor Island Access.................................25 ..... Willamette
Yamhill Landing ..........................................25 ..... Willamette
