Hello Folks -
I hope you all have had a good summer so far. While it feels a bit Fall-like these days, summer officially continues for another three weeks. This time of year is great for human-powered recreation along the Willamette.
Over the past few weeks I’ve had the chance to canoe the river several times. What has struck me most is the low water flows in the mainstem river, and some of its key tributaries. While such flows can make it easy to see the river bottom, with the potential benefit of identifying previously unknown freshwater mussel beds, it can also create hardship on a range of species due to elevated river temperatures.
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As most of you area aware, the Willamette’s flow is carefully controlled by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Corps’ dams on key Willamette River tributaries and the reservoirs the dams create. The Corps has a responsibility to not only provide enough flow for fish, but also enough flow in the mainstem river to keep temperatures from spiking, and to provide enough water to assimilate the wastewater that is pumped back into the Willamette once treated. Given how many cities are along the river, that can be a tall order. With Climate Change, the availability of water will become a bigger issue in the Willamette Basin. It is an issue that we will be fully engaged in. Frankly, it is fair to question how we use water, and the level of waste that is associated with current agricultural and municipal use. It is also fair to question how we use water to make our waste magically “go away.”
Speaking of the US Army Corps, based on our recent lawsuit, WR has thousands of documents that relate to the structural integrity of the aging dams in the Willamette system. We are continuing to evaluate the mass of information and plan to provide our insights to our members and the public soon.
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Finally, I want to thank many of you who responded to our Stewardship Fund announcement. Due to your support, we are starting a small endowed Fund that we can grow over time. The Fund will support ongoing work at WR’s conservation properties, as well as some operational expenses. Establishing this fund represents the evolution of our modest non profit, and a step that can provide increased impact over the years. If YOU are interested in how you can support and help us grow this fund, please get in touch with me, or Heather King.
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Thank you!
Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Photo 1: A newly found mussel bed in an unlikely place between McCartney Park and Harkens Lake.
Photo 2: A cedar waxwing flying from a willow at Willamette Riverkeeper's Norwood Island. Soon they will be headed south for the winter.
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Portland
9/8: Trash cleanup at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
9/16: River based trash cleanup at Ross Island
9/22: Autumn Equinox Sunset Paddle at Ross Island
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Newberg/St Paul
9/15: Trash cleanup at San Salvador Beach
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Corvallis
9/16: Invasive plant pull, mulch and cleanup at Orleans Natural Area
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Eugene/Springfield
9/14: River based trash cleanup from Aspen to Alton Baker
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Space is still available at our fall Harvest Paddle! September 2 is the last day to register for this weekend of paddling, camping, live music, beer tasting from local breweries, morning yoga, and catered meals.
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187 Miles of Wonder: Keep your eyes on our Facebook and Instagram feed from September 22 - 25, as a couple of your Willamette Riverkeeper favorites will paddle a long stretch of the Willamette and share stories from their journey along the way!
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Cleanup events are happening throughout the Willamette watershed, sign up for an event near you!
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Willamette Riverkeeper Sues USFS |
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As the US Forest Service plans to log along hundreds of roads within the Willamette National Forest, we have joined Cascadia Wildlands and Oregon Wild, with representation from Crag Law Center, to sue the USFS.
Clearing vegetation that is live and dead along 390 miles of roads will increase erosion and push more dirty water into the Willamette River. With that wash of turbid water into the river system, myriad species can be negatively affected - especially long-lived freshwater mussels. Such turbidity and loss of habitat is not healthy for aquatic species in our rivers.
Stay tuned for updates and find more information from a recent OPB article here.
Photo: Cascadia Wildlands from the proposed logging site on the McKenzie.
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Portland Refuses New Authorizations for
Zenith Oil Storage Facility
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On August 27, after months of work, the City of Portland declared that Zenith's oil-by-rail storage and transfer facility in NW Portland to be inconsistent with the City's land use rules. Zenith was denied their Land Use Compatibility Statement - a huge win for the Willamette River and Portland!
"Willamette Riverkeeper is proud to support the countless community members that have fought for years against Zenith Energy’s oil by rail expansion on the Willamette River, and the City of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services. Today, the City denied Zenith Energy’s Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS), which Zenith sought in its quest for a Title V Air Quality Permit needed for its proposed expansion. The City’s decision supports clean water, clean air, and takes a stand on steering the Willamette River towards meeting and exceeding Greenway, climate, and clean energy goals."
Eli Holmes, Willamette Riverkeeper Attorney
Thank you to everyone who has worked on and supported this work! You can find more information here.
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A Note From Our Restoration Interns |
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The Willamette River Basin is home to some of the largest floodplain forests in the state, in addition to a multitude of wetland ecosystems that host many culturally and ecologically significant species now considered endangered. Thanks to grants by the Oregon State Weed Board, we can survey and remove ODA-designated noxious aquatic weeds (such as water primrose, purple loosestrife and yellow floating heart, which we are pictured with below), while continuing to familiarize ourselves with an ever-changing river and the creatures who call it home. Through learning to navigate the river and becoming familiar with the expressions of health in the water, alongside the need and our desire to protect and restore this powerful river has deepened ever further. |
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This internship has been special for us for a multitude of reasons. Learning to read the river and work together to navigate sloughs, alcoves, and side channels, while paddling through vegetation dotted with frog eggs, beaver, and snakes, has brought us a new perspective on stewardship and responsibility for this water. On the banks, countless osprey and juvenile bald eagles catch fish that are vital components of a healthy river ecosystem we are all called to help nurture. Meeting others enjoying the river broadened our sense of community, and each paddle stroke brought us out of the autopilot of the everyday and into the importance of right relationship with our Willamette. We are thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the surveys and intern with the dedicated and knowledgeable professionals defending this beautiful waterway.
Alex Bans & Iris Asher
Willamette Riverkeeper is deeply appreciative of The Juan Young Trust for financially sponsoring these two internship positions, and the work we were able to accomplish with their assistance this summer.
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Welcome our Upper Watershed Community Engagement Intern, Jesse! |
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Willamette Riverkeeper welcomes our new Upper Watershed Community Engagement Intern, Jesse Kidd!
Jesse has already “jumped in with both feet”, working on the river to survey aquatic invasive, assisting in stewardship and paddling events, and handling logistics coordination for the Willamette River Festival. As a member of the Chinook Indian Nation, Jesse has helped to connect
conservation organizations and indigenous communities in work that is happening on their ancestral territory. Jesse is passionate about creating accessible outdoor recreation for people of color and low-income people. Jesse graduated from the Rachel Carson Environmental Science Academy with extensive studies in watershed ecology, forestry, and environmental policy. They have completed a two-year language course in Chinuk Wawa and participate in the Long Tom Watershed Council’s Traditional Ecological Inquiry Program, providing educational assistance in tradition techniques for Indigenous land management.
Welcome to the team Jesse!
Willamette Riverkeeper is grateful to The Juan Young Trust for financially sponsoring this late summer/fall internship in the Eugene area.
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Willamette River Festival Celebrates #OurWillamette |
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The 5th Annual Willamette River Festival engaged thousands of people with #OurWillamette through a week-long series of activities in the upper watershed.
A huge thank you to our presenting partners and all who participated. We can't wait for next year!
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Paddle. Camp. Repeat. Tees! Our newest t-shirt design is now available for just $25! These tri-blend tees come in a women's or men's fit, with the option of blue or gray. Purchase yours today!
Maps! We have a limited supply of Willamette River maps. You can purchase digital copies on the Willamette Water Trail website, as well as paper copies (waterproof of course) of the Upper and Lower Willamette River.
Willamette Water Trail Patches, we're selling them for just $5!
Coffee! Named for the 187 miles of the Willamette River, Pastor John's Blessed Beans, Roast #187 is available for purchase - 2lbs. for just $35.
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Willamette Water Trail Map Update
In Search of Graphic Designer
Willamette Riverkeeper is in search of a graphic designer to help us create the next version of our Willamette Water Trail maps... could it be you?
View project details here.
Proposals are due by October 1, 2021.
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Support Willamette Riverkeeper |
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