Willamette River

Recreation
Guide

DETAILED MAPS OF THE RIVER AND ITS RECREATIONAL RESOURCES

HISTORICAL AND WILDLIFE INFORMATION • STATE PARKS GUIDE
SUGGESTED EXCURSIONS • BOATING SAFETY TIPS
 30

Governor’s
WILLAMETTE RIVER MAP
SCAPPOOSE PAGE GUIDE

Message
29

27
Oregon is known to people worldwide
for its beauty, natural resources and P O RT L A N D

recreational opportunities. The

Willamette River, flowing from M I LWA U K I E
LAKE 26
one of the world’s most beautiful 25 OSWEGO

mountain ranges and through G L A DS T O N E

WEST LINN
one of its richest valleys, is a OREGON CITY
resource befitting this image. NEWBERG

One can find everything

along its shores from a graceful great 23
blue heron to a swooping bald eagle.

Contents
Its waters are home to salmon, sturgeon,
native cutthroat trout and many other
species. It supports varied recreational
22
opportunities—from boating and water-
skiing to fishing and nature viewing. SALEM Introduction 1
Beyond its natural beauty, the
Willamette is steeped in the history History of the Willamette 2-3
of Oregon territory. Pioneers by the
21 Plant and Animal Life 4-5
thousands in the mid-1800s ended
their long journeys on the Oregon Willamette-area wildlife refuges
Trail at Oregon City. For them, the
Boating on the Willamette 6-7
Willamette meant new hope
and opportunity. 19 River characteristics and hazards
ALBANY
Today, this living museum of COR VA LLI S Navigation aids
our natural and cultural history
is a year-round recreational Excursions and Outings 8-11
resource for all Oregonians River mileage and float times
as well as for our visitors. 18
Suggested fishing areas
This Willamette River
Recreation Guide is your Guide to Oregon State Parks
passport to use and enjoy Festivals and events
this great river. We hope
you accept the invitation. 17 River Guide and Maps 12-30
1 Middle and Coast Forks 12-15
2 Springfield to Albany 16-19
John A. Kitzhaber 15 3 Albany to St. Paul/Newberg 20-23
September 1, 1998 EUGENE 14
4 Newberg to Portland 24-27
5 Multnomah Channel 28-30
Keeping Our River Clean 31
13
COT TA G E
Resources 32
G R OVE
 Introduction
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
Public uses and
from a rushing mountain stream into a substantial river more than a quarter-mile across. recreational
opportunities
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The Willamette is a vital, multi- and navigational hazards. Although considerably
A great many pastimes
purpose waterway that touches tamed from the way explorers found it 200 years
This guide is an can be enjoyed on the
the lives of millions of people. It ago, the Willamette changes with each season and, Willamette. These
invitation for people
to return to the provides ports for commercial in the lower sections, with the daily tides. Never include boating,
river—to use it and barges and oceangoing ships, disregard its power camping, picnicking,
enjoy it. Hiking irrigation for crops sold world- or dismiss its hazards. swimming, hiking,
along its banks or wide, an abundant fishery, and In some areas, large bicycling, wildlife
cruising its waters
recreational opportunities. commercial barges and viewing, fishing and
allows one an
opportunity to step Nearly 70 percent of oceangoing vessels hunting. There are ten
back into Oregon’s Oregonians live within 20 miles present a hazard; in state parks, three
history to witness of the Willamette River. As impor- others, the sheer public ferries, and
the natural beauty number and variety more than 170 Oregon
tant as it is to us, the Willamette
and bountiful envi- State Willamette River
is relatively unknown to many of of activities engaged
ronment that was—
those who live near it. Although in by boaters and other Greenway parcels, city
and is—Oregon.
the river passes through nine river users is a danger. and county parks, boat
The guide also con- ramps, and Division of
counties and 19 cities, miles of its channels, sloughs
tains information State Lands parcels
and backwaters cannot be seen from roads or
about river history, along the river and its
towns. Many communities, no longer economically
plants, fish and wild- major tributaries. The
dependent on it, have turned their backs on the riv-
river provides habitat
er. The Willamette is often overlooked—so familiar life, environmental issues, boating safety, recrea-
for hundreds of types
a part of our landscape that it sometimes fades into tional activities and what to do in emergencies.
of plants, and many
the background. The list of resources on page 32 provides more
species of birds, fish
information. When planning an outing, check the
HOW TO USE THE GUIDE and animals.
appropriate river section in the guide. Outings
This guide is designed to make it easy to visit and and excursions are suggested in each A vast river system
experience the river whether by boat, bicycle, motor section and on pages 8-11. The Willamette River
vehicle or on foot. The guide divides the river into The Coast and Middle forks drains 12,000 square
five sections, beginning on page 12. For each sec- miles of land at an
are public to the “ordinary
tion, important features are described and map- average rate of flow
high” waterline on the
ped. These include state and local parks, state that would fill 175
riverbank. On the
greenway and Division of State Lands buildings the size of
main stem, unless property is specif-
Portland’s tallest
parcels, boat ramps, marinas, wildlife ically shown on the maps or signed
skyscraper every day.
areas and other points of interest. as public, it should be assumed that
The maps show public roads it is private above the “ordinary low”
that lead to greenway waterline. The maps also indicate
parcels, parks or other which islands are in public ownership
public access points. and available for camping or day use.
Each section also Care should be taken to respect private
highlights possi- property, especially when entering state
ble outings. greenway and other public parcels from
Maps in this the river. Respect all “no trespassing” and
guide show “no hunting” signs. There is plenty of land and ABOVE: Canoeing on
major features, water to enjoy. For more information on riverbed the McKenzie River,
channels, and riverbank ownership, see Who Owns the a Willamette tributary

sloughs, islands Waterways, Oregon Division of State Lands. ABOVE LEFT: Skiing on the
Willamette
 History of the Willamette
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—
Brush burning
the Willamette Valley.
A common Native
American practice was For Oregonians, lived near and along the Calapooia River. Other
to burn the Willamette BEAUTIFUL WILLAMETTE
the “Beautiful Kalapuyans included the Tualatin, Santiam,
Valley each fall at one From the Cascades’ frozen gorges,
Leaping like a child at play,
Willamette” is Yamhill and Luckiamute bands. Chinookean people
of its preserves in the more than just a occupied the lower Willamette below the falls. The
Winding, widening through the valley,
Willamette Valley. This
Bright Willamette glides away; lovely river. It is Clackamas were members of the Chinook family
created and maintain- Onward ever, a key part of our group. The native bands in the valley subsisted
ed the oak and grass- Lovely river, colorful history, mostly on nuts, berries and roots, although they
land savanna that Softly calling to the sea.
a working river also were good hunters—using the snare and trap
favored elk and deer as Time, that scars us,
Maims and mars us,
of vital econom- as effectively as the bow and arrow.
well as camas, tarweed
and acorn habitat— Leaves no track or trench on thee. ic importance, A smallpox epidemic in 1782-83, followed by
important foods for — SAMUEL L. SIMPSON, 1868 and a place to a malaria epidemic from 1830-33, wiped out 80
the native population. fish, boat, percent of the native people. By 1856, surviving
The cleared land recreate and relax—to enjoy the many virtues members of the various bands were resettled
helped in the gather- Oregon has to offer. under treaty onto the Grand Ronde reservation
ing of seeds, roots and The Willamette is one of the few major rivers in near Valley Junction.
bulbs, as well as creat- the U.S. that flows primarily north. So narrow and
EARLY SETTLEMENT
ing exposed areas for shallow in places that pioneers felled trees for
The Willamette River was first noted by English
easier hunting. The bridges, it widens to more than 2,000 feet across
navigator Lt. William R. Broughton, a member of
brush burning also in Portland. Originally, the river meandered in a
Capt. George Vancouver’s expedition, in 1792.
created major areas wide swath across the valley floor, changing chan-
Explorers Lewis and Clark, on behalf of the United
of open prairie that nels frequently to form new islands and oxbows.
attracted Euro-
States, ventured up it for about seven miles in 1806.
Today, the Willamette is rather tame by comparison.
American settlers The first Euro-Americans were the fur trappers,
Wing dams, revetments, dredging and flood control
because the land mostly working for the Hudson’s Bay Company at
projects have altered the flow patterns to create a
was already cleared. Ft. Vancouver, followed by the missionaries, who
simpler, deeper channel.
tried mightily to convert Native Americans to
Early traders
NATIVE AMERICANS Christianity. Following them were the settlers,
The first large vessel to
There is evidence of human presence in the mostly farmers, who crossed the Oregon Trail.
enter the Willamette
Willamette Valley as long as 10,000 Between 1840 and 1860, 53,000 of them reached
was the “Owyhee,” a
Boston trading ship
years ago, several thousand years after the valleys of Oregon.
that sailed to within a the close of the Ice Age, when Asiatics Oregon City figured
mile of Willamette Falls from what is now Siberia crossed prominently in early
in 1829—the same year over an Alaskan land bridge into history: not only was it
Hudson’s Bay Company North America. an early Euro-American
established an outpost Most of the Willamette settlement in Oregon, in
at Oregon City. Valley Native American 1844 it also became the
inhabitants were first city incorporated
Kalapuyans—a west of the Rockies. It
collection of was established by Dr.
bands that John McLoughlin,
shared the chief factor for the
same dialect. Hudson’s Bay Com-
One small pany at Ft. Vancouver,
band, the who is considered the
ABOVE: Modern-day brush
burning for biological Calapooia, “Father of Oregon.”
purposes
 Below the falls, Linnton, St. Johns, Portland,
Milwaukie, Linn City (now West Linn) and Oregon
City all competed fiercely for dominance. Portland
was the eventual winner. The river itself helped
settle the issue. The major 1861 flood, for
instance, 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
1861 FLOOD Bay Company, settled
The devastating 1861 around Champoeg
flood wiped out and St. Paul in what
scores of communi- became known as French
ties and landings,
Prairie. Their wheat and pro-
“sucking and sweep-
duce needed markets, and with
ing everything into its
path,” according to the 1849 California gold rush
one account. Historic came the need for a reliable
Champoeg was system of river commerce.
among the casualties,
inundated by more STEAMBOAT ERA
than 20 feet of water. 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 into the
Willamette Valley. River communities such as
Lincoln and Fairfield, once thriving trade centers,
were bypassed. In 1883, the transcontinental railroad
arrived in Portland, solidifying the iron link that
would siphon away much of the steamboat trade.
The arrival of roads and gasoline-powered
vehicles completed the transition away from river-
boat trade. By the early 1900s, it was possible to
maneuver a vehicle the full length of the valley,
and in 1919 the state published its first official
road map. Truck and rail transportation soon
dominated shipping in the valley. The steamboat
whistle was silenced.
OUR FORGOTTEN RIVER
Perhaps the most discouraging period in
the river’s history was that of the early
1900s, when the Willamette became First Oregon-built
heavily polluted and neglected. With steamer
the decline of river commerce, On Christmas Day,
wharves and docks were torn down. 1850, the 160-foot
steamboat “Lot
In some cities, roads or freeways
Whitcomb,” above,
replaced them; in others, new
was launched at the
industries located along the river.
Milwaukie basin. The
Soon, these industries began dump-
first steamboat built in
ing their wastes directly into the river.
Oregon, its sidewheels
Cities and towns did the same. By the 1930s,
measured 18 feet in
the river was almost biologically dead—and certain-
diameter. By 1878,
ly unsafe to swim. This condition persisted until
some 52 sidewheel
after World War II, when federally funded sewage
and sternwheel steam-
treatment facilities and other pollution controls
ers had been built
began to restore the river.
along the Willamette,
By the early 1970s, the cleanup of the Willamette most of them at
was a national success story. The river was declared Canemah just above
safe for swimming in 1972. These efforts not only Willamette Falls. In
made it possible for salmon and steelhead runs to 1854, at Canemah, the
rebound, they again made the river attractive for boilers on the steamer
boating, angling and other recreation. “Gazelle” exploded,
Helping with this turn-about was Oregon’s killing 24 people.
Willamette River Greenway Program. It was created
by the Oregon Legislature in 1967 as a testament to
the river’s historic and natural resource significance,
and its recreational potential. The greenway pro-
gram is a cooperative state and local government
effort to maintain and enhance the scenic, recrea-
tional, historic, natural and agricultural qualities of
the river and its adjacent lands.
THE MODERN DAY WILLAMETTE
Today’s river bustles with activity. Commercial
tugs and barges navigate the locks to move wood
chips, logs, sand and 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 boating, 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 public is reclaiming its river.
ABOVE LEFT:“Father of
In 1998, the Willamette was named an American Heritage Oregon” John McLoughlin
River, a federal designation to assist in restoring and
ABOVE: Sidewheeler “Lot
protecting the river.
Whitcomb”
 Plant and Animal Life
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,
Watchable wildlife
rare turtles, salamanders and numerous other animals along the river.
Oregon’s Watchable
Wildlife, a pamphlet of This variety makes the Willamette a favorite loca- Kingfishers, killdeer, mallard ducks and common
the Oregon Depart- tion for nature viewing, fishing and hunting. Having mergansers are often seen along the river. Occasion-
ment of Fish & Wildlife, public land and wildlife refuges near the river ally, the beautiful song of Oregon’s state bird—the
provides good infor- enhances these recreational oppor- western meadowlark—is heard.
mation about where to The pileated woodpecker and One of the largest
tunities. Care should be taken to
go to enjoy animal life. red-shafted flicker also abound. black cottonwoods
minimize human impact on this
in the United
Canada geese habitat. Many migratory birds, for
The Willamette runs
FISH States survives in
instance, are protected by state and Willamette Mission
down the center of
The spring chinook run is
federal law. Some plant and animal State Park—a 250-
the Pacific migratory the Willamette’s dominant run
species are listed as threatened or year-old giant mea-
flyway. Canada geese of anadromous fish (species that suring more than
endangered. In particular, nesting
begin showing up spawn in fresh water after grow- 26 feet around and
areas should not be disturbed.
along the Willamette in ing to adult size in the ocean). 155 feet in height.
Any destruction of protected habitat, violation of
mid-October, including This run now contributes sub-
fishing or hunting regulations, or any other threat
the rare dusky Canada stantially to the Columbia River commercial and
to protected species should be reported to the
goose for whose sport fisheries, as well as supporting a choice fish-
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW).
protection the national ery in the Willamette and its tributaries.
wildlife refuges in the BIRDS The salmon enter the river as early as February,
Willamette Valley were One of the most visible birds along the and typically pass over Willamette Falls in May and
originally created. Willamette is the great blue heron. Its rarer June. A smaller fall chinook run occurs in mid-
White sturgeon cousin, the green-backed heron, can occa- August to late September.
The largest fish in the sionally be seen as well. Nesting Steelhead enter the river in both
Willamette is the white areas, called rookeries, are found the summer and winter. Summer-
sturgeon, growing to in various locations, including run steelhead pass the falls from
more than 8 feet in Ross Island, Oaks Bottom, early March until October, fol-
length. These giants Goat Island, Molalla lowed by the winter steelhead
are fished mostly in the State Park, Luckiamute from early November to mid-
lower river. Popular Landing and Alton May. Cutthroat and rainbow
spots are below the Baker Park in Eugene. trout are most plentiful in
falls in Oregon City, Six state and national the waters above
and near Sellwood wildlife refuges are loca- Peoria. Willamette cut-
Riverfront Park, the ted along or near the riv- throat migrate into
Steel Bridge and the tributaries in the fall
er (see map and refuge
Rivergate industrial to spawn. Whitefish,
guide on page 5), repre-
district in Portland.
senting 24,000 acres of another member of the
Upriver, the mouth
important winter habitat trout family, also are
of the Long Tom is
for geese, ducks and swans. abundant in the upper
one of the better-
In addition, large raptors such Willamette.
known holes.
as the osprey, red-tailed hawk, Panfish are found wher-
great horned owl and bald ever the water slows and
eagle live along the waterway. warms—such as sloughs and
Songbirds such as the gold- quiet channels—or around
finch, tree swallow, dark-eyed jun- man-made structures. Crappie,
co and common yellowthroat flit bluegill and largemouth bass are
ABOVE: Baby raccoon around in trees and meadows. the most abundant, but smallmouth
ABOVE RIGHT: Camas lily
 bass, catfish and perch also can be found. Occa- seen. Oregon’s state animal, the beaver, can be
sionally walleye, found only below Willamette Falls, found in some locations.
are caught. The river corridor also features a variety of rep-
A wide variety of non-game fish are readily tiles and amphibians, including gopher snake, garter
available to the angler throughout the river. Some snake, ringneck snake, long-toed salamander, rough-
of the more common species include carp, sucker skinned newt, tree frog and the introduced bullfrog.
and squawfish. The rare western pond turtle and painted turtle only
Several good fishing areas are highlighted on remain in a few sloughs and oxbow lakes. WILDLIFE
page 10. VIEWING AREAS
VEGETATION There are many areas
ANIMALS The Willamette Valley and river system contain to enjoy the Willamette
Common mammals are black-tailed deer, a rich array of plant life. Early explorers found the River’s abundant wild-
raccoon, otter and nutria (a South American river lined for up to two miles on each side with life. They include:
import that is similar to a beaver, but smaller). dense forests. Burlington Bottom
Occasionally, a red fox, coyote or mink can be Trees such as black cottonwood, Oregon white A 428-acre area north
oak, Oregon ash, western red- of the Sauvie Island
WILDLIFE REFUGES ALONG THE WILLAMETTE cedar, big-leaf maple, Douglas bridge along the west
Sauvie Island Wildlife Management Area fir, grand fir, ponderosa pine side of Multnomah
SAUVIE ISLAND Take Highway 30 to 12,000 acres of state-owned habitat for and willow made up these Channel, set aside to
Sauvie Island bridge, wintering waterfowl, swans, herons, sand- impressive forests. Nearly all benefit wintering
proceed toward north end hill cranes, bald eagles and 250 other of it has been replaced by agri- waterfowl and associ-
PORTLAND
of Sauvie Island. Refuge species. Access restricted during the hunt-
TUALATIN
is off Reeder Road. ing season and spring. Fishing allowed. culture, gravel mining and ated wetland wildlife.
NEWBERG
urbanization. Forest remnants Oaks Bottom
99 W
5
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
are located at Luckiamute 160-acre preserve has
Landing, Willamette Mission a great diversity of
BASKETT Located along the Tualatin Newest national wildlife refuge in Oregon.
SLOUGH
SALEM
River east of Sherwood, Now less than 100 acres, it is expected State Park (on Grand Island) water features and
about 12 miles upriver to be expanded eventually to several and Scappoose Bay Landing. plant communities.
ANKENY
EE from its confluence with thousand acres. The river’s riparian areas
WILSON
Heavily used by heron,
the Willamette.
CORVALLIS
ALBANY and low wet areas along the waterfowl and smaller
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge river’s shorelines are abundant birds. Trailhead is at SE
FINLEY
From Rickreall (6 miles Features migratory waterfowl. By mid-
with lush growth. The sloughs, 7th Ave. and Sellwood
west of Salem), go west on November, large number of Canada islands, marshes and swamp Blvd. in Portland.
Highway 22. Refuge is geese, tundra swans, ducks and white areas are composed of trees, Luckiamute Landing
about 2 miles on the right. swans are present. Hunting permitted.
Public access limited Nov. 1 to April 15.
shrubs, grasses, wildflowers A good boat camping
and other herbaceous plants. spot and Willamette
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge These areas are of extreme greenway parcel oppo-
Exit I-5 10 miles south of 2,800 acres of floodplains that support importance to the health of site the mouth of the
Salem at the Ankeny Hill large populations of wintering Canada the river and support wildlife. Santiam River. Excellent
exit. Follow Wintel Road geese and ducks. Two loop trails. Hunting
west (toward Sidney) allowed. Public access limited Nov. 1 to
The vegetation filters and area for viewing rem-
about 2 miles to refuge April 15. purifies water as it moves into nants of the gallery
boundary. and along the river. The forests that used to
complex plant communities line the Willamette.
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area Ospreys, turkey vultures
provide valuable habitat for
Between Highway 99W State preserve features upland game
animals and insects that live and herons frequent
and the river, 10 miles birds, waterfowl, bald eagles, deer and the area.
north of Corvallis at other species. Hunting permitted in fall along the river. Large native
former Camp Adair and winter. Walk or bike on many miles of plant communities can be Middle Fork
Army post. old military roads.
found on Sauvie Island, Oaks Osprey, red-tailed
Bottom, Cardiani Bar near hawks and bald eagles
William J. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Yamhill Landing, Wells Island grace the skies. At
Drive south from Corvallis 5,235-acre refuge supports large con-
and the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Dexter Dam, watch
on Highway 99W about centrations of Canada geese, including
10 miles to entrance sign rare dusky Canada geese. Over 200 near Springfield. adult chinook salmon in
on west side of road. species of wildlife and numerous obser- fish ladder and holding
Turn west and follow vation sites. Hunting and fishing allowed. ponds from May-
signs about 4 miles to Public access limited Nov. 1 to April 15.
refuge office.
October.
ABOVE: Riparian vegetation
 Boating on the Willamette
The Willamette is one of Oregon’s most popular—and congested—waterways for boating.
Use of the river by recreational boaters increased 175 percent since 1978. In 1993, approximately
730,000 boat use days were logged—more than half of that in the lower 18 miles of the river
BOATERS’ within Multnomah County.
CHECKLIST
Powerboaters and sail- Boating activity on the Willamette includes ski BOAT SAFETY TIPS
boaters should have boats and runabouts, yachts, sailcraft, rowing shells Here are a few tips to make your outing safe
on board at all times: and sculls, canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, jet boats and pleasurable:
• Wearable U.S. Coast and personal watercraft (such as Jet Skis). • Check your boat and equipment prior to use,
Guard-approved life Shallow waters, changing stream conditions and especially fuel systems, lights and horns, motors,
jackets for each person rapids pose dangers along the Middle and Coast and trailers. Be alert for leaks.
on board
forks and in the Eugene-Springfield area. Much of • Check weather conditions and, if your trip will
• Approved, fully charged
the river below Dexter and Cottage Grove dams can be for more than a day or in whitewater areas,
fire extinguishers
be navigated by most craft, except motorboats with file a float plan with a friend or neighbor.
• Bell or whistle
(as required)
propellers. Due to many shallow stretches, local • Avoid or limit alcohol consumption—most fatal
knowledge is critical boating accidents involve alcohol.
• Paddles or oars
if your motor has a • Brief passengers on operational and emergency
• Anchor
propeller. In the procedures, and don’t overload your boat.
• Tool kit, spare parts
and flashlight upper Willamette, It greatly increases the threat of capsizing.
• Extra food, water and
strainers—trees and • Make sure you have adequate and accessible
survival equipment branches that have life jackets on board. Check to make sure they
for trips longer than toppled into the fit. Children and non-swimmers should wear
one day river—can capsize life jackets at all times.
• First aid kit a boat and even hold its occupants under water. • Tow skiers, inner tubes and other recreational
• Compass, fenders, line, While swimming accidents result in the most devices only between sunrise and sunset. In addi-
bucket, bilge pump, drownings per year, boating provides its share of tion to the operator, there must be an observer in
two-way radio or
accidents and injuries. Most can be avoided if boat the boat. You also must wave a red or orange
mobile telephone
operators observe boating safety rules and use com- “skier down” flag (at least 12 by 12 inches) when
Those using canoes,
kayaks and rafts should
mon sense and courtesy at all times. a skier is in the water.
have rescue throw Oregon Boating Regulations, published by the • Know how to read channel buoys and markers
bags, helmets, flash- Oregon State Marine Board and updated yearly, (see page 7). Many stretches of the Willamette
lights, first aid kits and contains a digest of all regulations and restrictions. below Canby have in-water hazards, including
extra clothing. Be sure Other guides, including the Oregon Boater’s rocks and snags under the surface.
to bring waterproof Handbook, offer comprehensive tips on safety, • Beware of large commercial vessels. Avoid
containers. navigation rules and equipment. All of these anchoring in the commercial shipping channel.
publications are available from the Oregon State • Be aware of good boating etiquette. Observe all
New life jacket law
All recreational boats
Marine Board as well as from many boat dealers Slow–no wake zones.
under 16 feet—includ- and fishing supply outlets. • Be on the alert for others, especially
ing all canoes and swimmers and skiers. Personal watercraft
TAKE A COURSE
kayaks—must carry a users should avoid jumping wakes or
Call 1-800-336-BOAT for informa-
wearable life jacket for operating near other boats and big
tion on Coast Guard Auxiliary or
each person on board. ships. Don’t follow boats or skiers
U.S. Power Squadron boating
Children 12 and too closely or shift direction
classes. Or, for $1 (to cover
younger must wear life suddenly.
postage and handling of mate-
jackets when on boats • Don’t boat alone, especially
rials), take the Marine Board’s
that are underway. on whitewater stretches.
correspondence course,
• Avoid boating after dark—
Boating Basics. Passing this
and be sure to use the proper
ABOVE: Preparing to boat course can save you money on
lights if you do.
ABOVE RIGHT: Inflatable boat insurance.
kayak near Armitage Park
 NAVIGATION HAZARDS anglers—also represent hazards. In addition,
There are a variety of natural navigation hazards weather—including wind, precipitation, fog, sun
on the Willamette River and its tributaries. These glare and lightning—must be taken into account.
include whitewater stretches, shallows and rocky Boaters should be prepared for cold water as the
shoals, narrow side channels, dead-heads and Willamette River is below 60° Fahrenheit most of
strainers (trees, stumps and branches in the water), the year. The river’s currents, channels and levels
powerful currents and river eddies, low-head dams, are highly changeable. Without proper precautions,
and a major waterfall. Other river traffic—including any stretch of the river can be dangerous. NAVIGATION AIDS
The chart below describes the general character It is important to know
boats, personal watercraft, swimmers, skiers and
how to read waterway
and types of hazards you may
markers:
encounter on each river section.
RIVER CHARACTERISTICS AND HAZARDS Boats Keep Out
Middle and Coast Forks RULES OF THE ROAD Special explana-
(Dexter, Cottage Swift water with many small rapids, rocks, shallow areas and potentially Rivers, like highways, have rules tions may be
Grove dams to dangerous side channels. Watch for fallen trees, limbs and debris. printed on side of
that govern right-of-way. On water,
River Mile 185) Stretch above Jasper advised for experienced boaters only; scout river
before you launch. Beware of dangerous I-5 rapids at Springfield. Coast these are called rules of the road. marker
Fork may be unnavigable during summer low-water periods. The boat that has the right-of-way Danger
BOATING OPTIONS: Driftor float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks, rafts. on the river is called the stand-on The nature of the
Jet-boats OK in most areas.
boat. The boat that must yield is danger may be
called the give-way boat. The rules indicated
Springfield to Albany
of the road have the force of law. Controlled Area
(River Mile 185 Fast water and four significant rapids through Eugene section; advisable Boaters can be penalized for failure
to River Mile 118) only for experienced boaters. Below Eugene, current remains fast, river Type of control is
channel changes regularly and there are frequent shallows. Beware of
to observe them. indicated
trees, other in-water hazards and unnavigable side channels. Current
slows downstream from Corvallis.
Crossing Information
BOATING OPTIONS: Drift or float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks or rafts. When two boats are on intersect- For displaying
Jet-boats OK in all areas except Eugene area and shallow channels, ing courses, the boat to the right official information
sloughs. Small propeller-driven boats OK in Albany area. Watch for (the starboard side) is the stand-on such as directions,
crewing near Corvallis. Skiing OK in certain areas downriver from
boat and has the right-of-way. The distances, location
Corvallis, but local knowledge is important to avoid shallow stretches.
give-way boat must alter its course Left of Channel
Albany to St. Paul/Newberg or speed to avoid a collision with Green buoy
(River Mile 118 to Relatively slow current, but occasional shallow side channels and sloughs. the stand-on boat. The stand-on marks left side of
River Mile 50) Watch for log debris, rock benches, wing dams and shallow stretches. boat should maintain its right-of- channel when
BOATING OPTIONS: Drift or float in canoes, drift boats, kayaks or rafts. way course in the crossing situation. proceeding upstream
Jet-boats and personal watercraft are OK in all areas except shallow
channels and sloughs. Propeller-driven craft and waterskiing are Overtaking Right of Channel
acceptable near Newberg, Salem and Albany, but local knowledge is Red buoy marks
important to avoid shallow stretches. A boat being overtaken or passed
by another boat has the right-of-way. right side of channel
Newberg to Portland The boat being passed must hold its when proceeding
upstream
(River Mile 50 to Slow current but many rocky shoals upriver from Portland. Maps show course and speed as it is being
River Mile 0) locations of major problem areas, but not all. Beware of Willamette Falls passed. The overtaking boat must
above Oregon City. Watch for logs, trees and other in-water debris.
Heavy commercial river traffic and recreational use create congestion. pass at a sufficient distance to avoid
Watch for commercial tugs and barges below Newberg. Large ships a collision or endangering the other
frequent Portland harbor. Don't anchor in shipping channel. Observe boat with its wake.
buoys, channel markers and Slow–no wake zones near floating homes
and moorages. Watch for personal watercraft, swimmers and waterskiers. Meeting head-on or nearly so
BOATING OPTIONS: Best for propeller-driven craft and jet-boats.
When two boats approach each
Canoes, sculls, kayaks and other small craft OK in localized areas
away from congestion. other head-on, each must alter
course to the right to avoid collision.
Multnomah Channel If the two boats are far to the left or
(River Mile 21.5M Very slow moving. Occasional logs, trees and other in-water debris.
right of each other, no change in
to River Mile 0M) Channel is narrow; watch for other boaters, waterskiers. Slow down and course is necessary.
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. ABOVE: Lane County
Sheriff’s Marine Patrol
 Excursions and Outings
The Willamette River offers many options for recreational outings. These include boating, water
skiing, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, hiking, bicycling, or just a pleasant Sunday drive. Many can
be done in a day. Consult the maps in this guide for more information.
Willamette River
Greenway Program
The Willamette River
PLANNING AN OUTING two or three prime stopping points, including
Greenway program is
Most destinations along the Willamette are only lunch. Consider planning trips around themes—
administered by the
an hour or two apart by car. Therefore, many out- such as history, ferries or a community festival.
Oregon Parks and
ings can be day trips—although floating the river’s Ten Oregon state parks are shown in this guide
Recreation Department
entire length or taking a leisurely bicycle trip can (see page 11). Of these, only Champoeg has over-
(OPRD), which has
acquired many parcels easily consume a week. In any event, allow ade- night vehicular camping. However, boater camping
along the river. OPRD quate time for travel is allowed at some local parks, Bowers Rock State
provides recreational both on and off the Park and state greenway parcels as indicated on the
opportunities on State river. Seven or eight maps. Fires should be confined to fire rings on
Park and greenway hours of travel and greenway or state park sites.
lands while encourag- recreating can be A number of game refuges and wildlife sanctuar-
ing appropriate land quite enough for ies beckon birdwatchers and hikers, including state
use and natural re- one day. and national wildlife areas (see page 5), and special
source stewardship on The maps in this preserves such as Oaks Bottom in Portland. Other
adjoining privately guide show all public good areas to observe wildlife are accessible to
owned lands. Signs land along the river, boaters, such as Harkens Lake Landing, the mouths
along the river denote plus major historical, of the Luckiamute, Santiam and McKenzie rivers,
specific Willamette cultural and natural and the entire Middle Fork. Many state and local
River greenway parcels points of interest. parks offer excellent wildlife viewing.
that are available for Connecting roads are Historic sites abound. Many are abandoned
public use. marked. Services pro- towns or landings that require considerable re-
vided at parks, way- search and patience to locate, such as
sides, access points Fairview, Linn City and Canemah.
and marinas are indicated on the maps. For state Some sites, however, are quite acces-
and local parks with camping, it is wise to reserve a sible, including the
site ahead of time in the summer. Bybee-Howell EMERGENCY
The maps, while generally accurate, do not rep- House on Sauvie INFORMATION
resent all hazards nor are they to be used in place of Island, Portland’s The Oregon State
Visitor information
Visitor Information official navigation charts. Each map contains a historic Yamhill Marine Board con-
Centers have calendars brief summary of significant known hazards and and Old Town tracts with county
of major community their general location as signified by ( NH ). Be aware districts, Oregon sheriffs’ depart-
ments to patrol the
events along the river. of other potential hazards and the possibility that a City and the
entire river. In case
The Willamette River listed hazard may have changed or not be accurate- Willamette of an emergency,
Calendar, published ly characterized by this guide. Falls Locks, dial 9-1-1.
by the Willamette Butteville,
DESTINATIONS
River Institute (503/ Champoeg, Buena Vista Ferry,
A trip or outing can be organized around state
222-2546), also in- and the lost town of Orleans east
and local parks,
cludes information of Corvallis.
about historical and
wildlife refuges,
For those planning a car or
cultural events assoc- cities and towns,
bicycle trip, many other interesting
iated with the river. and historic sites.
destinations await the curious in cities
It’s a good idea to
and towns near the river. Check your
plan a day outing
ABOVE: Harrisburg City library or local chamber of commerce for
Park and gazebo around no
more information. The list of resources on
Bicycling at
ABOVE RIGHT: more than
page 32 of this guide may help.
Champoeg Park
 RIVER OUTINGS velocity. Especially in the lower Willamette, winds
The most popular way to use the river is to be can greatly slow the progress of hand-propelled
out on it. Boat launches are shown on the maps boats. In addition, tides can actually push the river
that follow. In addition to skiing and fishing, enjoy- upstream below Oregon City.
able excursions
BIKING AND HIKING
can include cruis-
RIVER MILEAGE Besides short bicycle rides in and around some
AND FLOAT TIMES* es to various
of the parks along the river, there are many enjoy- Using the maps
parks or other
River Estimated able longer rides. Excursions take bicyclists along Care has been taken
River Segment Miles Float Time points of interest.
rural back roads, through small towns, past to make all river maps
Fatigue, sun,
Dexter Reservoir-Springfield 18 4 hours historic places and to various river crossings. All faithful to the river
Armitage State Park- wind and alcohol
three remaining ferries—Canby, Wheatland and alignment (based on
Harrisburg 21 4 hours can all play a fac-
Buena Vista—can be included on bicycle outings. 1993 aerial photo-
Harrisburg-Corvallis 29 8 hours tor in water recre-
Corvallis-Albany 11 5 hours Most state parks are popular for hiking and graphy), but it must be
ation—a tired or understood that the
Albany-Buena Vista 15 6 hours nature walks, as are Sauvie Island, greenway trails
intoxicated boater Willamette is a dynamic
Buena Vista-Independence 11 5 hours in Eugene and Portland, George Rogers Park (Lake
Independence-Salem 12 5 hours is more likely to river that changes and
Oswego), Minto-Brown Island Park (Salem) and
Salem-Wheatland Ferry 12 5 hours have an accident. can be confusing and
others shown on the following maps.
Wheatland Ferry- Plan your trips dangerous to navigate.
San Salvador Park 15 5-6 hours HUNTING AND FISHING
accordingly and Don’t count on the
San Salvador-
limit—or, better Hunting for deer, waterfowl and upland game is maps to depict every
Champoeg State Park 11 5 hours
Champoeg State Park- yet, avoid—alco- permitted in some locations. Hunting is allowed at hazard or unpassable
West Linn 17 8 hours hol consumption. those greenway parcels shown with a hunting sym- channel.
West Linn-Willamette Park 12 6-7 hours As shown on bol in this guide—but only during authorized River Miles 00
Willamette Park- seasons with a shotgun or bow and arrow. Three
the maps, numer- All river miles in this
Kelley Point Park 18 10 hours
ous state green- greenway sites—Lynx Hollow Access on the Coast guide originate at the
*Estimates based on a leisurely pace with rest and
way parcels are Fork, Truax Island Access (RM 128) and Wapato river’s mouth, starting
lunch stops. Add extra time for additional sight-
seeing. From Canoe Routes of Northwest Oregon, accessible either Access on Multnomah Channel—have special hunt- with River Mile (RM) 0,
published by The Mountaineers, Seattle, Wash.
from the river ing restrictions because of their locations. For more and increasing in value
or roads. Green- specific information about hunting on state green- moving upstream. The
way parcels accessible by vehicle are signed at way parcels, contact Champoeg or Armitage state left bank (L) and right
public roads. Greenway parcels accessible only parks. For general hunting information, contact bank (R) of all river
by boat have river milepost signs located for the the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW). locations in this guide
boater’s convenience. See page 32 in this guide for appropriate state park are determined by fac-
Please respect private property and obey all “no or ODFW telephone numbers. ing downstream. At
trespassing” and “no hunting” signs. Some parts of Hunting on private lands is allowed only by many points along the
the main stem of the Willamette River channel are permission of landowner, subject to state game river, Willamette River
public only to the “ordinary low water” line. As rules. Obey “no hunting” signs. Angling regulations greenway signs indi-
such, some of the river bank and gravel bars along vary along the river. Check the angling synopsis, cate the appropriate
available wherever fishing licenses are sold, for river mile. When used
the river are privately owned. Because of this, parks
specifics on restrictions. with maps in this guide,
and greenway lands that provide public access to
these signs can help
and along the river are especially valuable
boaters identify their
public resources.
location on the river.
Float trips by canoe, kayak or rubber
raft are popular. Except for the upper forks
and around the Eugene-Springfield area,
there are few whitewater hazards. Above
Corvallis, it is not uncommon for the
current to be swift. Below Newberg, the cur-
rent is very leisurely.
The chart on this page suggests typical
float times between major points on the river.
ABOVE: Strolling along a
However, these estimates will vary from party
Willamette greenway parcel
to party depending on type of boat, ability of
LEFT: Fishing on the Middle
the paddlers, weather conditions and water Fork
 Virtually all areas of the Willamette offer
SUGGESTED FISHING AREAS
good fishing year-round. Most libraries or
Multnomah Channel
bookstores contain good, locally produced fish-
(RM 0) Good spring chinook salmon fishery; also winter steelhead. Gilbert
ing guides that can point anglers of all ages to River and Sturgeon Lake fishing is mainly for warm-water game fish,
good fishing holes, baits and lures, and con- primarily catfish, perch and crappie. Bank fishing is possible in
ditions when fishing is best. Some of the more several areas. Success rates are best during March through June.

popular spots are listed in the adjacent table. Cedar Oak Island
Driving (RM 23) Hides a sheltered lagoon that offers good fishing for perch,
An interesting mid- POPULAR DESTINATIONS crappie, bullheads, bluegill and bass. It is especially good for
valley trip could Here’s a sampling of places to go to enjoy winter angling because it is protected from the river's high-water
winter currents.
include excursions the Willamette River system:
across the Buena Vista Clackamas River
Sauvie Island (RM 0-21M) (RM 25) Particularly at its confluence with the Willamette, the Clackamas
and Wheatland ferries
Popular for bicycle rides (Gillihan Loop Road is among the top salmon and steelhead producers in the
with a side visit to the
is 12 miles), nature walks, and fruit and vege- entire Columbia system. Features are spring chinook, summer
State Capitol Building steelhead, coho, a small run of fall chinook and a good run of
in Salem. A nice rest
table stands. More than 1,000 acres are culti- winter steelhead.
stop is Minto-Brown vated each year. Grains seeded in the fall provide
Rock Island
Island Park south of green forage for wintering ducks and geese. A
(RM 30) Its sloughs and environs provide good habitat for bass and other
Salem, which features parking permit is required in state wildlife areas. warm-water fish. It is a popular fishing hole due to its proximity to
picnic areas as well as Highway 99E. Popular for boat-in camping.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park (RM 11-12)
excellent running, Offers a chance to walk, jog, or bicycle along Molalla River
walking and bicycle (RM 36) Channel catfish can be caught at the junction of the Molalla and
several miles of Portland’s urban waterfront.
paths. It is best to limit Willamette, along with crappie, bass, and bullheads, and salmon,
It also provides access on the south end to steelhead and trout in season. Large late steelhead run.
total driving time to
Riverplace, a complex of restaurants, shops,
3-5 hours, especially Yamhill River
hotel and condominiums. The Hawthorne (RM 55) Bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, catfish, trout and salmon frequent the
with children.
bridge connects pedestrians and bicyclists to the Yamhill River area. A good smallmouth bass fishery also exists in
Waterskiing Eastside Esplanade, and to a pathway to the the lower Yamhill.
Popular skiing points Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Buena Vista/Luckiamute River
include Multnomah
(RM 106) For two miles upstream of Buena Vista Park and ferry is a good
Channel, Sellwood to Oaks Amusement Park (RM 16) stretch of the Willamette for smallmouth and largemouth bass, as
Willamette Park in Open to the public during the summer, this well as crappie and bluegill. Nearby Luckiamute River offers a good
Portland, the private park offers roller skating, thrill rides, population of native cutthroat, with large migrating cutthroat
arriving in winter for an additional fishery.
Milwaukie basin, and a children’s theater. Built in 1905, the park
above Willamette features a 60-foot ferris wheel and the largest Calapooia River
Falls, Newberg to (RM 119) The Calapooia River joins the Willamette at Bryant Park in Albany.
wood-floor skating rink on the West Coast.
Its inflow draws feeding fish, such as bass, crappie, bluegill and
Wilsonville, and the catfish. Fishing for trout, steelhead and salmon, in season, also is
Salem, Albany and Willamette Falls
practical. Largemouth bass and panfish are available.
Corvallis areas. Locks (RM 26)
Peoria
Remember, it is the Locks at West Linn
(RM 141) The 10 to 12 river miles from Peoria to Corvallis are filled with fish-
law to wave a red or were placed in ser- ing opportunities. Sloughs surrounding a series of islands provide
orange “skier down” vice in 1873. The relatively unfished habitats for all of the fish species found in the
flag while a skier is in wooden locks are river. Cutthroat trout are quite abundant from Peoria upstream.

the water. the oldest continu- Long Tom River

Bicycling
ously operating (RM 145) The Long Tom has largemouth bass, crappie and brown bullhead in
multi-lock system lower section. Also, a popular sturgeon hole exists at its confluence
For a fall bike ride, try with the Willamette.
the 36-mile Junction in America. A museum exhibits many historic
photographs and artifacts. Picnic area and McKenzie River
City-Harrisburg loop
(RM 175) The McKenzie is one of Oregon's best fishing rivers, with plump
timed to coincide with restrooms are available.
redside rainbow trout, native cutthroat trout, summer steelhead
either the Junction French Prairie (RM 35-70) and spring chinook providing anglers with plenty of action. Lower
City Scandinavian section is a catch and release zone.
Butteville, St. Paul and Champoeg were
Festival or Harrisburg’s Middle Fork
originally settled by French Canadian retirees
Harvest Fest. (RM 187- A substantial hatchery release program has made spring
of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Hence, this area 203) chinook and summer steelhead fishery attractive below Dexter
ABOVE: Lowell covered is sometimes referred to as “French Prairie.” Dam. There also is a limited winter steelhead run. Fall Creek,
bridge at Dexter Reservoir
A riverbank marker denotes location of historic which enters near Jasper, has a good trout fishery.
ABOVE RIGHT: Willamette
Falls and locks
Butteville and its landing, founded in 1845.
Willamette River ferries provisional government in the Northwest was taken
The three remaining ferries on the Willamette on May 2, 1843. The site is now a state park with
can be enjoyed in a day outing or a longer bicycle grassy fields, boat tie-up, picnic areas, 48-site camp-
excursion—the Canby Ferry (RM 34) near Canby, ground, extensive bike trails and two museums.
Wheatland Ferry (RM 72) north of Salem and Located off Highway 99W, 7 miles east of Newberg.
Buena Vista Ferry (RM 106) south of Salem. Good
Willamette Mission State Park
picnic points would be Champoeg State Park,
Original site of Rev. Jason Lee’s Methodist mis- FESTIVALS AND
Willamette Mission State Park (at the Wheatland
sion. A new 4-mile bike trail winds through river EVENTS
Ferry) or Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem.
bottomlands. A small lake in the park contains a A selected listing:
Eugene/Springfield riverfront (RM 178-186) boat ramp and is good for panfishing. Located on
June
This area offers a nice network of public bike Wheatland Ferry Road, 8 miles north of Salem. Rose Festival
paths and trails along both sides of the river, joined Portland/503-227-2681
by several footbridges. An old canoeway connects Sarah Helmick State Park
Folklife Festival
Alton Baker Park to the West D Street Greenway Small park along the Luckiamute River. Offers Corvallis/541-757-0205
in Springfield. picnicking and some good fishing holes. Located Outdoor Concerts
off Highway 99W, 6 miles south of Monmouth. Lake Oswego/
503-636-9673
Jasper State Recreation Site Historical Pageant
GUIDE TO OREGON STATE PARKS
Shorter hiking trails, group picnicking sites, Champoeg/503-678-1649
River Mile (RM) children’s play area, volleyball court, horse- July
24 Mary S. Young shoe pits and softball fields, fishing on the Old Fashioned July 4th
riverbank. Excellent birding opportunities. Harrisburg/
36 Molalla River 541-998-6154
Located approximately RM 96.
46 Champoeg Riverfest
Clackamette Park/
Lowell State Recreation Site
73 Willamette Mission 503-650-5219
56-slip marina, boat ramps and a boat-
Sarah Helmick Oregon Trail Pageant
(Luckiamute River) house maintained by Oregon Association Oregon City/
202
Lowell State of Rowers. Swimming, a basketball court, 503-657-0988
Recreation Site
Dexter State picnicking. Located approximately RM 202. Victorian Days
202 Albany/541-928-0911
Recreation Site
203 Elijah Bristow Dexter State Recreation Site August
Very popular with rowers, boaters and Crawfish Festival
speedboaters. Food concessionaire. Located Tualatin/503-692-0780
OREGON STATE PARKS approximately RM 202. Waterfront Festival
West Salem/
Mary S. Young State Park 503-581-4325
Elijah Bristow State Park
Riverfront park features hiking trails, a short Filbert Festival
Sprawling day-use park with 16 miles of
bicycle trail and athletic fields. New footbridge Springfield/
hiking, biking and equestrian trails, plus several 541-744-2628
connects to Cedar Oak Island, park and natural
miles of riverfront. Located along Middle Fork
area managed by the city of West Linn. Located September
of the Willamette off Highway 58, 7 miles south- Eugene Celebration
on Highway 43 in West Linn, about 9 miles south-
east of Eugene. Eugene/541-687-5215
west of Portland.
Indian Summer Folk
Molalla River State Park Life Festival
St. Paul/503-678-1649
Features a 11/2 mile hiking
Bybee-Howell House
trail along which waterfowl, frogs Wintering-In
and songbirds can be viewed. Park Sauvie Island/
also has a large great blue heron 503-222-1741
rookery; nesting activity occurs October
from February through July. Sternwheeler Race
Portland/503-223-3928
Located along the Molalla and
Sauerkraut Festival
Willamette rivers near Canby. Scappoose/503-543-7991
Champoeg State Park
The Champoeg site is most ABOVE: The pioneer festival
at Champoeg
famous for being where the decisive
LEFT: Historic Champoeg
vote for organizing the first
State Park
1 THE FORKS—MIDDLE AND COAST

1 Middle and Coast Forks

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 navigable only below Dexter Dam
at River Mile 203, some 58 miles downstream from Lake Timpanogas. The smaller second fork—
the Coast Fork—begins above Cottage Grove to the west. The two forks join at Springfield.
AN

PORTLAND
NEWBERG
Swirling through small channels, over and around stretch. During high water in
C OCE

EXCURSIONS
SALEM downed trees, and creating myriad small whirlpools, the spring, it can be swift and
PA C I F I

ALBANY
EUGENE
COTTAGE
GROVE
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.
ABOVE RIGHT:Relaxing at
Cottage Grove Reservoir
the Middle Fork is a swiftly moving stream as it sets demanding even for the experi-
off below Dexter Res- enced rafter. During low water
ervoir and through most of the rest of the year,
Elijah Bristow State rocks and shallows make this
Park. On its journey fork difficult, if not unpleasant,
A challenging day trip
to the Columbia, the to float. Check local water con-
is to float a canoe, drift
Willamette will ditions before venturing out.
boat or raft from Dexter
change complexion Reservoir to Spring-
RIVER MILEPOSTS
many times. Here it field—12 to 18 river
Middle Fork
is a remarkably clear miles depending on
The Dexter Holding Ponds your put-in and take-out
stream that is popu-
(RM 203) are immediately points. There are haz-
lar with anglers and
below Dexter Dam. There are ards along the way;
rafters alike as it only the experienced
several hand-launch points:
flows over rocky beds and boulders. It is common to should try this run
(1) downriver 100 yards from
see osprey, hawks and an occasional eagle flying above Jasper Bridge.
the Dexter holding ponds, ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME:
above, while waterfowl work the shores and eddies.
(2) on the opposite bank at 3 TO 5 HOURS.
Anglers in drift boats or in waders vie for spring chi-
Dexter County Park, or A shorter trip would be
nook salmon, steelhead and native cutthroat trout.
(3) from the Pengra Access to launch at Clearwater
Above the town of Jasper, the Middle Fork is chal-
(RM 201) greenway parcel Park and exit at Island
lenging—especially for canoes. Drift boats and rafts Park, 6 miles downriver.
further downriver. Pengra
have an easier time. Jet boats usually can get all the ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME:
Access is a good launch point 2.5 HOURS.
way to Dexter Dam, but they must pay heed to shal-
that avoids some upriver haz-
lows opposite Jasper Park and elsewhere. Snags and
ards. Just below the mouth of Fall Creek (RM 198.5)
strainers (fallen trees) make some channels difficult
are some hazardous channels.
or unpassable; conditions change frequently. Keep
The Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge (RM 197)
alert at all times for strainers and underwater debris.
alerts you that Jasper County Park (RM 195) and
Before navigating these upper reaches, it is best
its river shallows are just a mile or so
to scout the river or get current local infor-
ahead. Further, on the left, is the
mation from the Lane County Sheriff’s
Jasper Bridge boat launch (RM 194)
office, the City of Eugene
that attracts many rafters bound for
Outdoor Program or local
one of Springfield’s riverside parks,
river outfitters.
such as Clearwater Park (RM 191) or
The Coast Fork,
Island Park (RM 185).
similarly, is a challenging
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 hand launch locations
exist along this fork. At river mile 187, it
joins the Middle Fork, forming the
mainstem Willamette.
 THE FORKS—MIDDLE AND COAST
RM C to C LYNX HOLLOW ACCESS 17 GIDDINGS CREEK
LANDING

OPRD
OPRD

N O R T H
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'

Coast Fork: Generally

navigable only in the 20

1
early spring. It is diffi-
cult to float when water
RIVER MILES levels drop in early
summer. Even when
River miles are indicated navigable, swift and
by a 00 at 5-mile inter- shallow conditions
vals as well as at the top make it challenging;
and bottom of each map. scout before you float.

RO
W
River mileage mile-by-mile

RI
is indicated by small dots

VE
in the river channel. COTTAGE

R
CROVE
There are three zero
points for river miles; LEGEND
at the confluences of Boat Hiking
access
Multnomah Channel with Vehicle Hunting
the Columbia River at access
Public dock
St. Helens, the mainstem Bicycling
Willamette with the 5 transient use
Restrooms Water

;;
Columbia at Kelley Point
in Portland, and the Coast Boat ramp Camping
Fork with the Middle Fork Boat
S
99
Supplies camping
at Springfield. River miles 25

increase proceeding upriv- Picnicking Power line

er. Major navigation haz- Division of
NH Navigation State Lands
hazards
ards are shown with a NH . public land
Specific hazards are NAVIGATION HAZARDS
described in the legend 29C Shallows, rocks: Coast Fork is
on each map and are list- generally difficult or unpassable
after high water in spring; check
ed by river mile. Be alert local conditions; scout first.
for other hazards as well. THROUGH RM 0C.

C
U
RR
E NT

Cottage Grove Reservoir:

Cottage Grove Reservoir,
completed in 1942, is an Army LAKESIDE PARK
Corps of Engineers project
COTTAGE GROVE
about five miles south of RESERVOIR DAM
Cottage Grove. It is used pri- ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
NH
marily for flood control, irriga-
tion and recreation. The
three-mile-long lake and its SHORTRIDGE PARK
RD

shoreline are used for boat-

WIL

N
DO

ing, swimming, water skiing, ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

N
LI

L
fishing, picnicking and camp-
AM

ing. Three day-use parks pro- PINE MEADOWS

S
C

vide opportunities for water- C O T TA G E CAMPGROUND

R

oriented recreation. GROVE

D
R ES. R

RES.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
VE

O PRIMITIVE
GR CAMPGROUND
GE
TTA
CO

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

WIL
SON CR

CR
R WILSON CREEK PARK
CED A

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

 99
1 THE FORKS—MIDDLE AND COAST
181
ALTON BAKER
RM to
5 EASTGATE WOODLANDS
RM 16 C to 0 C CENTENNIAL BLVD
105
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT ISLAND PARK

ASPEN
NH
AUTZEN WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
N O R T H BIKE BRIDGE NH 185 126 CLEARWATER
FRAN K
ONE MILE LI N BOAT RAMP
ALTON BAKER PARK EUGENE WILLIE SPRINGFIELD

BLVD
SCALE: 1":8000' KNICKERBOCKER
& WATERWAY BIKE BRIDGE
MILLRACE PARK WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
WEST D STREET
CITY OF EUGENE GREENWAY
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
FRANKLIN PARK GREENWAY
E 190
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT MIDDL
FO NH
CITY OF EUGENE RK
DORRIS RANCH
LIVING HISTORY FARM

S E AV
Y L O O P RD
5
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
Springfield: In 1849,
ARBORETUM 193
Elias M. Briggs located a
GLASSBAR ISLAND LANDING
land claim near here. For OPRD
many years a portion of MT PISGAH
LEGEND his claim was known as BUFORD
Boat “the spring-field”, hence RECREATION AREA
Hiking
access the town’s eventual
Vehicle
access
Hunting name. Springfield rated
LANE COUNTY
58 5
occasional (rare) visits by
Public dock Bicycling
transient use steamboats from down-
river ports during the PISGAH LANDING
Restrooms Water
winter high-water
Millrace Park: The

RK
Boat ramp Camping season. Like Eugene, SEAVY LANDING OPRD
Springfield Millrace

FO
much of Springfield’s

;
Boat diverted Willamette river
S Supplies

T
camping Willamette waterfront is

AS
in order to power early OPRD
a parkway.

Picnicking
NH Navigation
hazards
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
183 Rapids: 3-foot waves, left chan-
nel below Autzen footbridge;
middle and right channels are
shallow; hazardous area for
swimmers.
184 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.
191 Shallow channels: River changes
channels frequently below
Clearwater Park; shallow areas.
THROUGH RM 183.
16C Shallows, rocks: Coast Fork is
generally difficult or unpassable
after high water in spring; check
local conditions; scout first.
THROUGH RM 0C.
CO
Power line mills. This fueled the
Division of local economy. The for-
State Lands
mer Booth-Kelly mill was
public land
the largest mill of the
CAMAS SWALE
largest lumber company LANDING
of its day, and the flour
mill powered by the
Millrace was at one time
99 OPRD
Lane County’s largest,
lasting for 75 years.
Dorris Ranch: Site of the
10 BRISTOW LANDING
first commercial filbert
nut orchard in the United
States, Dorris Ranch in OPRD
Springfield continues as a
5
fully productive commer-
cial filbert orchard and
living history farm. Year-
round walking tours, edu-
cational programs, work- CRESWELL
shops, special events and
preservation projects
enable visitors to experi-
R R E NT

ence early Oregon history

first-hand. CLOVERDALE ACCESS
CU

OPRD

5 COUGAR
MOUNTAIN ACCESS
OPRD

OPRD

16

LYNX HOLLOW ACCESS

NH
OPRD
 THE FORKS—MIDDLE AND COAST
RM to

Railroad: Southern
N O R T H Pacific mainline follows
portions of the Middle
ONE MILE Fork. Railroad construc-
SCALE: 1":8000' tion to this area began in
1909, but the final 108-
mile section over the
42ND ST

CLEARWATER
SPRINGFIELD BOAT RAMP Cascades was not com-
pleted until 1926.

1
WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT

189 PISGAH LANDING

Dexter Holding Ponds: NAVIGATION HAZARDS
NH
C U R RE OPRD Salmon hatchery and 191 Shallow channels: River changes
holding ponds have channels frequently below
NT

LOG JAM ACCESS Clearwater Park; shallow areas.

been operated by the
THROUGH RM 183.
U.S. Army Corps of
JA

196 Shallows, rocks: Shallows near

SP

OPRD Engineers and Oregon

ER

JASPER BRIDGE RAMP Jasper Park; many rocks. Difficult

Department of Fish and
R

area for jet-boats in low water

D

Wildlife since 1955. periods.

LANE COUNTY 198 Shallows, log jams, debris:
MT PISGAH Channel changes frequently
LOG JAM LANDING
JASPER
195 JASPER BRIDGE ACCESS below Fall Creek; hazardous side
channels; potential log jams and
strainers; scout first.
OPRD HILLS OPRD THROUGH RM 196.
CR
203 Swift current, debris: Swift
JASPER STATE REC. SITE
58
NH current, dangerous side channels,
BUFORD
RECREATION AREA 222 strainers entire stretch; experi-
LANE COUNTY enced boaters only; scout first.
THROUGH RM 199.
RK

LANE COUNTY
RIDGEWAY RD

PENGRA ACCESS
M

ID
FO

DL
E
T
AS

SEAVY LANDING FO FA
CO

RK NH L OPRD
L

OPRD DEXTER
HAND LAUNCH
CR

OPRD
200

DEXTER
GREEN ISLAND HOLDING PONDS
LANDING ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

58
OPRD LOWELL STATE REC. SITE
S
LANE COUNTY
Elijah Bristow was the ELIJAH BRISTOW NH
founder of Pleasant Hill STATE PARK
and an Oregon pioneer
of 1846. With Eugene JA
SP
Skinner and two other ER
- LO
DEXTER WE
Oregon Trail immigrants, LL R
D
Bristow explored the LOWELL
DEXTER STATE COVERED
upper Willamette Valley REC. SITE DEXTER BRIDGE RES.
country in June 1846,
looking for likely places
to stake a claim. Bristow LANE COUNTY

selected this site because DEXTER DAM

of the beauty of the land- ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
scape. The park named in
his honor is a sprawling The Lowell covered
state park with several bridge, originally built in
miles of beautiful river- 1907, now crosses part LOOKOUT POINT DAM
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
front and picnic areas. of the mid-section of
Dexter Reservoir. The
bridge was rebuilt by
Lane County in 1945.
2 THE UPPER MAINSTEM—SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY

MAINSTEM
2 Springfield to Albany
THE UPPER 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.
AN

PORTLAND
NEWBERG
The current is typically fast through Springfield standing waves. Middle and
C OCE

EXCURSIONS
SALEM and Eugene. At least five rapids will be encountered, right channels can be shallow.
PA C I F I

ALBANY
offering both challenge and a likelihood of getting West D Street Greenway
wet. Of most concern to boaters is the diversion dam (RM 184) was created by re-
EUGENE

COTTAGE
encountered just above the I-5 crossing in Springfield. routing a local street. Alton
GROVE
This stretch is recommended only for experienced Baker Park (RM 184-182), the
kayakers and canoeists. major regional metropolitan
MAJOR Try a good one-day
Downstream from Eugene, the Willamette main- park, runs along the right
FEATURES float trip from Armitage
tains its energy and rapid flow. Between Eugene and bank to the Ferry Street
185 Island Park Park to Harrisburg (19
Harrisburg, the river flows in many intertwined or Bridge. It contains a popular river miles). Drift boat
and boat launch
“braided” channels marked by occasional snags and canoeway. About 150 yards fishing is popular in this
These are adjacent
strainers—but no real rapids. It is wise to stay alert above the Washington Street stretch.
to the historic ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME:
for shallows, ob- Bridge are additional rapids.
Springfield railway 4 HOURS.
station and the
structions, strain- The McKenzie River joins
ers and unnaviga- the Willamette at RM 175. Or take a two-day run
Springfield millrace. to Corvallis (49 miles),
Island Park is the site ble side channels. Armitage Park, which has
pulling out at Willamette
of the annual Filbert Here, the river is a good boat ramp, is about Park (Crystal Lake boat
Festival. naturally unstable seven miles upstream on the ramp).
183 Alton Baker
in a wide flood- McKenzie, offering an interest- ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME:
10 HOURS.
Park and Eastgate plain, often spilling ing side trip.
Woodlands over its shallow channels during high water to create Whitely (RM 175.5) and A popular half-day out-
These comprise much new ones. What is depicted as a channel on the map Hileman (RM 173.5) are main- ing is the 11 miles from
Crystal Lake boat ramp
of the major public might now be a gravel bar or marsh. tained boat ramps, but neither
in Corvallis to Hyak Park
greenway in Spring- Even after Harrisburg, the fickle river can lure a is on the main channel and upriver from Albany.
field and Eugene. boater down a shallow side-channel or through some both are difficult to locate ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME:
unexpected water hydraulics. Only after Corvallis from the river. They also may 3 HOURS.
175 McKenzie River

One of Oregon’s
great whitewater
fishing streams, for
which the famed
McKenzie riverboat
(drift boat) is named.
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.
ABOVE RIGHT: Mainstem
stretch near Eugene
does the Willamette begin to slacken its pace and require portages.
form itself into a more reliable single channel with At Harrisburg (RM 160), look for the new gazebo
intermittent islands. at the riverfront park and a boat ramp just down-
river from it. Landing hand-powered craft at
RIVER MILEPOSTS
McCartney Park (RM 156) is difficult because of
Island Park (RM 185), on the right bank, has a
strong currents. However, it’s another
good boat launch. Beware of the dangerous diversion
15 miles to the next boat ramp at
dam and rapids at the I-5 bridge about a mile down-
Peoria Park (RM 141).
river. Boaters should follow the shallow right channel
The river above Corvallis (RM 140-
to avoid treacherous cur-
132) is filled with snags and strainers.
rents along a mid-river
The Crystal Lake Boat Ramp (RM
revetment or a three-
133) is at the downriver end of
foot plunge over the
Willamette Park. A boat launch is at
dam itself. At the
Michael’s Landing (RM 131), north of
Autzen footbridge
the Harrison Street bridge.
(RM 183), the
The remaining 11-mile run to
main channel
Albany is pleasant and easy. The
(left) sports
best boat ramp above Albany is at
three-foot
Hyak Park (RM 122).
 THE UPPER MAINSTEM—SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY
RM to 164 LEGEND
99 99E Boat

COB
Hiking
W access

UR
Vehicle Hunting

G-H
access
BLUE RUIN ISLAND

ARR
Public dock Bicycling
transient use

ISBU
Water

RG
OPRD Restrooms
JUNCTION

RD
CITY Boat ramp Camping

;; ;
Boat
S
99
Supplies
N O R T HSCANDIA LANDING camping
Picnicking Power line
ONE MILE OPRD Division of
NH Navigation State Lands
hazards
SCALE: 1":8000' public land
LINN COUNTY
LANE COUNTY NAVIGATION HAZARDS
BROWN’S BOAT SKID CHRISTENSEN’S 177 Channel changes: Shallow side
HAYES RD
BOAT RAMP channels; river changes course
frequently between Eugene

2
LANE COUNTY
and Corvallis.
OPRD THROUGH RM 164.
MARSHALL CROSS ROADS LN
ISLAND LANDING 178 Obstructions: Cement blocks at
OPRD old rock quarry, right side,
(UNDEVELOPED) present potential hazard.
170
180 Rapids: Beneath power line; stay
MARSHALL McKenzie River: Named
to right to avoid rock shelf.
ISLAND ACCESS after Scotsman Donald
R E NT

182 Rapids: 150 yards upriver from

McKenzie of John Jacob Washington Street Bridge; diffi-
Astor’s Pacific Fur Co., cult for jet boats in low water;
UR

OPRD
who explored it in 1812. stay right.
C
RIVE

The McKenzie is some- 183 Rapids: 3-foot waves, left chan-

R RD

times considered the nel below Autzen footbridge;

“third fork” of the middle and right channels are
shallow; hazardous area for
Willamette. swimmers.
184 Diversion dam: Dangerous ob-
BEACON LANDING stacles upriver from I-5 freeway
HILEMAN BOAT RAMP bridge; river flows over low-head
dam between cement abutments
OPRD left side; dangerous current
CITY OF EUGENE
along above-water revetment.
(SEASONAL)
Take shallow channel far right.
BEAC
ON DR COBURG
ROGERS BEND LANDING
ARMITAGE PARK
OPRD
175
Mc
LANE COUNTY
K

N
E

WHITELY LANDING ZI RIV

E ER
WILKES DR
I-5 Rapids: Old mill
OPRD RD
LOOP diversion dam immedi-
Eugene/Springfield RIVER
NH
BELTLINE WEST ately upriver from I-5
riverfronts: A nice BOAT RAMP
WHITELY BOAT RAMP bridge at Springfield is
network of public dangerous; only expe-
parks, bike paths and
NH ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS rienced canoeists or
trails runs along both CITY OF EUGENE
kayakers should run
sides of the river. The BELT LINE RD
RIVER AVE DELTA PONDS this stretch.
paths cross the river
on several foot and OWOSSO
BIKE BRIDGE
CITY OF EUGENE
(UNDEVELOPED) 5
bicycle bridges.
EAST BANK PARK
CITY OF EUGENE
WEST BANK PARK NH OWEN ROSE GARDEN WEST D STREET
GREENWAY

CITY OF EUGENE ALTON BAKER PARK

CITY OF EUGENE

99
180 & WATERWAY WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
RD
RG

CITY OF EUGENE ISLAND PARK

BU

GREENWAY
EUGENE
CO

BIKE BRIDGE SPRINGFIELD

MAURIE JACOBS PARK/ NH 105 WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
RIVER HOUSE OUTDOOR PROGRAM
EUGENE
CENTENNIAL BLVD
CITY OF EUGENE MILLRACE PARK
N O R T H
ASPEN

SKINNER BUTTE PARK WILLIE

NH KNICKERBOCKER
AUTZEN BIKE BRIDGE WILLAMALANE PARK DISTRICT
ONE MILE
SCALE: 1":8000'
CITY OF EUGENE
BIKE BRIDGE
NH 185 126
2 THE UPPER MAINSTEM—SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY

RM to

L
E
N
AN 143
CH
E Sam Daws Landing: This

DL
state greenway parcel is

ID
N O R T H on the current river chan-

M
BUCKSKIN MARY NH
nel, but is a mile or so
ONE MILE LANDING
away—due to the river’s 99E
SCALE: 1":8000' changes—from where
145
OPRD the original Daws home-
N O R T H 99
W site is located.
ONE MILE
WILLIAM L FINLEY SAM DAWS LANDING
SCALE: 1":8000'
N AT I O N A L
WILDLIFE
REFUGE
OPRD

PEORIA RD
AMERICAN
CAN CO. AMERICAN DR
S TA C K

NORWOOD
ISLAND
Long Tom River: The
steamboat “Ann” initially
M RIV ventured into the Long
TO ER 150 Tom River in 1869. Later
G

LO N IRISH BEND
the “Echo” operated out
IRISH BEND
RD of Monroe for several
years before river traffic
BENTON COUNTY there proved impractical.
RD

Y
T
IVER

O UN
NN C
LI
HARKENS LAKE
OLD R

Y
COUNT LANDING
T ON
N
BE

STOW
OPRD
PIT

ANDERSON PARK RD
BENTON COUNTY
(UNDEVELOPED)

155
McCARTNEY PARK
LEGEND
Boat Hiking
access LINN COUNTY
MONROE
Vehicle Hunting CARTNEY DR
access
Public dock Bicycling
transient use
Restrooms Water
CU

;
RR

Boat ramp Camping

ENT

Boat
S Supplies camping
Picnicking Power line
Division of
L

NH Navigation
INN

State Lands
hazards
public land
99 99E
CO U NT

NAVIGATION HAZARDS W
Y

145 Shallows: Shallow, swift current BENTON COUNTY

LANE COUNTY
on side channel around Hoacum 160
Island. Canoe, kayak access only;
can be treacherous.
161 Water hydraulics: Swift current, Harrisburg: HARRISBURG PARK
eddy left side of channel Originally named
approaching Highway 99E bridge Prairie City. Incor- CITY OF HARRISBURG HARRISBURG
upriver from Harrisburg. porated in 1866
163 Channel changes: Shallow side and re-named after NH
channels; river changes course
frequently between Eugene and
Harrisburg, Penn.
Corvallis. Generally the upper-
99E
CO

THROUGH RM 132. most point of naviga-

BU
R

tion during the

G-
HA

steamboat era.
RR

NH
ISB
UR
G

163
RD
 THE UPPER MAINSTEM—SPRINGFIELD TO ALBANY
RM to HYAK PARK
20 118

120
NH
BENTON COUNTY
R BOWMAN PARK
N O R T H VE
T Y RI
UN
O
TY BRYANT PARK

C
N N
ONE MILE NTO TAKENA LANDING

U
BE C O
N
LIN CITY OF ALBANY
SCALE: 1":8000'
CITY OF ALBANY
MONTIETH
BOWERS ROCK RIVER PARK
N O R T H STATE PARK CITY OF ALBANY

EBINGER RD
ONE MILE
125 (UNDEVELOPED)
SCALE: 1":8000' A
OI CITY OF ALBANY
99

PO
HALF MOON BEND
LANDING

LA
W

A
C
Calapooia River: The
RIVERSIDE LANDING
OPRD Calapooia Indian band,

2
MICHAEL’S LANDING
after whom this river is

CITY OF CORVALLIS
20 R REN
T
OPRD named, frequented the
areas south and east of
CU
DOWNTOWN here. Native Americans
WATERFRONT PARK 130 TRUAX ISLAND ACCESS in the Willamette Valley
were collectively known

E DR
CITY OF CORVALLIS as Kalapuyans, sharing
ID OPRD
S a common dialect.
ER
RIV
FORMER SITE OF

34
TOWN OF ORLEANS
CORVALLIS
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR
20
Marys River: River is
34
AND ALAN BERG PARKS
CITY OF CORVALLIS canoeable for several
RI V E (UNDEVELOPED) miles, but there are no
M A R YS R

PIONEER
put-in or take-out points
due to steep banks. John
99E
BOAT BASIN Work, a Hudson’s Bay
LIN
Co. employee, camped
N
CITY OF CORVALLIS BE
C here in 1834.
O

N
UN

Orleans: Corvallis, on NAVIGATION HAZARDS

TO

CRYSTAL LAKE
TY
N

BOAT RAMP relatively high ground, 122 Rock shelf: Along right side
CO

fared better than the channel just upriver from site of

UNTY

Bowers Rock State Park.

“lost town” of Orleans
CITY OF CORVALLIS 142 Shallows: Shallow, swift current
135 immediately across the
on side channel around Hoacum

;
river. Established in the Island. Canoe, kayak access only;
RIVER JETTY LANDING late 1850s, it was wiped can be treacherous.
WILLAMETTE PARK out by the 1861 flood 142 Channel changes: Shallow side
KIGER
ISLAND OPRD that also took Champoeg channels; river changes course
and other riverside towns. frequently between Eugene
CITY OF CORVALLIS and Corvallis.
Only a church and ceme-
THROUGH RM 131.
tery remain.
KIGER ISLAND LANDING

OPRD
Booneville and Middle
channels: These channels
99
W
surround upper Kiger and
John Smith islands. Suit-
able only for canoe or
JOHN
SMITH kayak access. The former
ISLAND
townsites of Booneville and
Peoria: A century ago, Burlington were platted on
P E O R IA R D

Peoria was one of the these islands. Burlington,

major centers of trade a mile downstream from
140 Peoria, was sometimes
and river shipping in the
Willamette Valley. It fal- confused with Peoria.
tered economically when
the railroad bypassed it.
RD
PEORIA FAYETTEVILLE
HOACUM ISLAND
LANDING
PEORIA PARK
NH
OPRD
142
LINN COUNTY
NH
3 THE MIDDLE MAINSTEM—ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG

THE MIDDLE
MAINSTEM
3 Albany to St. Paul/Newberg
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
steamboat’s whistle.
AN

PORTLAND
NEWBERG
The middle sec- Bowman Park
C OCE

EXCURSIONS
SALEM tion of the main- (RM 119) and
PA C I F I

ALBANY
stem Willamette Monteith Park
continues to slow (RM 118). The
EUGENE

COTTAGE
GROVE
MAJOR
FEATURES
103 Ankeny Refuge
One of three national
wildlife refuges that
provide important
winter habitat for
geese and other
waterfowl in the
Willamette Valley.
Salem
84
In 1852, the steamer
“Canemah” trans-
ported lawmakers
from Oregon City
to Salem to unite
with the rest of the
territorial 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
shipping 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.
ABOVE RIGHT:Willamette
Mission State Park
and no longer Bryant boat
actively creates new ramp is no
channels. River longer usable.
A good float trip is to
depths average 12- Monteith Park
put in at the Santiam
15 feet, although provides a tran-
boat ramp at the I-5
there are occasional sient tie-up dock Santiam bridges rest
shallows and strong and good access area (freeway mile 241).
currents—especially near obstructions—that can to downtown Albany. Float the five miles to
the Willamette and then
upset a careless boater. In other places, the river The Santiam River joins
to either Independence
slows and deepens to as much as 80 feet. Many opposite Luckiamute Landing
Park (18 river miles) or
sloughs and side channels lure anglers in search of (RM 108-107). This is a good Wallace Marine Park in
bass, crappie and other panfish. Angling for spring fishing and wildlife viewing Salem (28 miles).
chinook near Willamette Mission State Park can be area. Remnants of the old ESTIMATED FLOAT TIME:
4 TO 6 HOURS.
productive during late April and May. gallery forest can be seen
Scores of abandoned landings, as well as some around Luckiamute Landing, A good car or bicycle
trip is to take country
major settlements of the steamboat era—Fairfield, which is frequented by bald
roads to and across the
and Buena Vista among them—have long since eagles and wild turkeys.
Wheatland or Buena
declined or disappeared altogether into Oregon’s The Buena Vista Ferry Vista ferries.
past. Of the early river towns, Salem, Corvallis, (RM 106) is next to Buena Vista
Albany, Independence and a few others remain. Park. Just downriver, Wells Island Park (RM 106-105)
This section is particularly bucolic, and features is an undeveloped island popular for boat camping.
two of the remaining three Willamette River ferries— At Independence Riverfront Park and boat ramp
Buena Vista and Wheatland. Both have been in oper- (RM 95.5), the town’s old ferry landing is still visible.
ation since the early 1850s. Buena Vista was site of Further on, Salem, Oregon’s capital, has an excellent
important clay pipe and cooking ware kilns that riverfront park, Wallace Marine Park (RM 84-83),
served early Willamette Valley farms. Wheatland was with two boat ramps—the downstream one for hand-
opposite where Rev. Jason Lee founded his Methodist launch only. Salem’s downtown riverfront is being
mission in 1834. developed as a major public recreation park.
A small transient tie-up (RM 84)
RIVER MILEPOSTS
provides access to downtown Salem.
Albany (RM 120-117) has four easily accessi-
Next are Wheatland Ferry (RM 72)
ble city parks—Takena
and Willamette Mission State Park. The
Landing (RM 119-
park has a boat ramp for non-motorized craft,
117), Bryant Park
below the ferry landing on the right bank.
(RM 120),
San Salvador Park (RM 57) has a well-
maintained boat ramp. 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 sometimes to
Lafayette. Be careful of shoals.
 ;; ;;

THE MIDDLE MAINSTEM—ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG

97

RM to
100
INDEPENDENCE JUDSON SIDNEY ACCESS
BAR LANDING ROCKS
Buena Vista Ferry:
N O R T H Operates April through
NH
OPRD
OPRD October, Wednesday
ONE MILE
through Sunday. Hours AMERICAN BOTTOM

CORVALLIS RD
SCALE: 1":8000' 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. week- LANDING

;;
days; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Buena Vista: Once
weekends. Pedestrians OPRD
home of the Oregon
and bicyclists are free;
Pottery Company,
cars and small pickup
SARAH HELMICK which from 1866-
STATE PARK trucks are $1; vehicles RD
TA 1896 produced pot-
with trailers are $2. N
T
A VIS
EN tery wares used

E
BU

RR
throughout the

CU
A N K E N Y N AT I O N A L
WILDLIFE REFUGE Willamette Valley
BUENA VISTA PARK 105
and Oregon.
WIN
TEL
RD

PARKER RD
POLK COUNTY
5

3
WELLS ISLAND PARK
BUENA VISTA
FERRY

POLK COUNTY

M TALBOT RD
LUC K IA U TE
RI
VE
BUENA VISTA RD

R
RIVER MAR I O
TIAM N
SAN L I NN

99
N
RIO
MA
N
LUCKIAMUTE LANDING LIN
W
CORVALLIS RD

Santiam River: Until

OPRD forced to the Grand

;;
Ronde reservation in
1856, the Santiam band SANTIAM REST AREA
110 HAND LAUNCH
of Native Americans
lived in the valleys of LEGEND
POLK COUNTY
BENTON COUNTY
the middle and south ODOT Boat
forks of the Santiam. Hiking
access
Vehicle Hunting

; ;
access
Public dock Bicycling
transient use
BLACK DOG LANDING
SPR

Restrooms Water
NGI

Camping
HIL

OPRD Boat ramp

;
L RD

LI

E E WILSON B Boat
S
N

EN Supplies
N

S TAT E TO camping

;
C
O

GAME REFUGE N
U
N

Picnicking Power line

TY
C
O
UN

Division of
TY

NH Navigation State Lands

hazards
public land
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Takena Landing: Albany’s original name was 101 Shallow channels: Watch for
Takenah—a Native American word describ- small, shallow channels next 5
miles; channels change seasonally.
ing the “large pool or depression” created 115 THROUGH RM 97.
by the Calapooia River where it joins the
120 Congested area: Watch for other
Willamette. Too often this got translated to river traffic in Albany vicinity.
mean “hole in the ground”; hence the deci- MONTIETH RIVER PARK
THROUGH RM 117.
sion to rename the community.
CITY OF ALBANY

BOWERS ROCK BRYANT PARK TAKENA LANDING

STATE PARK

HYAK PARK
(UNDEVELOPED)
CITY OF ALBANY 5
CITY OF ALBANY

BENTON COUNTY
20 BOWMAN PARK
120
NH
99E CITY OF ALBANY
122 ALBANY
OIA
ALAPO
C RIVER
3 THE MIDDLE MAINSTEM—ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG

RM to
Lincoln Access: One of the Willamette’s
LINCOLN ACCESS
;;
;; 76

POLK
MAR
ION

OPRD SPONGS LANDING PARK

most successful early-day towns—

;
named after President Lincoln—won
N O R T H fame for shipping out a record 350,000 MARION COUNTY/
bushels of wheat one year. It boasted a REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY
ONE MILE
half-mile-long waterfront of warehouses

;
SCALE: 1":8000' and wharves, none of which remains.

WIN
DARROW BAR ACCESS

DS
OR
ISL
DARROW

AN
OPRD BAR
221 219
KEIZER

DR
D
RD
DARROW ROCKS LANDING CHEMAWA PALMA CIEA PARK
NH CITY OF KEIZER
Spongs Landing: The CUMMINGS
(UNDEVELOPED)
OPRD
Spongs family settled
opposite the old town
80 LN
5
of Lincoln, where they SUNSET PARK
SUNSET
established a ferry in BEARDSLEY’S BAR ACCESS DR
competition with Doak’s CITY OF KEIZER
Ferry across the river.
OPRD
RIVER’S EDGE PARK
CITY OF KEIZER
99E
The ferry owners report- (UNDEVELOPED) GARLAND
LEGEND edly withheld landing WY
Boat Hiking
rights from each other,
access culminating in “a shoot-
Vehicle Hunting ing fray between crews”
access McLANE ISLAND
that, fortunately, resulted WALLACE MARINE PARK
Public dock

RIVER RD
Bicycling in no casualties.
transient use
OPRD
Restrooms Water CITY OF SALEM/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY

;;
Boat ramp Camping
Boat
WEST SALEM
S Supplies camping

;
Picnicking Power line SALEM
EOLA HILLS 85
22
Division of
NH Navigation State Lands
hazards
public land
NAVIGATION HAZARDS R I C K R E A LL
CR
NH
22 DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT PARK
79 Rock shoals: Left side, just
upriver from power lines. CITY OF SALEM/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY

;;
88 Congested area: Watch for other
river traffic in the downtown
Salem vicinity. 51 TY MINTO-BROWN
THROUGH RM 81. O UN
TY ISLAND
L K C U
N
92 Rocks: Right side of left channel PO CO
N
around island. RI O
MA
90 RIVER RD CITY OF SALEM/REGIONAL PARKS AGENCY

;;
Eola: The area at the foot of Eola Hills was once a
EMIL MARK/LLOYD STRANGE town called Cincinnati, established in 1849 and a
FISHING HOLE prospering little community by 1851. At one time it

;;
was mentioned as a possible site for the state capi-
POLK COUNTY tal. Eola Hills spread out to the north at the bend in
HALLS FERRY ACCESS
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
OPRD to Oregon” in 1844. The town was situated just
NH downriver from Rickreall Creek.
51 99E
INDEPENDENCE

CU R R E
NT Independence: Platted in the late 1840s by
95
Edwin A. Thorpe, by 1853 Independence had
its own post office. The 1861-62 flood wiped 5
INDEPENDENCE out the town, leading townspeople to plat a
RIVERVIEW PARK new town. For a time there was both an “Old
51 Town” and “New Town”. The flood of 1890
CITY OF INDEPENDENCE also hit Independence hard, especially North
RIVER ROAD Independence (Old Town), which was com-
BRIDGE
pelled to move. The old ferry landing is still
INDEPENDENCE ISLAND
visible on both sides of river.

OPRD
97
 ;

THE MIDDLE MAINSTEM—ALBANY TO ST. PAUL/NEWBERG

54
RM to DAYTON BOAT RAMP
99

L
W RI

IL
VE

A MH
YAMHILL COUNTY R
NH

Y
N O R T H

;
NH
ONE MILE
DAYTON
219
18
SCALE: 1":8000'

;;;
SAN SALVADOR PARK BLANCHET AVE
YAMHILL LANDING CANDIANI ST. PAUL
219
BAR
NH
221 OPRD

;;;
OPRD
60 Yamhill River: Yamhill
River is usually navigable

;
;;
to Dayton and, in high
Dayton: The town square, water, to Lafayette where
maintained as a park, COFFEE
steamboats once ven-
Lambert Slough: ISLAND
commemorates Gen. Joel tured. Look for the aban-
Suitable only for canoe

;;
Palmer. He was the super- doned, historic lock near
or kayak access. Lambert
intendent of Indian Affairs Lafayette that made
Slough, a good duck
for the Oregon Territory

3
hunting area, was once a steamboat visits possi-

RD
who negotiated the 1854-

;
larger channel and ble. Watch also for dead-

ER
55 treaties whereby FIVE

RIV
defined Grand Island. ISLAND heads and other debris.
Willamette Valley Indians
ceded their lands over

;
to the U.S. government. JACKSON BEND LANDING
The park’s focal point is 214
the relocated blockhouse
of Fort Yamhill. OPRD
65
L A M B E RT
BAR
RENT
219
Wheatland: The Wheatland
OU H

community once had

RD
G

CUR

Y
numerous shops, stores, ON
AH
mills, warehouses and two
221
SL

M NAVIGATION HAZARDS
hotels. All except the ferry
T

MA 55 Yamhill River: Narrow but navi-

LA M B E R

RIO
is gone now, replaced by YA
N gable usually to Dayton; in high
MH
an orchard. IL water to Lafayette. Treacherous
L

after heavy rains.

CO

GRAND
ISLAND
UN

GRAND 55 Rock ledge: Along right bank for

TY

ISL about 150 yards upriver from

A ND RD C
O
Wheatland Ferry:
U
N
TY
Yamhill River confluence.
59 Hydraulics, debris: Strong water
Operates daily year-round,
hydraulics and log debris just
except for Christmas and upriver from Yamhill Landing at
Thanksgiving. Hours are GRAND ISLAND Candiani Bar.
6 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily. ACCESS
73 Congested area: Multiple river

;;;
;
Pedestrians and bicyclists uses in area; watch for other
219
UP

are free; cars and small OPRD traffic near Willamette Mission
PE

State Park.
R

pickups are $1; vehicles SL

I

AN
with trailers are $2. D RD

;
;;;
BOAT RAMP ELDRIDGE BAR LANDING
W H E AT L A N D 70

5
BAR

OPRD
Willamette Mission
METHENY RD
State Park: Methodist WHEATLAND
missionary Jason Lee FERRY

established the first NH WILLAMETTE MISSION

Methodist mission west STATE PARK
of the Rockies here in
WH
E

1834. Lee moved his

AT

YA M H I L L C O U N T Y
LA

POLK COUNTY
mission to Salem
ND

WACONDA RD
(Chemeketa) in 1840.
RD

99E

;;
SPRING VALLEY ACCESS
WINDSOR

;;
ISLAND
OPRD WINDSOR ISLAND
ACCESS BROOKLAKE RD

;;
OPRD

76
4 THE LOWER MAINSTEM—NEWBERG TO PORTLAND

THE LOWER
MAINSTEM
4 Newberg to Portland
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.
AN

PORTLAND
NEWBERG
From Newberg to its confluence with the Columbia To enter Willamette Falls
C OCE

EXCURSION
SALEM 50 river miles later, the Willamette is mostly placid Locks (RM 27) from upriver,
PA C I F I

ALBANY
and slow-moving. In this section, the river runs keep to the far left bank. The
through a beautiful wooded gorge with narrow seg- locks are open from 7 a.m. to
EUGENE

COTTAGE
GROVE
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.
Canby Ferry
34
Ferry was established
in 1911; often called
the “Clackamas
County Navy”.
Willamette Falls
27 A 41-foot-high
falls passable only
using the adjacent
locks.
26 Oregon City
First incorporated
city west of the
Rockies (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 RIGHT: Downtown
Portland waterfront
ments that make navigation challenging at points, 11 p.m. daily. Weekends are
especially around islands and rocky shoals. best due to the amount of
At Oregon City, the riverbed is a basalt shelf that commercial traffic—which
A day-long round-trip
creates the impressive 41- has priority—during the
boat excursion can be
foot Willamette Falls. Tur- week. Allow about an hour
enjoyed by putting in
bulent waters near the base for passage each way. at Clackamette Park
of the falls are unsafe for Below the old Oregon City and proceeding upriver
small boats. Observe the Bridge (RM 26), remnants of through the Willamette
boating and fishing dead- the historic Oregon City steam- Falls Locks to Molalla or
Champoeg state parks.
line (yellow markers). boat landing are visible. A
At cruise speed (15
Below the falls, the river series of public parks, islands knots), river travel time
is often congested with and other access points, includ- is about 3 hours for the
recreational and commer- ing Goat, Cedar and Hogg round trip. Add 4 hours
cial river traffic. Still, Islands, and Meldrum Bar, for passage through the
locks, a lunch break and
you’ll see great blue heron, follow. Mary S. Young State
sightseeing.
waterfowl, vegetation and Park (RM 24) no longer has ESTIMATED ROUND TRIP:
wetlands along the way. The fishing, especially for a boat ramp. Roehr Park (RM 7 HOURS.
salmon and sturgeon, is very popular. 20) features a public boat dock
connected to an outdoor amphitheater. Elk Rock
RIVER MILEPOSTS
Island (RM 19) is accessible by boat.
Rodgers Landing (RM 50) has a boat ramp and
The Sellwood Bridge (RM 17) is the first of
tie-up with a park and restrooms. Champoeg State
10 vehicle bridges crossing the Willamette within
Park (RM 46-43), also has a tie-up. Nearby is historic
Portland. Oaks Bottom (RM 16) and Ross Island
Butteville Landing (RM 43).
(RM 15) represent important wildlife habitat. Just
Boones Ferry Park (RM 39) has a boat ramp
beyond the Ross Island Bridge is
and Wilsonville Memorial Park (RM 38) offers a
the Oregon Museum of Science
transient tie-up facility. Molalla River State Park
and Industry (R) and the
(RM 36-34), which has a large blue heron rook-
U.S.S. Blueback submarine.
ery, is just upstream from the Canby Ferry. From
Riverplace (RM 13), which has
here to Rock Island (RM 30), beware of narrow
a 24-hour public dock (reser-
chutes and rocky reefs. Observe marker buoys
vations required), is within walk-
and range boards.
ing distance of downtown Portland.
Bernert Land-
The 27-foot-high Portland Seawall
ing (RM 28) has
(L) runs along much of Tom McCall Water-
both a boat
front Park (RM 14-12). Beware of large com-
ramp and tie-
mercial vessels in the Portland harbor.
up. West Linn’s
The Fremont Bridge (RM 11) and the majestic
Willamette Park
St. Johns Bridge (RM 6.1) follow. The spires of the
(RM 28) is at the
St. Johns bridge rise to an imposing 418 feet, forming
mouth of the
the northern river gateway to Portland.
Tualatin River.
 THE LOWER MAINSTEM—NEWBERG TO PORTLAND
RM to

Butteville: A marker along

N O R T H the river denotes the loca-
tion of an old landing found-
ONE MILE ed in 1845 to compete with
nearby Champoeg. The area
SCALE: 1":8000' between the Pudding River,
Ash Island: Ash Island is
which enters the Molalla
used for farming. A pri-
River at Molalla River State
vate ferry is visible from
Park, and the Willamette was
the main (R) channel.
originally settled by French-
Bass fishing is popular on
Canadian retirees from the
left channel. Caution: The
Hudson’s Bay Company.
entrance to the left chan-
Hence, the area is some-
nel is hazardous because WA S H I N G T O N C O U N T Y
times called “French Prairie”.
of water dam at channel

CLACKAMAS COUNTY
entrance.

YA M H I L L C O U N T Y

4
99
W
NEWBERG
WILSONVILLE
D
RODGERS LANDING L ER
VI L
SON
WIL
YAMHILL COUNTY 39
NVILLE RD

50
WILSO

ASH
ISLAND
PARRETT MOUNTAIN CLACKAMAS COUNTY
NH MARION COUNTY
YA M H I L L C O U N
T Y
ACCESS

D
ER
MA RION COU
N TY

ILL
219 OPRD

EV
FRENCH PRAIRIE ACCESS

TT
BU
OPRD
BUTTEVILLE
NH
HESS CREEK LANDING 45
OPRD FORMER SITE
CH

A OF TOWN OF
5

;;;
MPOE
G CHAMPOEG
RD RD
ENT

N
TO
WE S
RR

;
LEGEND
CU

Boat Hiking
access
RD

CHAMPOEG STATE PARK

R

RD

Vehicle
VE

Hunting
RI

IE

access
IR

55 A
PR Public dock Bicycling
H transient use
C
EN

E RD

NH
FR

Restrooms Water
EVILL

;;
Boat ramp Camping
B U TT

Champoeg State Park: Boat

Fairfield: One of the
Pivotal site in the forma- S Supplies camping
most important pioneer
tion of the provisional Picnicking Power line
steamboat landings and
government of Oregon in Division of
shipping ports for wheat NH Navigation
1843. Champoeg was hazards State Lands
grown in the French public land
platted as a town in 1852,
Prairie area. Established NAVIGATION HAZARDS
but a disastrous flood in
in 1851 along what is 45 Underwater rock ledge: Right
1861 virtually wiped it
now the Salem-St. Paul side across from Parrett Access;
out. A flood in 1890 fin-
road. Only vague traces downriver from Champoeg tie-up.
ished the job. Now a state
remain of Fairfield today. 52 Wing dam: Upriver end of Ash
park, Champoeg was the
Island at entrance to left channel;
site of the last upriver occasionally submerged.
steamboat visit—by the 55 Rock ledge: Rock bench along
“Claire”—sponsored by right side for about 150 yards
the Veteran Steamboat- upriver from Yamhill River
men’s Association in 1952. confluence.
4 THE LOWER MAINSTEM—NEWBERG TO PORTLAND
17 M U LT N O M A H
CLACKAMAS
RM to POWERS MARINE PARK

MILWAUKIE JEFFERSON STREET

CITY OF PORTLAND
BOAT RAMP

N O R T H NH
ELK ROCK ISLAND N. CLACKAMAS PARKS & REC

ONE MILE
CITY OF MILWAUKIE
SCALE: 1":8000' M U LT N O M A H C O U N T Y DOGWOOD PARK
99E
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
CITY OF MILWAUKIE
(UNDEVELOPED)
ROEHR PARK
99
W
20
RIVERVILLA PARK
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
5 N. CLACKAMAS PARKS & REC
(UNDEVELOPED)
LAKE OSWEGO
O
EG OAK GROVE
OSW
LAKE BOAT RAMP RIVERSIDE PARK
CLACKAMAS WATER DISTRICT
Tualatin River: GEORGE ROGERS PARK
43
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
Canoes and kayaks
HOGG
LEGEND can navigate up ISLAND
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
Boat
access
Hiking
the Tualatin until
MELDRUM BAR PARK 205
reaching low-head D RD
CEDAR OAK
NH ER
Vehicle Hunting dam about one IV
access BOAT RAMP R
OR

mile upriver.

S
CITY OF GLADSTONE

C K AMA
Public dock F CEDAR
Bicycling
S TAF

transient use ISLAND

CITY OF WEST LINN
Restrooms Water

;
TU A L

C LA
AT I N ADAM CLARK COVE GLADSTONE
Boat ramp Camping
MARY S. YOUNG

;
Boat
RI V E

S Supplies STATE PARK

camping
205 R
G O AT
ISLAND
DAHL PARK
Picnicking Power line 25

NH Navigation
hazards
5 Division of
State Lands
WEST LINN
CITY OF GLADSTONE
public land Canby Ferry: Operates 212 OPRD

NAVIGATION HAZARDS daily year-round, except CLACKAMETTE PARK

WESTBRIDGE PARK
18 Rock shoals: Opposite Milwaukie, in very high water. “MCLEAN HOUSE”
OREGON
left side, very dangerous reef Hours are 6:45 a.m. to CITY OF WEST LINN CITY CITY OF OREGON CITY
downriver from Elk Rock Island; 9:15 p.m. Vehicles are BRIDGE
marked by three unlighted buoys NH
(numbers 8, 10 and 10-A). $1; pedestrians and OREGON
23 Rock shoals: Right side of
bicycles are free. HISTORIC CITY SPORTSCRAFT MARINA
CANEMAH
WILLAMETTE PARK
channel, opposite Cedar Island. TOWNSITE
S
27 Willamette Falls: Unpassable
41-foot-high falls; beware of CITY OF WEST LINN WILLAMETTE
shallows downriver; use locks FALLS LOCKS
(left side) for passage.
ROCK ISLAND LANDING
30 Rock shoals: Multiple rocky
shoals and ledges, both sides BERNERT LANDING ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WILSONVILLE
vicinity of Rock Island. MEMORIAL PARK OPRD
CITY OF WEST LINN
Oregon City: Oregon
CITY OF WILSONVILLE
30 City was the first seat of
MOUNTAIN RD

BOONES FERRY PARK

organized government
WILLAMETTE NH
west of the Rockies;
CITY OF WILSONVILLE MERIDIAN LANDING HO COALCA LANDING
settled in 1829 and, in
FF

MA

;
WILSONVILLE RENT
NR
D
the 1840s, became the
CUR OPRD CANBY
FERRY
99E OPRD western terminus for
the Oregon Trail.

;
35
39
HEBB PARK
WILLOW
BOATWORKS LTD. MARINA
HOLLY ST

ISLAND
Willamette Falls Locks:
S VER Opened in 1873, the
G RI CLACKAMAS COUNTY
DD I N locks were privately
PU

BOONES FERRY
PUBLIC RAMP owned until 1915 when
MO L ALL A

they were taken over by

MOLALLA RIVER the U.S. Army Corps of
CLACKAMAS COUNTY STATE PARK FISH EDDY LANDING Engineers. Operates from
7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
5 KNIGHTS BRIDGE
OPRD Allow about an hour for
passage each way.
R
IV
E

ARNDT RD
R
 THE LOWER MAINSTEM—NEWBERG TO PORTLAND
0
KELLEY POINT PARK
RM to
CITY OF PORTLAND
SAUVIE CO N O R T H
C SU
ISLAND TT
LU

O
LE M

L
BI

UM
RD A ONE MILE
D
PR

BI A
SCALE: 1":8000'
N LOO

SL
A

O UG
IH
LL
GI

H
H AY D E N
ISLAND

BYBEE
LAKE

30 ST. JOHNS SMITH

LAKE
RIVE

4
CATHEDRAL PARK R

5
St. Johns Bridge:
LINNTON CITY OF PORTLAND This is the site of one of
Portland’s earliest ferries,
operated by James
Johns in 1852. Cathedral
ST. JOHNS BRIDGE NAVIGATION HAZARDS
Park, popular for water-
12 Commercial shipping: Beware
sports and fishing, sits
of large commercial ships in
below the bridge along Portland harbor; do not anchor in
SWAN ISLAND
ST. JOHNS RR BRIDGE WA U D BOAT RAMP the right bank. shipping lanes; congested area,
BLUFF watch for other river traffic.
THROUGH RM 0.
PORT OF PORTLAND 5 99E 15 Ross Island Lagoon: Boating
discouraged due to conflicts with
commercial gravel operation.
McCARTHY PARK 15 Rocky shallows: Upriver end of
Ross Island and near Toe Island;
congested area, watch for other
PORT OF PORTLAND
river traffic.
Portland: Portland, set- 16 Rock shoals: Rock shoals extend
10
tled in 1843, was platted P O RT L A N D F I R E FREMONT BRIDGE
out 200 feet left side at Stevens’
by Francis Pettygrove B O AT S TAT I O N # 6 Point, upriver from Willamette
and Asa Lovejoy in Park; marked by unlighted Buoy 4.
M U LT N O M A H C O U N T Y
1845. They reportedly S H E R I F F R I V E R PAT R O L

flipped a coin to deter- BROADWAY BRIDGE 30

mine whether the town TOM McCALL BY

should be named Boston WATERFRONT PARK 84

(after Boston, Mass.) or
Portland (after Portland, CITY OF PORTLAND
405 NH STEEL BRIDGE
30
Maine). Pettygrove, who
BURNSIDE BRIDGE Ross Island: Site of a
was from Maine, won
ANKENY STREET large sand and gravel
the coin flip.
PUBLIC BOAT DOCK MORRISON BRIDGE operation, and also the
CITY OF PORTLAND HAWTHORNE BRIDGE location of a blue heron
rookery on northern end.
26
MARQUAM BRIDGE
OREGON MUSEUM OF
S C I E N C E & I N D U S T RY
RIVERPLACE (U.S.S. BLUEBACK)
PORTLAND
S ROSS ISLAND BRIDGE

Oaks Bottom: 160-acre

Oaks Bottom Wildlife PORTLAND 26
Park has a great diversity OAKS BOTTOM
of plants and wildlife in WILLAMETTE PARK 5
its forests, swamps and
99 15 NH CITY OF PORTLAND
marshes. Heavily used by
43
CITY OF PORTLAND
herons, waterfowl and W
SELLWOOD
small birds. Trailhead is RIVERFRONT PARK
OAKS AMUSEMENT PARK
at SE 7th and Sellwood NH
Blvd. Also good for fish- CITY OF PORTLAND
ing for crappie, bass,
perch and crawfish. STAFF JENNINGS
NH 99E WAVERLY YACHT CLUB
MARINA S
S SELLWOOD
BRIDGE POWERS MARINE PARK

17
CITY OF PORTLAND
5 MULTNOMAH CHANNEL

MULTNOMAH
CHANNEL
5 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.
AN

PORTLAND
NEWBERG
Multnomah Channel begins three miles upstream available to the public, usually
C OCE

EXCURSIONS
SALEM from the Willamette’s main confluence with the for a small fee.
PA C I F I

ALBANY
Columbia. It traverses the west flank of Sauvie Island Pastoral Sauvie Island, on
for 21 miles until it, too, connects with the Columbia the right, is popular for bicycle
EUGENE

COTTAGE
River (at St. Helens). rides, nature walks,
GROVE
Meriwether Lewis swimming beaches,
and William Clark, and its fruit and
MAJOR Take Multnomah
explorers for the vegetable stands.
FEATURES Channel to the Sauvie
young republic of the Just inland is the
21M Sauvie Island Island boat ramp or
United States, noted historic Bybee- Hadley’s Landing. Take a
An important Native the island during Howell House, a fine stroll—or ride bikes—on
American trading their 1804-06 expedi- Classical Revival the island. Gillihan Loop
grounds. Road is a flat 12-mile
tion, calling it house built in 1856
11M Bybee-Howell loop through farmland,
Wapato Island after and restored and
House past vegetable stands
the large beds of maintained by the and the historic Bybee-
A fine 1856 Classical arrowhead, or wild Oregon Historical Howell House, above.
Revival home on
potato, growing there. The Native American name for Society. It is open to the public ESTIMATED TIME: ABOUT
Sauvie Island; its AN HOUR BY BICYCLE.
the plant is wapato. The island was once a center of during the summer.
ample grounds
trade for Native Americans stretching from the The Sauvie Island Public Hike to Wapato Access
and orchards are or walk northeasterly to
Willamette Valley to Idaho and Wyoming. Boat Ramp (RM 18) is just up-
ideal for picnics. the Sauvie Island Wild-
A French-Canadian employee of the Hudson’s Bay river from Wapato Access (RM
0M Sauvie Island life Management area
Company, Laurent Sauve, for whom Sauvie Island is 17-18), near one of the sites (about 3 miles). Great
Wildlife Manage-
ment Area now named, established the first non-native settle- where Nathaniel Wyeth main- for birdwatching, but
Contains 12,000 ment in 1838—a dairy. Since then, little other than tained an outpost called Ft. observe seasonal
agricultural development has occurred on the island. William from 1834-1836. At restrictions.
acres of shallow lakes
and sloughs The channel is mostly a peaceful waterway fea- Wapato Access is Hadley’s
suitable for turing quiet moorages, lush vege- Landing (RM 17.5), a transient tie-up and trail.
canoeing, tation, plentiful songbirds About halfway down the channel, the Sauvie
fishing, and and waterfowl. Island Wildlife Management Area (RM 11-0) begins.
nature viewing. It is a major wintering and resting area for more
RIVER MILEPOSTS
St. Helens than 300,000 ducks and geese. The refuge also
0
A series of moorages
Established in features swans, great blue herons, sandhill cranes,
and marinas greets the
1847 by Henry M. purple martins and bald eagles. Access is by road or
boater between
Knighton. Just by boat via the Gilbert River Boat Ramp (RM 6).
Multnomah
upriver, the little Check rules on wildlife viewing restrictions during
Channel’s
town of Milton was hunting season and in the spring.
confluence
washed away in Several parks and a marina can be found at the
with the
the 1861 channel’s confluence with the Columbia. These
flood. 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
Willamette and the
backwater parallel to the channel, also contains a
Sauvie Island Bridge
boat ramp and marina. Scappoose Bay Landing is
(RM 20). Several moor-
a large state greenway parcel between the bay and
ABOVE RIGHT: Sauvie ages have boat ramps
Multnomah Channel.
Island bridge
 MULTNOMAH CHANNEL
8
RM M to M CO
Sturgeon Lake and other

R I ER
LUM waters in Sauvie Island Wild-
BIA
AVE

V
E life Management area offer
SAUVIE good panfish fishing. Bank

T
ISLAND fishing can be done from

ER
N O R T H WILDLIFE Oak Island along the south-

LB
SCAPPOOSE MANAGEMENT
western shore of Sturgeon

GI
30
ONE MILE AREA
ODFW Lake. Footbridges along
COLUMBIA COUNTY 10
SCALE: 1":8000' Pete’s Slough, south of Big

5
BOAT RAMP
McNary Lake, provide addi-

WASHINGTON
tional access for fishing and
COLUMBIA COUNTY
wildlife viewing.

REEDER RD
LAKE
BROWNS LANDING
LEGEND
S Boat
COLUMBIA COUNTY Hiking
M U LT N O M A H C O U N T Y OAK
access
ISLAND Vehicle Hunting
Wapato Access, access

N
named for the wapato

EO
Public dock Bicycling
plant that was a staple transient use

RG
food for Willamette OAK ISLAND BOAT RAMP

U
Restrooms Water

30

ST
;;
Valley and Columbia
Basin Indians, is a hike- Boat ramp Camping
able greenway parcel. Boat

ER
S Supplies camping

RIV
ROCKY POINTE MARINA Picnicking Power line
S NH Navigation
hazards
Division of
State Lands

COLUMBIA
15 public land
NAVIGATION HAZARDS
HAPPY ROCK MOORAGE
WAPATO ACCESS 7 Commercial shipping: Beware
of large commercial ships in
Portland harbor; do not anchor
OPRD in shipping lanes; congested
area, watch for other river traffic.
M

THROUGH RM 0.
U
LT

O
N
M
AH

SAUVIE BELLEVUE POINT

ISLAND
RD
ER

HADLEY’S LANDING
ED

MULTNOMAH COUNTY
RE

(UNDEVELOPED)

OMP, OPRD, PORT OF PORTLAND SAUVIE ISLAND GAME

MANAGEMENT HQ 0
KELLEY POINT PARK
BURLINGTON
C

Multnomah Channel is
H

CITY OF PORTLAND
AN

popular during the spring BYBEE-HOWELL D C

NEL

SU
BURLINGTON HOUSE PR TT
and winter for anglers
O

O LE
LO
L

BOAT RAMP RD
UM

seeking chinook salmon AN

LIH

and steelhead. The spring

BI A

20
GIL

chinook run in the METRO

SL

Willamette—greatly aided
O UG

by fish passage improve-

LARSON’S MARINA
ments at Willamette Falls
H

and the 1960s cleanup of S

the river—has historically
been the Willamette’s LUCKY’S
BYBEE
largest salmon run. LAKE
LANDING MARINA

30 SMITH
LAKE
Ft. William on Sauvie ST. JOHNS
FRED’S MARINA
Island was one of the
early Euro-American S
trading sites in the LINNTON
Willamette basin. It 5 CATHEDRAL PARK
was founded in 1834
by Nathaniel J. Wyeth,
shortly thereafter was
moved to the Multnomah CITY OF PORTLAND

Channel side of the ST. JOHNS BRIDGE

island and was aban- NH
doned two years later.
7
ST. JOHNS RR BRIDGE
 30
5 MULTNOMAH CHANNEL

RM M to M ST. HELENS MARINA

S
SAND ISLAND MARINE PARK

N O R T H ST. HELENS LANDING ST. HELENS

CITY OF ST. HELENS

ONE MILE
S
CITY/COUNTY BOAT DOCK 0
SCALE: 1":8000'
COLUMBIA VIEW PARK Public access: Users of
N O R T H the game management

EL
area must purchase and
ONE MILE CITY OF ST. HELENS

N
display an annual or daily

N
SCALE: 1":8000' parking permit while

A
H
LEGEND parked on state lands

C
SCAPPOOSE BAY MARINA

ER
Boat on Sauvie Island. Annual
Hiking

AY
access permits cost $10.50 and

IV
B
Vehicle Hunting SE daily permits cost $3.00.
access S OO

COLUMBIA R
P Several local vendors near
Public dock AP
Bicycling PORT OF ST. HELENS
or on Sauvie Island sell

SC
transient use
Restrooms Water SAUVIE permits. It should be
ISLAND remembered that the
Camping SCAPPOOSE BAY LANDING WILDLIFE
Boat ramp State of Oregon does not

;
MANAGEMENT
Boat AREA own all of the land on the
S Supplies camping ODFW north end of the island
OPRD
Picnicking Power line and none on the southern
Division of end. Care should be
NH Navigation State Lands taken not to trespass
hazards 5
public land
on private property.

GILBERT RIVER BOAT RAMP

Wildlife viewing: The Sauvie

Island Wildlife Management ODFW & COLUMBIA COUNTY
Area is an excellent place to
enjoy bird watching and par- GILBERT RIVER TIE-UP Coon Island, JJ Collins
take in other recreational
L

Park on Coon Island is

NE

activities. Check rules on one of the few places on

COLUMBIA COUNTY
AN

viewing restrictions during

E
LAK
the channel where camp-
H

the hunting season and JJ COLLINS (COON ISLAND) ing is permitted.

LAKE

C
spring. Picnicking and other MEMORIAL PARK
CRANE

day-use activities are allowed

provided they do not conflict
R I ER

COLUMBIA COUNTY
ARY

with fish and wildlife needs.

V

HINGTON
McN

Sites are not developed for SAUVIE

T

these uses, drinking water is ISLAND

ER

not available, and restrooms WILDLIFE

LB

SCAPPOOSE MANAGEMENT
are primitive.
GI

AREA
30 10
ODFW

COLUMBIA COUNTY
BOAT RAMP
REEDER RD

IVER

COLUMBIA COUNTY
AH

LAKE
M
NO

BROWNS LANDING
IA R

S
T
UL

COLUMBIA COUNTY
M

UMB

M U LT N O M A H C O U N T Y OAK
ISLAND
N
EO

COL
RG

OAK ISLAND BOAT RAMP

U

WAS
ST

ROCKY POINTE MARINA

G
S
ILLIHAN L OP RD

D
15 E RR
REED

HAPPY ROCK MOORAGE

O
 Keeping Our River Clean
The Willamette River is considerably cleaner today than it was in the 1920s and 1930s, when the
lower river was so poisonous that fish placed in it died within minutes. To deal with the problem,
the State Sanitary Authority (now called the Department of Environmental Quality) was formed.
Pollution alerts
By 1968, all major waste discharges were identified and controlled by state water quality permits.
The city of Portland
The river is now safe for swimming, boating, fishing and recreating. posts alerts along the
Still, the Willamette does contain some pollu- a dock. Take portable fuel tanks out of the boat and river whenever its
tants. State regulation has greatly reduced the fill them on land. Wipe up any spills and discard the combined sewer and
amount of industrial and municipal pollution enter- cloth in a safe manner. storm drains overflow
ing the river, but the individual actions of citizens into the river. For
HOUSEHOLD WASTES information, call the
who use the river can have the greatest impact on
Toxic materials can flow into the river when River Alert Info Line,
keeping it clean. Here’s how you can help:
soaps, solvents, motor oil, anti-freeze and other 503-823-2479.
SANITARY DISCHARGES household chemicals wash off of roofs, driveways “Please Pump,
Human waste is a significant public health con- and yards into storm drains. Thousands of small Don’t Dump”
cern. The cities of Corvallis and Portland both have “spills” such as these have a total impact much It is illegal to discharge
combined storm and sanitary sewer systems. During greater than all industrial pollution combined. any untreated sewage
rainy periods, untreated munici- overboard from marine
HOW TO REPORT
SEDIMENT EROSION
pal sewage can flow into the river. toilets into the river.
POLLUTION Motorboat wakes increase erosion of shorelines.
At these times, avoid direct con- Use good
When traveling near the river’s banks, reduce your
If you see pollution tact with the water—especially outdoor ethics
speed. Higher speeds—especially in shallow
being released in the swimming or skiing. Fish in these In addition to handling
river or along its waters—also can disturb bottom sediments which
areas should be thoroughly human waste properly,
shores, report it to sometimes contain trapped toxic materials that can
washed before eating. observe good ethics at
the Oregon Emer- be released into the water column.
gency Management The use of Coast Guard- camping and picnick-
system at 1-800-452- approved marine sanitation LITTERING ing spots. Only use
0311. (Effluent com- devices aboard boats is required. It is against the law to litter in state waters. dead and down drift-
ing from pipes is Use pump-out facilities or potty Plastics are especially harmful. Items such as poly- wood for campfires.
already regulated Use firepans at all fires,
dump stations to properly dispose styrene cups, plastic bags, bait packages and mono-
and need not be and cover fire pits at
reported.) Any oil, of waste. Plan your trip to use filament line can kill birds, fish and marine mam-
undeveloped sites
fuel or other contam- upland public restrooms found at mals. When boating, camping or picnicking, please
inant leaking from after use. Better yet—
most parks and many greenway do your part—pack out whatever you pack in, and
boats, docks, oil use camp stoves for
parcels along the river. At camp- dispose of it properly, including food wastes.
drums, industrial cooking.
sites where there are
sites or other sources ADOPT-A-RIVER Adopt-A-River
should be reported no toilets, human
PROGRAM This program provides
immediately. waste should be carried
Take a personal role in free garbage bags,
out. If that is not possi-
maintaining the beauty of the buttons, window
ble, dig a hole at least 12 inches deep—
Willamette River, or any river, decals, how-to
well away from the river and above the
lake or stream in Oregon. handbook and
high water line—to bury wastes. Do not
The Oregon Adopt-A-River resource guide. Call
urinate in or near the water; preferably
program helps volunteers 800-322-3326 for
find a wet sand area.
adopt and clean up their information.
OIL AND FUEL SPILLS favorite stretch. The program Take The Plunge!
It is illegal to discharge any fuel or oil is a cooperative effort Adopt A River!
into any of Oregon’s public waters. Check between SOLV (Stop Oregon
fuel tanks, hoses and valves before you Litter and Vandalism), the
untrailer your boat or leave your moor- Oregon State Marine Board,
age. When refueling, shut off motors and Oregon Parks and Recreation ABOVE: Sampling water
electrical equipment, and don’t smoke. Department, and other state quality
Take extra precautions when fueling at and federal agencies. LEFT: Riverbank cleanup
“The rivers are our
Resources
EMERGENCY FISHING
brothers, they quench All locations 9-1-1 Oregon Bass and Panfish Club (Portland) 1-503-282-2852
our thirst. The rivers Oregon Emergency Management System Oregon Trout (Portland) 1-503-222-9091
carry our canoes and (pollution spills) 1-800-452-0311 Northwest Steelheaders (Milwaukie) 1-503-653-4176
Sport Fishing Information Line 1-800-ASK-FISH
feed our children. If TOWING SERVICES (PRIVATE) Willamette Falls Fish Count (Oregon City) 1-503-657-2059
we sell you our land, M.A.S.T. Towing (Ch. 13, 16) 1-503-297-8000
you must remember cell: 780-4949 MULTNOMAH COUNTY BRIDGES
and teach your child- Pro Line Marina (Ch. 13, 16) 1-503-245-2329 Bridge operations and maintenance
ren that the rivers are cell: 309-3274 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) 1-503-248-3757
Rocky Pointe Marina (Ch. 16) 1-503-543-7003
our brothers and NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Suzi and Son Marine Services 1-503-970-5493
yours, and you must Oregon River Forecast (recorded) 1-503-261-9246
henceforth give the SHERIFF’S MARINE PATROLS Portland Weather Bureau 1-503-326-2356
rivers the kindness Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
(St. Helens) 1-503-397-2511 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
you would owe any Oregon Historical Society (Portland) 1-503-222-1741
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
brother.” Nature Conservancy (Portland) 1-503-230-1221
(Portland) 1-503-288-6788
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Oregon Wildlife Federation (Portland) 1-503-222-3731
—Chief Seattle,
Suquamish tribe (Oregon City) 1-503-655-8650 Audubon Society of Portland 1-503-292-6855
Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Tualatin Riverkeepers 1-503-590-5813
(McMinnville) 1-503-472-9371 Cascade Canoe Club of Salem 1-503-361-7824
Polk County Sheriff’s Office (Dallas) 1-503-623-9251 Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club
Benton County Sheriff’s Office (Corvallis) 1-541-757-6858 (Corvallis) 1-541-753-3406
Lane County Sheriff’s Office (Eugene) 1-541-341-8599 Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club (Portland) 1-503-643-1153
Pacific Rivers Council (Eugene) 1-541-345-0119
CITY PARKS/BOAT RAMPS River Network (Portland) 1-503-241-3506
City of St. Helens 1-503-397-5520 Willamette Valley Visitors Association 1-800-526-2256
City of Portland 1-503-823-2223 Willamette Riverkeeper (Portland) 1-503-223-6418
City of Lake Oswego 1-503-636-9673 Lower Columbia Canoe Club, Inc.
City of West Linn 1-503-557-4700 (Portland) 1-503-292-3132
City of Gladstone 1-503-656-5225 End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive
City of Oregon City 1-503-657-8299 Center (Oregon City) 1-503-657-9336
City of Hillsboro 1-503-681-6120
City of Wilsonville 1-503-570-1522 OREGON STATE MARINE BOARD
City of Salem Parks Operations Division 1-503-588-6336 OSMB web site www.marinebd.osmb.state.or.us
City of Independence 1-503-838-1212 Boating information, classes,
City of Albany 1-541-967-4321 boat registration (Salem) 1-503-378-8587
City of Corvallis 1-541-757-6918 Boating classes (Boat/U.S. Foundation) 1-800-336-BOAT
City of Harrisburg 1-541-995-6655 Oregon Adopt-A-River (Statewide) 1-800-322-3326
City of Eugene 1-541-682-4809 OREGON PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
City of Eugene Outdoor Program/ Camping, reservations only (statewide) 1-800-452-5687
River House 1-541-687-5329 Camping and recreation, information
Willamalane Park District (Springfield) 1-541-726-4335 only (statewide) 1-800-551-6949
COUNTY PARKS/BOAT RAMPS State Historic Preservation Office (Salem) 1-503-378-5001
Columbia County (St. Helens) 1-503-397-2353 Willamette Greenway program (Salem) 1-503-378-4168
Port of St. Helens 1-503-397-2888 ext. 293
Metro (Portland) 1-503-797-1850 Portland office 1-503-731-3293
Multnomah County (see Metro) OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE
Port of Portland 1-503-731-7527 Fish & wildlife report (recorded) 1-503-872-5263
North Clackamas Park District 1-503-794-8002 General information (Portland) 1-503-872-5268
Clackamas County (Oregon City) 1-503-650-3719
Clackamas River Water (Clackamas) 1-503-656-0668 U.S. COAST GUARD
Yamhill County (McMinnville) 1-503-434-7513 Portland (Swan Island) 1-503-240-9301
ext. 3601 Customer Infoline
Marion County Public Works (Salem) 1-503-588-5036 (Boating Safety Hotline) 1-800-368-5647
Polk County (Dallas) 1-503-623-8172 Search & Rescue, emergency (Portland) 1-503-240-9300
Linn County (Albany) 1-541-967-3917
Benton County (Corvallis) 1-541-757-6871 U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Lane County (Eugene) 1-541-682-2000 Willamette Falls Locks 1-503-656-3381
Information Center 1-503-808-5150
Credits
Published by:
Oregon State Marine Board
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
With assistance from:
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon State University Extension Service
Oregon Sea Grant Program
Written and researched by:
Dean Smith & Associates
Designed and produced by:
Grapheon Design+Type
Research assistance:
Faith Ruffing/Sun Mountain
COR VA LLI S
Reflections
Special thanks to:
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
COT TA G E
G R OVE
City of Eugene Outdoor Program
Willamalane Park District
Nature Conservancy
CG White Cartography
SCAPPOOSE
Illustrations:
All illustrations by Kev Kohler
Photos:
Cover: San Salvador Boat Ramp,
P O RT L A N D ©1995, Matt Giraud
Inside front cover: John A. Kitzhaber,
Governor’s Office
M I LWA U K I E
Page 1: Water Skiier, Oregon State
LAKE
OSWEGO Marine Board; Canoe Dog, Oregon
G L A DS T O N E
Parks and Recreation Department
WEST LINN (Jerry Robertson)
OREGON CITY Page 2: Brush Burning, Nature
NEWBERG Conservancy (Ed Alverson)
Page 3: Lot Whitcomb, Oregon
Historical Society #1639; John
McLoughlin, Oregon Historical Society #67763
Page 4: Camas lily, Nature Conservancy; Raccoon,
Portland General Electric Co.
Page 5: River Flowers, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department;
Geese, Portland General Electric Co.
Page 6: Safe Boaters, Oregon State Marine Board; Kayaker,
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Jerry Robertson)
Page 7: Patrol Boat, Dean Smith
SALEM Page 8: Couple on Bikes, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department;
Harrisburg, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Monte Turner)
Page 9: Fly Fisherman, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
(Jerry Robertson); Hiking on Greenway, Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department (Monte Turner)
Page 10: Lowell Covered Bridge, Bill Cockrell
Page 11: Champoeg Fest, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department;
Champoeg State Park, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Page 12: Cottage Grove Reservoir, Army Corps of Engineers; River
Shore, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Jerry Robertson)
Page 16: River, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (Jerry
ALBANY Robertson); Canoeing, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
(Monte Turner)
Page 20: Aerial View of Willamette, Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department; Willamette Mission State Park, Oregon Parks and
Recreation Department (Jerry Robertson)
Page 24: Willamette Falls, Oregon Tourism Division; Riverplace,
Oregon State Marine Board
Page 28: Multnomah Channel, Dana E. Olsen; Bybee-Howell House,
Oregon Tourism Division
Page 31: Water Sampling, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
River Cleanup, Adopt-A-River
Page 32: Child Fishing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Inside back cover: 1876 Flood, Oregon Historical Society #38315;
Oak Grove Beach, Oregon Historical Society #89602
Back Cover: Morning Solitude, ©1993, Vern Uyetake
EUGENE
EM 8598
Extension Service, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Lyla Houglum,
interim director. This publication was produced and distributed in fur-
therance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension
work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S.
Department 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 Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Oregon State University
Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
250-422-9/98
Morning sculling on the river.

WILLAMETTE RIVER RECREATION GUIDE

The Willamette River is a vital, multi-purpose
waterway that touches the lives of millions of
people along its banks and throughout the Pacific
Northwest. An important historical and cultural
resource, the Willamette today still abounds with
great natural beauty, abundant wildlife and varied
recreational opportunities.
This guide is designed to make it easy to visit
and experience the river—whether by boat, bicycle,
motor vehicle or on foot. With detailed maps,
historical and wildlife information, and suggestions
for excursions, the guide is a valuable tool for any-
one interested in enjoying this important 200-mile
river system and greenway.

A PUBLICATION OF:

September, 1998