It didn't take long for our dry winter to do an about face. A number of Western Oregon's rivers and creeks exceeded flood recently, including the Willamette, right here in River City.
With the high water comes hazards many casual boaters are ill-prepared to deal with. It's not that the dangers are unmanageably high, but that ignorance of those dangers leads to them becoming unmanageable in a given circumstance. Then, when things start going wrong, it often leads to a cascade of poorly informed decisions with unpleasant or even dire consequences. Don't make assumptions based on low-water experience. Learn from people with experience and training before you head out on your own. The search and rescue team doesn't really need any more business.
Rivers are things of the wild and, although humans have confined and directed them, they will not be owned. Both paddlers and engineers who fail to respect that fact eventually come to pay for that failure. Paddle with clue, it's so much easier.
All that said, one thing an abundance of water brings is an abundance of paddling opportunities. For those with experience and the right equipment and skills, this is a great time to be out. Paddling into flooded areas often leads to unique wildlife encounters. Oh, and you probably won't have to dodge any jet skis, either.
6:30 PM, Thursday, February 2, 2012
Boon's Treasury
888 Liberty St. N.E.
Salem, Oregon
Groundhog Day, 2012. Come to celebrate, come to commiserate; we'll know which after Phil gives his verdict.
In case you missed the Statesman's coverage of the issue, between construction creating low clearance to begin with and high water compounding the problem, the I-5 bridge over the Willamette in Eugene is posing a significant hazard to navigation. The Statesman's article can be found here: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120125/OUTDOORS/120125004/Boaters-need-avoid-5-bridge-over-Willamette-Eugene
After any high water event, wood and debris can pile up on bridges and pilings, as well as in bends and constrictions. It is critical, then, that paddlers boat in control and approach even familiar areas with caution. Strainers are the deadliest features commonly found on Oregon's rivers. Avoid them, period.
Waldo Lake has long been a haven for paddlesport enthusiasts. With a 10 m.p.h. speed limit, the "need for speed" crowd went elsewhere. More recently, Waldo became one of the few lakes of its size to ban gas-powered motors. That has enhanced this unique paddling opportunity by offering greater peace and safety for the motorless crowd. Meanwhile, the lake's pristine environment has been protected from the contamination that comes with fuel and lubricant spills while wildlife has been spared disruption and toxic pollution. Now this happy circumstance is threatened.
The Oregon State Marine Board is considering opening Waldo to gas motors and even float planes. The 10 m.p.h. restriction, we're told, will stay in place, though it's unclear how many float planes can take off and land at 10 m.p.h. All in all, it's hard to see much merit in this proposal, a conclusion echoed in a number of the articles published on the issue. A sampling includes: http://www.oregonwild.org/waters/waldo-lake http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120116/NEWS0107/201160357 http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/27481658-47/ban-lake-gas-waldo-board.html.csp http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120116/UPDATE/120116034/Oregon-Marine-Board-may-rethink-Waldo-Lake-motorboat-ban-
So far, the OSMB web site doesn't appear to have any information on the proposed changes. That may change when the agenda for the next board meeting is published. Things may come to a head as soon as April, so stay tuned. Is it too early for the "Occupy OSMB" Facebook page?
The Army Corps of Engineers has ceased operation of the locks at Willamette Falls, near Oregon City. It is unclear at this time what that may mean for paddlers wishing to portage at the facility. OregonLive covered the story here: http://www.oregonlive.com/west-linn/index.ssf/2011/12/willamette_falls_locks_deemed.html
Well, not without a current AISPP, you aren't. On Oregon's waterways, that is. The Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit can be picked up at the Marine Board's office, at 435 Commercial St NE #400 or use this form to order through the mail: http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/Clean/docs/2012AISPTyvekOrderForm.pdf
It's also time to renew your ODFW parking permit, if you use one. That can be done here: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/online_license_sales/parking.asp
Pete McSwain writes to inform us that a new draft map of the Nestucca Water Trails is available at: http://www.tbnep.org/images/stories/education/WaterTrail/draft_maps_january_2012.pdf
If you wish to learn more about these water trails, try the sites of the Nestucca, Neskowin and Sand Lake Watersheds Council, http://www.oregoncoast.com/nnwc/ and the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, http://www.tbnep.org/news/67-general/216-the-tillamook-county-water-trail-tcwt-is-coming-to-the-nestucca
Managing agencies are looking to site a new access point for paddlers and other light craft on the Tualatin. As part of the process, they are holding an upcoming open house to solicit public input. The email I received follows.
Find out about plans to improve access to paddling on the Tualatin River. Metro and project partners are studying two Metro natural areas to determine the best place for a new light water craft (canoe, kayak, etc.) launch site. An entry point on the river will offer new recreational opportunities, increase public access to the Tualatin River and promote public awareness of water quality issues and wildlife habitat protection. Learn more about the project and give feedback on the potential sites at a community open house: Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Clean Water Services Administration Building Complex 2550 Southwest Hillsboro Highway For more information about the project visit www.oregonmetro.gov/tualatinriverstudy Brian Wegener Advocacy & Communications Manager Tualatin Riverkeepers
The Oregon Board of Forestry is looking at tightening logging rules to protect water quality in waterways adjacent to cutting operations. New science supports the move, with findings that logging on private lands is increasing water temperature in affected streams. The Statesman featured an article on the issue, here: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120109/UPDATE/120109027/Oregon-Board-Forestry-looks-logging-rules-protecting-streams
An interesting video on Reuters features time-lapse photography of our state. A striking view of our natural bounty: http://www.reuters.com/video/2011/11/30/time-lapse-images-reveal-oregon-in-all-i?videoId=226022806&videoChannel=6
The BBC ran photos from Google Street View showing the before and after in Japan's tsunami-hit north. If you know someone who needs a little reminder of the power of water, this should provide it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16157549
The view from space features water rather prominently; the substance does pretty well cover the planet, after all. That satellite's view often reveals things about waterways and water bodies that aren't apparent from the surface of our sphere. So it is that a view of the Rakaia River in New Zealand has won an award for satellite imagery. The BBC expands, here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16529540
If you've ever wondered what the world sounds like from underwater, here's your chance to find out. The BBC has audio clips of both natural ocean sounds and those generated by acts of man. The recordings largely feature those from an acoustic array off Vancouver Island. The sounds range from an orca pod, to the March Japanese earthquake, to a motorized "super yacht". Give a listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16555916