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July Riverscape 

-special edition- 

JOIN us on YOUR River! 

In This Newsletter
From the Riverkeeper
Just How Rad is Your River?
Float-to-the-Farm Chatoe Rogue Salmon Bake: Sunday, 7/14
River Discovery- Urban Islands & Streams: Saturday, 7/20
Paddle to Protect Ross Island: Tuesday, 7/23
Volunteer Opportunity- Restoration Work Party: Saturday, 7/27
Featured on Paddle Oregon 2013- Register Now!
Take a Virtual Tour of the Willamette Superfund Site
Portland Bridge Swim: Sunday, 7/21
New Belgium Brewing Clips Beer & Film Tour: Thursday, August 1st
Something's Fishy

From the Riverkeeper

 

A friendly flyover on the Willamette at Wheatland Bar (KR)

 

Hey Willamette Friends:

 

Over the past decade WR has been a strong advocate for the Willamette. We've worked to better implement the Clean Water Act, to spur better fish passage, conducted restoration projects, pushed to cleanup the Superfund site and more. We will keep at it on all of those fronts.

 

We have also found great value in getting people on the Willamette River, usually in low impact craft like canoes and kayaks, to see the river and experience it. By now we've  engaged thousands of people in our River Discovery program. We've found that when we heighten the connection to the river in this way, that our work to improve the river's condition is strengthened in a variety of ways.

 

With this in mind, we have a fantastic schedule and variety of river trips that you can take with us over the next month, so be sure to read on! 

 

McKenzie River at Martin's Rapid (TW)

I was lucky enough to paddle a great stretch of the McKenzie River, a fantastic Willamette tributary, this past weekend. I can tell you that it furthered my connection to that river. After not paddling it for a couple of years, I was reminded how important it is to the Willamette with its clear and cold water, and of course, it is simply beautiful as well. 

 

So, get out there with us! We will continue to work hard to get you connected to your home river, and if you can't join us over the next month, stay tuned for more opportunities. 

 

See you on the river, 

 

Travis

 

Travis Williams 

Riverkeeper & Executive Director
 
Just How Rad is Your River?

   

 

Your river recently received the highest of accolades from an international paddle sports publisher... 

 

The Early Summer 2013 edition of Rapid Media's Canoeroots Magazine features our own Willamette River Water Trail as... 

 

One of 13 
"Amazing Adventures" and 
"Awesome Canoe Trips of a Lifetime" 
in North America! 

 

Also featured was the Bowron Lakes circuit and the Yukon River... and did we mention the Willamette? Download a FREE digital copy today.

 

Last summer Riverkeeper helped establish the Willamette as one of 11 exemplary "National Water Trails" in the US, as appointed by the US Dept. of the Interior's National Park Service Rivers & Trails Program.

 

This spring we launched the NEW Willamette Water Trail website, complete with hundreds of images of access points and campsites, google maps, and "Itinerary Inspiration."

 

So why not get out there and explore this beautiful river already? It's WAY closer than the Yukon! 

 

Float-to-the-Farm Chatoe Rogue Salmon Bake: Sunday, 7/14
The Buena Vista Ferry, downstream of Buena Vista Park (Barbara May)

 

Float with us and enjoy a family friendly day of fun benefiting Willamette Riverkeeper!

 

What: Float-to-the-Farm paddle trip & Chatoe Rogue Salmon Bake

When: Sunday, 7/14 Paddle meetup @ 12pm, Farm Tour @ 3pm, Games @ 4pm, Salmon dinner @ 5pm

Where: Chatoe Rogue 3590 Wigrich Rd, Independence

Cost: $25 includes paddler shuttle, salmon, sides, & a Rogue beer or NA beverage. 

 

Details: Rogue Brewing's Mirco Hopyard is nestled along the Willamette River, south of Independence, OR (once the hop-growing capital of the world) on the site of the historic John Haas Alluvial Hop Farm. This is the birth place of the Chatoe Rogue series and Farmstead Nano Brewery ales. 

 

The picturesque farm is surrounded by cherry and filbert orchards, and is home to several osprey nests. Seven hop varieties climb trellises spanning 42 acres, and are harvested and baled on site. The Chatoe Rogue tasting room is also located on the Hopyard. 

 

 

Meet at Chatoe Rogue Farm at 12pm, from there we will all shuttle to Buena Vista Park where we will launch. Enjoy a leisurely 4 mile paddle back to Chatoe Rouge's beach (about 1.5 hours). At the Chatoe kids and adults will enjoy a guided tour of the farm, meeting/feeding farm animals, running through the hop trellises, lawn games, and watching members of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs bake wild salmon over an open fire.  

 

Register to paddle with [email protected], WR canoes are available upon request (must recruit your own paddling partner). 

 

You must buy your salmon bake tickets in advance HERE! Hurry, space is limited.
 
 
River Discovery- Urban Islands & Streams: Saturday, 7/20 

 

Join us for our Urban Islands & Streams paddling adventure!  

 

When: Saturday, July 20th, arrive @ 9:30am for a 10am launch

Put-in: Dahl Park in Gladstone

Take out: Jefferson St. Boat Ramp in Milwaukie (off the water around 2:30pm, then we'll run the shuttle)

Total Distance: 6.5 river miles

 

Details: In partnership 
A rather feisty urban stream dweller (KR)
with our friends at the 
North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP), Johnson Creek Watershed Council, and Tryon Creek Watershed Council...

We'll seek out the hidden confluences of several urban waterways including Rinearson, Boardman, River Forest, Tryon, Kellogg, and Johnson Creeks, and discuss various restoration efforts. In addition we'll explore four urban islands: Goat, Cedar, Hog, and Elk Rock.     

Bring: water, snacks/lunch (we'll find a picnic spot on the river), sunglasses, sun screen, a waterproof camera or binoculars, and pack extra layers just in case (or perhaps a swimsuit)!  

 

 

If we are lucky, WR memeber Wendy K. will share her blueberries with us at lunch! (KR)

To Register: to reserve a tandem canoe or join us in your own canoe or kayak contact Kate at [email protected] or 503-223-6418. Participants using a Willamette Riverkeeper canoe must recruit their own paddling partner.

ALSO AVAILABLE are seats
in one of LCEP's Big Canoes*, contact McKenzie at [email protected] or 503-226-1565 x 229. 

 

*NOTE: The Big Canoes will launch from the boat ramp at Meldrum Bar, while all other boats will launch just a little further down the road at Dahl Park beach. These two groups will be guided separately.

 

This trip requires a shuttle! We welcome you to set your own shuttle. For those registering with Willamette Riverkeeper, a limited number of seats are available to shuttle drivers from the take-out, back to the put-in (approximately a 10-13 minute drive) to collect your vehicles. If we help with your shuttle, you will leave your boat behind at the take-out where it will be supervised, and we will take drivers back to the parking lot next to Dahl Beach at the put-in. 

 

Paddle to Protect Ross Island: Tuesday, 7/23 
GBH takes flight from Ross Island, the wading mergansers approve (KR)  

 

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and Portland Parks and Recreation City Nature in spending an adventurous evening exploring this Urban Greenspace gem! 

 

What: Paddle to Protect Ross Island

Evening light on the Willy (KR)

When: Tuesday, July 23rd from 5:30pm - 8:30 pm* 

(*also offered on Tuesday, August 6th same time)

Where: Meet in the SE Portland Boathouse parking lot, near the East Bank esplanade (1515 SE Water Ave)  

 

Ross Island provides an oasis of nature in the middle of our city. It is home to nesting bald eagles and great blue herons. More than a hundred species of birds use Ross Island during their annual migrations, and federally listed Chinook, Coho and steelhead use its shallow water habitat as they move up and down the Willamette. On any given day, boaters may have the thrill of seeing beaver, otter, and even deer swimming in the narrow Holgate Channel that lies between Ross Island and nearby Oaks Bottom Natural Area.   


We will paddle to the Island and discuss it's history, ecology, and on-going restoration efforts. Use your own canoe/kayak or reserve a seat in a WR canoe! 


To Register: contact Marissa Dorais at (503) 823-7016 or [email protected]. Space is limited!

 

Volunteer Opportunity- Restoration Work Party: Saturday, 7/27 

 

This furry guy waiting in the OPRD jet boat is ready-to-go! (Kelly Otto)

 

This restoration work party will offer a unique opportunity to explore a scenic floodplain of the Upper Willamette River. Even more exciting- volunteers will be transported to the site via jet boat!

 

What: Sam Daws Landing Restoration Work Party

When: Saturday, July 27thfrom 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: meet at McCartney Park at 10am 

 

View of Sam Daws (Scott Youngblood)

Sam Daws Landing (River Mile 145-46) is a Greenway site owned and managed by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. This gravel bar makes for an ideal boat-in only picnic spot or camping site along the Willamette River Water Trail. The focus of the work party is to hand-pull a species of knapweed, which is a noxious weed listed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. 

 

Join OPRD Ranger Scott Youngblood and Riverkeeper staff at the McCartney Park boat launch at 10am. From there, volunteers will be shuttled to the fieldwork site in the OPRD jet boat. Enjoy the beautiful view, and help your river too!

 

Bring: 2 water bottles, lunch, snacks, sun protection, and... perhaps a swimsuit!

 

To Register: space is limited, contact [email protected]

 
Featured on Paddle Oregon 2013- Register Now!

   

Paddle Oregon participants beckon you to join them! (Dirk Wittig)

 

NOTE: Our 5-day Paddle Oregon aquatic adventure will not be available again until 2015 

 

Registration CLOSES on July 15th    

   

In addition to gorgeous river views, gourmet meals, nightly happy hour featuring local beers and wines, and numerous educational opportunities, we also pride ourselves on featuring exceptional local musicians. 

 

The Steel Magnolias The award-winning Steel Magnolias are a group of women who play beautiful island music on authentic steel drums from Trinidad.  
 

Gideon Freudman

Frequently featured on
NPR and Good Morning America, Gideon is an electric cello innovator, composer, and songwriter, who plays with real time looping gear and fertile imagination to create what he calls "CelloBop". Gideon has opened for popular bands such They Might be Giants, Loudon Wainwright, Phish, and many others. 

 

 

 

 

 

 This bluegrass band-of-brothers proclaim themselves to be Central Oregon's "feistiest acoustic attack" and we can attest to that!

 

 

 

 

The Byron Lord & Johnny Powell Duo

These supremely talented jazz musicians will provide the perfect accompaniment to wine tasting at Arcane Cellars & Wheatland Winery Vineyard!  

 

 

 

Take a Virtual Tour of the Willamette Superfund Site

 

Our river is a reflection of our community.

Take 13 minutes to better understand what is happening in YOUR river...  

Portland Harbor Tour
Willamette River Superfund Site- A Virtual Tour

The prequel video "Willamette Superfund Basics" is also available. 

 

 Portland Bridge Swim: Sunday, 7/21


This popular race is a benefit for Willamette Riverkeeper

 

We invite you to show your support by: swimming, spectating, or volunteering as a safety paddler or motor boat support!  Motor boat supporters will receive $100 for gas- please help!

 

Please contact Portland Bridge Swim mastermind Marisa Frieder at [email protected] 

  

 

photo: WR member Annette P. trains for an open water swim in the Willamette near Ash Island (KR) 

New Belgium Brewing Clips Beer & Film Tour: Thursday, August 1st

 

Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to WIN ME at Clips of Faith Beer & Film Fest!

  

New Belgium Clips Beer & Film Tour is a national festival where guests get to try NB's most esoteric beer offerings - up to 16 varieties on tap! - and pair them with inspiring short films created by fans. The best part is that 100% of the proceeds from beer sales benefit Willamette Riverkeeper!   

 

So bring your favorite picnic blanket and join us Thursday, August 1, at Waterfront Park to sit under the stars and admire the river, sip beers, enjoy food carts, games, films, friends and a chance to win a New Belgium Cruiser Bike! Seriously, helping your home river never tasted so good!

The Portland Clips festival is the ONLY peddle and PADDLE-in friendly venue on the tour!

  

To Paddle-In: Park at the SE Portland Boathouse, pack your kayak or canoe with a comfy blanket, and paddle over to the Waterfront Park beach (remember to bring a light). 

 

To Pedal-In: Another great option, additional bike racks will be available for your convenience.

 

VOLUNTEER! We need your HELP; it will take 56 river-loving volunteers to help make this event a success. PLEASE contact [email protected] or call 503-223-6418.

 

Volunteer incentives include... 

  • a New Belgium Brewing t-shirt
  • take-home beer (21 & over)
  • a chance to win a custom New Belgium Cruiser BIKE!   

Clips of Faith Volunteer Roles include:

Paddle-in! (KR)

 

Set-up Crew

Heavy lifters are needed on site anytime between 10am and 4pm on Thursday August 1st.

All evening volunteers are needed to help break down the event (which takes about 45 minutes after close).

 

Beer Servers

We need a strong volunteer base here in the form of pourers and servers, and folks that can keep the line moving! Servers do NOT need to have an OLCC permit (but if you do, it's a bonus!). YOu will need to check for wristbands. Volunteers will not be changing any kegs, but will be responsible for informing NBB staff when that needs to be done.

 

Beer Gypsies

The beer gypsies will be given trays that have a shoulder strap around their shoulders and hold a dozen 3 oz samples of beer. They roam the event with a specific flavor of beer checking for wristbands and taking tokens.

 

Beer Gypsies!

ID Check: Wristbands & Beer Tokens

These folks are responsible for making sure every single person served at the event is of legal drinking age.  ID checkers approve the guest's valid ID card and (assuming it is valid) they give the guest a wristband, and send them to the beer token booth. Volunteers will sell tokens and quickly explain about the flow of the event.


Fun & Games

Volunteers are needed to staff game booths such as the "beer adventure game", "taste test", "hop kitchen", "fat tire booth", and "merchandise tent".  

 

Invite your friends and share the Portland Clips Beer & Film Festival event on Facebook.

 

Something's Fishy

 

 

 

Congrats to Chad Washington who recently caught this beautiful, 8ft Sturgeon in the Willamette near Harrisburg! After a 30 minute fight and 3 leaps out of the water it was landed, admired, photographed and RELEASED. Special thanks to Oliver Snead for sharing this photo with us (photo by Todd Washington).  

 


Travis Williams- Riverkeeper & Executive Director   
Kate Ross- Outreach & Education Coordinator
Marci Krass- Restoration Coordinator 
Suzi Cloutier- Water Quality Monitoring Program Coordinator
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