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A bi-monthly round-up of news about the Willamette and Columbia
February 15, 2013  Image: brx0 on flickr.com |
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Events, Trips, and Other River Happenings
Winter birds at Smith and Bybee Wetlands. Saturday, Feb 16, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm. $6 per adult or $11 per family.
Baltimore Woods Planting Day. February 23, 9 am to 1 pm, 6600 N. Catlin Ave, Portland. "SOLVE and its partners are working to enhance a number of sites near Baltimore Woods. Volunteers will be planting native trees and shrubs to restore this urban watershed." SOLVE
 Willamette Riverkeeper's "Early Bird Special" paddle trip at Smith & Bybee Lakes.February 23; arrive @ 7:30am, paddle from 8am - 11am. "This is a wondeful time of year to explore Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. Our "early-bird" schedule is ideal for birding and for avoiding what can be strong winds that can sweep across these usually calm lakes. ... Jeff Locke with the "Friends of Smith & Bybee Lakes" will also join us and share his knowledge. For more information and to register: contact kate@willametteriverkeeper.org or call Kate at 503-223-6418. (Image: Metro)
15th Annual Johnson Creek Watershed Council WATERSHED WIDE EVENT. March 2, 9am-noon. "Volunteer to remove invasive species and plant trees at one of the 12 Watershed Wide restoration locations. Great family event. Complimentary lunch to follow event as well. Register here."
Slough 101. March 9, 8:45 am to 1 pm. "Learn about the history, water, wildlife, and current issues of the Columbia Slough at Slough 101. Slough experts will lead hands-on activities including a tour of a pump station and macroinvertebrate discovery. Pre-registration is required for this free workshop, and light refreshments will be provided. Suitable for adults and teens 14 & up." Columbia Slough Watershed Council
Celebrate Oaks Bottom's Bluff Trail. March 9, 10 am - 1pm, South Meadow of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. "Join Portland Parks & Recreation, the Urban Greenspaces Institute, Portland Audubon Society,the Sellwood Moreland Improvement League, Friends of Oaks Bottom and other community partners as we celebrate the grand re-opening of the Bluff Trail! Bring the whole family and enjoy: refreshments, kid's activities, bird watching, guided walks (RSVP suggested), photo display and more! ... For more information or to RSVP for a guided walk, contact Marissa Dorais at 503-823-7016 or marissa.dorais@portlandoregon.gov." (Image: Portland Parks)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Paddlers--Get Your 2013 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit Now. "The Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife remind operators of paddlecraft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, sailboats, etc.) that it's time to buy an aquatic invasive species prevention permit for 2013. Permits are required for paddlecraft and other non-motorized vessels 10 feet long and longer for both residents and nonresidents. Permits are transferable between boats, but each boat on the water needs to carry a permit."
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. "The United Nations Environment Programme has chosen Portland to host this year's World Environment Day on June 5. The celebration will include numerous events starting on Earth Day on April 22, and it will be part of other World Environment Day events in more than 120 countries across the globe. ... She praised the city for turning a highway into a riverfront park, for setting an urban growth boundary, for being the first city to develop a plan to reduce carbon dioxide, for its high percentage of bicycle commuters, for its high recycling rate, and for banning single-use plastic bags." OPB EcoTrope, Feb. 13 (Image: UN)
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OMSI cafe gets a remodel. "The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's cafe is undergoing an extensive remodel. The 9,100-square-foot space will officially reopen as Theory Jan. 31, 2013. It will feature sustainably sourced and mostly local foods" DJCOregon.com, December 7 (subscription req'd for full article).
"Theory, a new eatery at OMSI, reinvents the dining experience and invites guests inside the kitchen. Executive Chef Ryan Morgan and his team present honest ingredients, food sources and cooking techniques while each seasonal dish is prepared and served to curious observers of all ages. Through exhibits and events, Theory encourages visitors to explore the science of food. The open and airy 9,100 square-foot eatery with a prized riverfront view is a destination in its own right - open to all members of the public and featuring an entrance of its very own from the bordering Eastbank Esplanade. Further accessibility comes courtesy of the new Portland Streetcar east side route lending an opportunity for visitors to enjoy Theory's warm, industrial space and its many unique offerings." OMSI
Quartet to open in former Lucier space in South Waterfront. "Whether to run water through a man-made channel encircling this massive space isn't the sort of question restaurant managers typically have to ask themselves. Then again, this isn't a typical restaurant. ... The move opens up the view of the river, and on clear days patrons can see Mount Hood in the distance. In the bar, Taylor envisions a lengthy afternoon happy hour buzzing with downtown office workers and South Waterfront condo residents. ..." OregonLive.com, February 1
 Willamette Sailing Club Kicks Off Capital Campaign for Development of a New Sailing Center. "A new sailing center on the Willamette will ensure that the next generation of Oregon sailors has the same wonderful opportunities as the current sailors. WSC offers a sense of community, teaches river stewardship as well as learning sailing skills. ... Both members and the general public recreate and enjoy the beautiful sails on the river year round ... WSC received land use approval from the City of Portland for construction of the sailing center. A $1.3M budget has been developed, half of which will be comprised of private donations to provide space for sailing education programs for youth and adults." Willamette Sailing Club press release, January 24 .
Portland Rowing Club now 'parking sustainably'. "At the foot of S.E. Harney Street in Sellwood, tucked away behind a downhill curve, is a parking area that the Portland Rowing Club has used for close to half a century. Recently, however, Portland's Waterleaf Architecture (www.waterleafarch.com) oversaw the design and construction of two new covered parking structures for the club, complete with sustainable lighting and a "green" water treatment facility." Portland Tribune, February 7
 Seaport, Properties Record Gains Amidst Challenges. "In 2012, the Port of Portland's marine franchise recorded notable calendar year gains in steel and auto volumes despite disruptions related to a jurisdictional dispute and contract negotiations in the latter half of the year. While the 12.4 million tons handled last year was a decrease of about eight percent, it was also the sixth best tonnage year on record." Port of Portland news release, February 26 (Image: Rivers Office)
Columbia Slough Watershed Council to honor former Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, scientist Katy Weil. Metro News, January 31
Video from Willamette Riverkeeper's January River Discovery adventure.
Kellogg Creek Un-Dam It Video. "What if you could fix a past mistake, would you? How far would you go? And why would it matter? See behind and beyond the concrete block called Kellogg Dam as we look for answers that define us all." Straw Bale Films (More info at City of Milwaukie's Kellogg-For-Coho-Initiative site).
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A state park at Willamette Falls? "U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader sees potential for a San Franscisco-style waterfront in Oregon City and supports an effort to name the Willamette Falls a national historic area." Portland Tribune, February 6 (Image: Metro)
Missing Canemah Bluff link purchased at courthouse auction. "In less than three minutes on a rainy Monday in front of the Clackamas County Courthouse, Metro claimed the missing link in a stretch of bluffs it owns along the Willamette River. With that short time, plus $124,000 in money from a 2006 bond measure, the regional government locked up a 22-acre parcel in the middle of the Canemah Bluff Natural Area, just east of Oregon City and south of Highway 99E." Metro News, January 30
Hillsboro's trek to the Willamette River could begin soon, others to follow as suburbs plan for growth. "In fewer than 20 years, Willamette River water may flow from faucets and sprinkler heads, fuel businesses and water fountains, and course through a maze of pipes to customers throughout Washington County. ... Cities eyeing the Willamette River for water needs isn't a new phenomenon, according to Dwight French, water rights division administrator with Oregon's Water Resources Department. Municipal water rights are "in perpetuity," French said. There are about two dozens cities or other government entities with municipal water rights on the river, French said. Adair Village's rights date back to 1971." OregonLive.com, February 11
Forest Grove eyes project to bolster dam. "Another idea would have [Clean Water Services] pay to oversize the supply line from the Willamette River, allowing even more water to be pumped to Hillsboro if the city's supply from Hagg Lake is temporarily reduced or interrupted. In exchange, Hillsboro would allow CWS to use water it owns in Barney Reservoir, another - though much smaller - current source of that city's water. Duyck reasons that CWS could use that water to increase the flow in the Tualatin River in summer months until Scoggins Dam is repaired." Portland Tribune, February 13
 Failing Dike Prompts Emergency Translocation Of Endangered Columbian White-Tailed Deer. "Beginning this week, up to 50 deer will be translocated from the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for Columbian White-tailed Deer near Cathlamet in southeast Washington to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge near Ridgefield, Wash. The deer are being moved to save them from potential loss due to the impending failure of a dike between the JBH refuge and the Columbia River. If the dike fails, much of the refuge will be flooded, placing the deer at risk." Columbia Basin Bulletin, February 1 (Image ODFW)
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| Fun / Of Note |
 | | Water Life: Episode 2 - Water & Wood |
Jeremy Monroe of Freshwaters Illustrated announces the release of the second piece in the Willamette Futures collection of online shorts, Water & Wood: "[which] illustrates the powerful forces at work restoring the ecological values and functions of Oregon's Rivers. This project took place on the McKenzie River in the Willamette National Forest, and provides critical habitat for aquatic species like Spring Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, lamprey, and many other aquatic critters." See trailer for longer Willamette Futures film here. Willamette Water 2100 webinar video. "Anticipating water scarcity and informing integrative water system response in the Pacific Northwest. This project is evaluating how climate change, population growth, and economic growth will alter the availability and the use of water in the Willamette River Basin on a decadal to centennial timescale." More info here. To Tackle Runoff, Cities Turn to Green Initiatives. " 'Stormwater runoff is one of the largest water pollution issues facing the U.S. today,' says Larry Levine, a senior attorney in the Natural Resource Defense Council's water program. Now, however, numerous cities around the country - including Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Portland, and Seattle - have embarked on innovative stormwater runoff fixes that rely not so much on the old "gray infrastructure" of huge, piped systems and sewage treatment plants, but rather on new green infrastructure techniques to collect and treat stormwater at the street level." environment360, January 24  Environmental Services Using Innovative Ecoroof Designs on Facilities. "[The City of Portland Bureau of] Environmental Services has released a new specification for the design, construction, and operations and maintenance of a simple ecoroof. The specification was created for project managers within the City of Portland to have a quick and easy option for a self-sustaining, low-maintenance and low-cost ecoroof." City Green Blog, February 12
(Image: BES) In the Northwest, innovative projects use trees to cool streams. "Required by law to cool its wastewater, Medford considered traditional solutions, but refrigeration units or cooling towers are expensive and rely on power generated by river-blocking dams or coal. Instead, the city opted for an innovative new approach -- restoring trees and shrubs on riverbanks left bare by logging and agriculture." High Country News, February 4 (subscription req'd to view full article) Study Suggests Salmon Find Their Home Rivers Through Magnetic Imprinting. Columbia Basin Bulletin, February 8. Oregon State University Forming Consortium To Develop Drones For Environmental Monitoring, Research. "...to perform tasks that range from environmental monitoring to fighting forest fires, protecting crops or aiding law enforcement." Columbia Basin Bulletin, February 1 Boat inspection stations open in Oregon to target invasive species. "The aquatic invasive species boat inspection station at the Ashland Port of Entry will open on Feb. 11, 2013. Stations in Gold Beach, Klamath Falls, Lakeview and Ontario will open in the coming months. All vehicles carrying motorized or non-motorized boats (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, sailboats, etc.) are required to stop. ... In 2012, fifty-one of 4,675 watercraft inspected were contaminated with aquatic invasive species; 32 had plant material (i.e. Eurasian watermilfoil) or other non-native organisms (e.g. snails, saltwater mussels). Eighteen were contaminated with either quagga or zebra mussels. All boats were decontaminated." Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife news release, February 6 (Image ODFW) |
To view past River News Digests, click here.
NOTE: River News Digest is a compilation of interesting items and announcements relating to rivers-with a focus on better understanding, enjoying, and caring for our local rivers, while touching on items from around the country and the world. Please note much of the information is from sources other than the City of Portland [like news media, non-profit organizations, and other government agencies]. The Rivers Office lists these items for information purposes only and is not responsible for their content.
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