Willamette River
Latest Stories
Harmful algal blooms impact Willamette River
Health officials warn that algal blooms are particularly dangerous for young children and dogs.
Politics
Annual algae bloom forms on Willamette River. A bill to stop it died in the Oregon House
The bill would have provided $1 million in state funds to design a channel that could restore the Willamette River’s flow and stop the toxic algae blooms from forming.
Gov. Kotek weighs whether to veto funds for Willamette Falls inter-tribal project
In June, the Legislature earmarked $45 million for the project.
Environment
Portland considers joining international Swimmable Cities movement
After working for years to make the Willamette River safe for swimming, Portland is considering joining the Australia-based nonprofit Swimmable Cities in the push to clean up urban waterways worldwide.
Body of missing kayaker found in Willamette River
Investigators believe they have recovered the body of a 20-year-old man who went missing while kayaking in the Willamette River last month.
Portland
Search for missing kayaker continues in Willamette River
Emergency responders were still searching Monday for a California man who went missing while kayaking in the Willamette River over the weekend.
Pressure builds on Army Corps to produce years-late reports on Willamette River Basin dams
New federal study shows dams harming endangered salmon as Congress pushed for action.
Oregon Field Guide
Urban naturalist Mike Houck tracks great blue herons on the Willamette River
Longtime advocate Mike Houck reflects on a career of restoring nature in Portland while taking "Oregon Field Guide" on an urban safari to track the lifecycle of the great blue heron.
Science & Environment
Portland celebrates a year of not polluting the Willamette River with sewage
Portland's sewer system combines sewage and runoff into the same pipes. Sometimes heavy rains cause those pipes to overflow. But a sewer overhaul 14 years ago has drastically reduced this pollution.
Science & Environment
Hydroelectric dams on Oregon’s Willamette River kill salmon. Congress says it’s time to consider shutting them down
The newly signed legislation follows reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica that underscored the risks and costs associated with a plan to migrate salmon past hydroelectric dams using a giant fish collector and tanker trucks.
