Willamette River 79491 224694577 2008-07-10T00:24:57Z Finetooth 4788944 wikilinked Ross Island {{Geobox | River <!-- *** Name section *** --> | name = Willamette River | category = River <!-- *** Image *** ---> | image = USACE Fremont Bridge Portland.jpg | image_size = 300px | image_caption = The Willamette passing through downtown Portland <!-- *** Etymology *** ---> | etymology = <!-- *** Country etc. *** --> | country = United States | country_flag = 1 | state = Oregon | district_type = | district = <!-- *** Source *** --> | source = Confluence of [[Middle Fork Willamette River]] and [[Coast Fork Willamette River]] | source_location = near [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]] | source_region = [[Lane County, Oregon|Lane County]] | source_state = [[Oregon]] | source_elevation_imperial = 438 | source_elevation_note = <ref name ="gnis"/> | source_length_imperial = | source_lat_d = 44 | source_lat_m = 01 | source_lat_s = 23 | source_lat_NS = N | source_long_d = 123 | source_long_m = 01 | source_long_s = 25 | source_long_EW = W | source_coordinates_note = <ref name="gnis"/> <!-- *** Mouth *** --> | mouth_name = [[Columbia River]] | mouth_location = Portland | mouth_district = | mouth_region = [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah County]] | mouth_state = [[Oregon]] | mouth_country = | mouth_note = | mouth_lat_d = 45 | mouth_lat_m = 39 | mouth_lat_s = 10 | mouth_lat_NS = N | mouth_long_d = 122 | mouth_long_m = 45 | mouth_long_s = 53 | mouth_long_EW = W | mouth_coordinates_note = <ref name="gnis">{{cite web | work = [[Geographic Names Information System]] (GNIS)| publisher = [[United States Geological Survey]] (USGS) | date = [[November 28]] [[1980]] | url = http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1158060 | title = Willamette River | accessdate =2008-07-06}} Source elevation derived from [[Google Earth]] search using GNIS source coordinates.</ref> | mouth_elevation_imperial = 10 | mouth_elevation_note = <ref name="gnis"/> <!-- *** Geography *** --> | length_imperial = 187 | length_round = 0 | length_note = <ref name="length">{{cite web | title = The River | publisher = Willamette Riverkeeper | url = http://www.willamette-riverkeeper.org/nww1.htm | accessdate = 2008-07-06 }}</ref> | watershed_imperial = 11100 | watershed_round = -2 | watershed_note =<ref name="USGS realtime">{{cite web| title=National Water Information System: USGS 14211720 Willamette River at Portland | publisher = United States Geological Survey |date = 2008 | url = http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv/?site_no=14211720&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060| accessdate = 2008-07-06 }}</ref> | discharge_location = Morrison Bridge, Portland, {{convert|12.8|mi|km|1}} from [[River delta|mouth]] | discharge_round = -2 | discharge_imperial = 33800 | discharge_note = <ref name="USGS realtime"/><ref name = "Loy">{{cite book | last = Loy | first = Willam G. | coauthors = Stuart Allan, Aileen R. Buckley, James E. Meecham | title = Atlas of Oregon | publisher = University of Oregon Press | date = 2001 | pages = 164-65 | id = ISBN 0-87114-102-7 }}</ref> | discharge_max_imperial = 283000 | discharge_min_imperial = 4200 | discharge1_location = | discharge1_imperial = | discharge1_note = <!-- *** Map section *** --> | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | map1 = Oregon Locator Map.PNG | map1_size = 300 | map1_caption = Location of the mouth of the Willamette River in Oregon | map1_locator = Oregon <!-- *** Websites *** --> | commons = Willamette River }} The '''Willamette River''' (pronounced {{Audio-IPA|WillametteRiver-English.ogg|wɨˈlæmɨt}}) is a [[tributary]] of the [[Columbia River]]. The name was earlier spelled 'Wallamet' and is thought to be of native American origin. It is {{convert|187|mi|km}} long, lying entirely in northwestern [[Oregon]] in the [[United States]].<ref name ="length"/> Flowing northward between the [[Oregon Coast Range]] and [[Cascade Range]], the river and its tributaries form a basin called the [[Willamette Valley]] containing 70&nbsp;percent of Oregon's population,<ref>{{cite web | title = Willamette Basin Alternative Futures Analysis | publisher = U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |date= August, 2002 | format = [[PDF]] | url = http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/projects/alternativefutures/twopager.pdf | accessdate = 2006-11-16}}</ref> including its largest city [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], which sits along both sides of the river near its mouth on the Columbia. Its lush valley is fed by prolific rainfall on the western side of the Cascades, forming one of the most fertile [[agriculture|agricultural]] regions of [[North America]] that was the destination for many if not most of the immigrants along the [[Oregon Trail]]. The river was an important transportation route throughout much of the early history of the state, furnishing a means of conveying the vast timber and agricultural resources of the state to the outside world. Part of the river's [[floodplain]] (the [[Willamette Floodplain]]) was established as a [[National Natural Landmark]] in 1987; ten years later the river was named as one of ten national [[American Heritage Rivers]]. ==Description== The Willamette rises in three separate forks in the mountains south and southeast of [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], at the southern end of the Willamette Valley. The [[Middle Fork Willamette River|Middle Fork]] and [[North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River|North Fork]] rise on the western side of the Cascades between [[Three Sisters (Oregon)|Three Sisters]] south to [[Diamond Peak (Oregon)|Diamond Peak]], with the Middle Fork receiving the North Fork northwest of [[Oakridge, Oregon|Oakridge]] and flowing northwest through the mountains to the southern end of the Willamette Valley. The [[Coast Fork Willamette River|Coast Fork]] rises in the lower mountains south of [[Cottage Grove, Oregon|Cottage Grove]], flowing north to join the Middle Fork 2 mi (3.2 km) southeast of Eugene. [[Image:Willamette watershed.png|thumb|left|Map of the Willamette River watershed]] From Eugene, the combined river flows NNW across the plain of the southern Willamette Valley to [[Corvallis, Oregon|Corvallis]], then follows a zigzag course past [[Albany, Oregon|Albany]] and around the isolated hills in the central valley, passing west of downtown [[Salem, Oregon|Salem]]. From Salem it flows north in a [[meander]]ing course across the northwest plain of the valley, reaching the hills at [[Newberg, Oregon|Newberg]], where it turns sharply ENE along the hills, passing through an opening in the hills at [[Oregon City, Oregon|Oregon City]], the location of the [[Willamette Falls]] and the de facto [[head of navigation]]. From Oregon City it flows northwest, past [[Lake Oswego, Oregon|Lake Oswego]] and [[Milwaukie, Oregon|Milwaukie]] on the south edge of Portland, then passing between east and west Portland, where it is spanned by a series of urban bridges. Downstream of downtown Portland it flows northwest through the industrial port area of Portland Harbor, then splitting into two channels around [[Sauvie Island]], both of which hook around to enter the Columbia from the west, with the main channel entering on the north edge of Portland and the smaller [[Multnomah Channel]] entering approximately 15 mi (24 km) NNW at [[St. Helens, Oregon|St. Helens]]. [[Image:Wpdms shdrlfi020l willamette valley.jpg|thumb|Tributaries of the Willamette River]] The river's many tributaries drain the surrounding valley as well as portions of the Cascades and the Coastal Range. Downstream from the confluence of its forks, it is joined by [[McKenzie River|McKenzie]] on the north side of Eugene, and by the [[Long Tom River]] from the southwest approximately 10 mi (16 km) south of Corvallis. It is joined by the [[Marys River|Marys]] from the west at Corvallis, and the [[Calapooia River|Calapooia]] from the southeast 5 mi (8 km) northeast of Corvallis, and It is joined by the [[Santiam River|Santiam]] from the east and the [[Luckiamute River|Luckiamute]] from the west within 1 mi (1.6 km) of each other approximately 5 mi (8 km) north of Albany. It is joined by the [[Yamhill River|Yamhill]] from the west at [[Dayton, Oregon|Dayton]], by the [[Molalla River|Molalla]] from the southeast near [[Canby, Oregon|Canby]], by the [[Tualatin River|Tualatin]] from the west at [[West Linn, Oregon|West Linn]], and by the [[Clackamas River|Clackamas]] from the southeast at [[Gladstone, Oregon|Gladstone]]. The river forms part of the boundary of the following counties: [[Benton County, Oregon|Benton]], [[Linn County, Oregon|Linn]], [[Polk County, Oregon|Polk]], [[Marion County, Oregon|Marion]], [[Yamhill County, Oregon|Yamhill]] and [[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas]]. Tributaries of the Willamette River also drain some or all of [[Lane County, Oregon|Lane]], [[Washington County, Oregon|Washington]] and [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah]] counties. Although [[riverboat]]s navigated the upstream part of the Willamette into the first decades of the 20th century, currently there is little commercial traffic on the river above the [[Willamette Falls]]. The [[Willamette Falls Locks]] allow boat traffic, primarily recreational vessels, around the falls. The river is crossed by three ferries along its route in the Willamette Valley. The three ferries are located (from south to north) at Buena Vista, Wheatland, and Canby. The only locks on the river are located at Oregon City. The Willamette River is prone to periodic floods. Notable floods include events in 1861 (which destroyed [[Linn City, Oregon]]), 1899, 1964, and the [[Willamette Valley Flood of 1996]]. [[Image:Willamette River.jpg|thumb|The Willamette River at [[Harrisburg, Oregon|Harrisburg]]]]The river below Willamette Falls is subject to [[tide|semidiurnal tides]] caused by the [[Pacific Ocean]], but also with the effects of dams on the [[Columbia River]] and Willamette river basin which are regulated for [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] power generation. Reverse flow has been observed as far upstream as [[Ross Island (Oregon)|Ross Island]] at ([[river mile]] 15).<ref>{{ cite web | first = James M. | last = Caldwell | coauthors = Micelis C. Doyle | title = Sediment Oxygen Demand in the Lower Willamette River, Oregon, 1994 | publisher = Oregon Department of Environmental Quality | format = PDF | pages = 4 | url = http://or.water.usgs.gov/pubs_dir/Pdf/95-4196.pdf | accessdate = 2006-11-16}}</ref> The lower river flow rate varies considerably by season and due to weather. Warm winter rains, for example, cause extensive mountain snow melt which significantly raises the river level and flow rate. The [[Willamette Valley Flood of 1996]] was an extreme combination of saturated ground, snow melt and heavy rain: The maximum flow rate is not known, however 283,000 cubic feet per second (8010 m³/s) was estimated on [[January 18]][[1974]] at river stage 23.84 feet (7.27 m). The peak river stage (measured at the Morrison Bridge gauge in downtown Portland) on [[February 9]][[1996]] was 27.74 feet (8.46 m). [[Flood]] stage is 18.0 feet (5.5 m). The other extreme occurred during a drought on [[July 10]][[1978]] at 4,200&nbsp;cu&nbsp;ft/s (120 m³/s).<ref name="USGS realtime"/> The Willamette's mean discharge rate is approximately {{convert|32000|cuft/s|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web | title = Willamette River Info. | publisher = Willamette Riverkeeper | url = http://www.willamette-riverkeeper.org/river1.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-02}}</ref> ==Environmental issues== The Portland Harbor section of the Willamette River between downtown Portland and its terminus at the Columbia River is heavily polluted from years of industrial development of the river and its banks. Historical and current activities include [[shipbuilding]], [[creosote]] manufacture, [[lead]] processing, and transfer and storage of [[petroleum]] products. State studies in the 1990s identified a wide variety of pollutants in the river bottom, including heavy metals, [[polychlorinated biphenyl]]s (PCBs), and [[pesticides]]. As a result of these studies, this section of the river was designated a [[Superfund]] site in 2000,<ref> {{cite news | url=http://portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=118341365933266700 | title= History of a Superfund cleanup bid | author= Lee van der Voo | work=Portland Tribune | date=[[July 3]][[2007]] | accessdate = 2008-02-12 }} </ref> involving the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] in cleanup of the river bottom.<ref> {{cite web | title = Portland Harbor Superfund Site | publisher = Oregon Department of Environmental Quality | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20061216212032/http://www.deq.state.or.us/nwr/PortlandHarbor/ph.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-16 }}</ref> The initial cleanup and containment of the pollutants is focused on the portion between [[Swan Island, Portland, Oregon|Swan Island]] and [[Sauvie Island]].<ref> {{cite web | url = http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/cleanup.nsf/sites/ptldharbor | title = Region 10 Cleanup: Portland Harbor | publisher = [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] | accessdate = 2008-02-12 }} </ref> The Superfund site is downstream from most of the river however and lies less than twelve miles from where the Willamette ends at the Columbia river. Further upstream the pressing environmental issues have been mainly variations in pH and dissolved oxygen.<ref> {{cite web | title = Processes Controlling Dissolved Oxygen and pH in the Upper Willamette River Basin | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey | date = 1994 | url = http://or.water.usgs.gov/pubs_dir/Pdf/95-4205.pdf | format = [[PDF]] | accessdate = 2008-02-12 }} </ref> In the Portland Metropolitan Area, these issues are exacerbated by sewer overflow events during periods of high rainfall. The city has embarked on expanding the sewer system in order to minimize these events through construction of the [[Big pipe project (Portland, Oregon)|Big Pipe Project]] part of the [[River renaissance (Willamette)|river renaissance]] project. Even further upstream however, the Willamette is not heavily polluted and is used by communities, such as the [[Tigard, Oregon|City of Tigard]], for drinking water. The major contaminants are from agricultural runoff. ==Big Pipe Project== Following an agreement between the City of Portland and the State of Oregon to reduce [[Combined sewer overflow]]s (CSOs) dramatically in 1991,<ref name="nwconstruction">{{cite web | url=http://northwest.construction.com/features/archive/0311_Cover.asp | accessdate = 2008-06-03 | title = Northwest Construction}}</ref> the Office of Sustainable Development began work on what it dubbed the "Big Pipe Project". The project consisted primarily of two large pipes on either side of the river. The project was part of a larger effort by the Bureau of Environmental Services to reduce CSOs through a series of combined efforts, which had already netted results of a 53&nbsp;percent reduction in CSO volume by 2003.<ref name="nwconstruction"/> The west side pipe, which is approximately {{convert|14|ft|m}} in diameter and travels from Southwest Clay Street to the Swan Island Pumping Station, was completed in 2006.<ref name="nwconstruction"/><ref name="portlandonlinecso">{{cite web | title = West Side CSO Tunnel Project | url=http://www.portlandonline.com/cso/index.cfm?c=30909 | accessdate = 2008-06-03 }}</ref> The pipe connects to the Southwest Parallel Interceptor, another pipe project approximately {{convert|6|ft|m}} in diameter, at Southwest Clay Street, which continues south for several more miles, covering the Portland Metro South Waterfront area. As of June 2008, the east side pipe is under construction and is slated for completion in December 2011.<ref name="portlandonlinecso2">{{cite web | title = East Side CSO Tunnel Project | url=http://www.portlandonline.com/cso/index.cfm?c=31727 | accessdate = 2008-06-03 }}</ref> The pipe, like its cousin, will connect to the Swan Island Pumping Station but will extend a full {{convert|6|mi|km}} south down the east bank.<ref name="oregonianpipe">{{cite news | title = A big pipe | newspaper = The Oregonian | year = 2007 | date = [[2007-12-11]] | accessdate = 2008-06-03}}</ref> The east side pipe, serving a much larger segment of population, is {{convert|22|ft|m}} wide and will be able to hold more than 83&nbsp;million gallons (310&nbsp;million [[Litre|L]]) of storm water and sewage.<ref name="oregonianpipe"/><ref name="portlandonlinecso2"/> Together the pipes and other CSO projects will provide a 94&nbsp;percent reduction in CSO volume by 2011, dramatically reducing one of the largest pollutants of the Willamette River.<ref name="oregonianpipe"/><ref name="portlandonlinecso2"/> {{wide image|WillametteRvrPano edit.jpg|1500px|The Willamette River as it passes through Portland, Oregon}} ==See also== {{Commons|Willamette River}} *[[List of crossings of the Willamette River]] *[[List of Oregon rivers]] *[[Oregon Country]] *[[Steamboats of the Willamette River]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.deq.state.or.us/lq/cu/nwr/PortlandHarbor/index.htm Portland Harbor DEQ cleanup] - Oregon state Department of Environmental Quality * [http://www.willamette-riverkeeper.org Willamette Riverkeeper] - Working to protect and restore the Willamette River * [http://www.portlandonline.com/river City of Portland River Renaissance] - Renewing Portlanders' connections to the River [[Category:American Heritage Rivers]] [[Category:Rivers of Oregon]] [[Category:Willamette River|*]] [[bn:উইল্যামেট নদী]] [[cs:Willamette (řeka)]] [[de:Willamette River]] [[es:Río Willamette]] [[fr:Willamette]] [[ja:ウィラメット川]] [[vi:Sông Willamette]] [[zh:威拉米特河]]