Don't Park The Boat Yet
Plenty of Opportunity Awaits Oregon Boaters
Despite drought conditions, plenty of boating opportunity awaits Oregon boaters this summer. Boaters just need to use a little more caution and pick their destinations a little more carefully.
"Nearly all of our reservoirs have low water ramps," says Matt Rabe, Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District. "So even on reservoirs with low water, boaters can still get to the water." But not all the reservoirs are down, according to Rabe. On the Willamette River system, Foster, Dorena, Fall Creek, Dexter and Big Cliff reservoirs are full. Detroit, Green Peter, Lookout Point, Hills Creek and Cottage Grove are down, but all have year-round boating access, despite the low water. Blue River, Cougar and Fern Ridge reservoirs are the only three reservoirs without low-water ramps, but all still have usable ramps for now.
Also, in the Rogue River Basin, Lost Creek and Applegate reservoirs near Medford have low-water boat ramps that remain usable. "There are still good opportunities despite the low water," says Rabe. "Boaters just need to be more alert."
Barren, stump-covered shores have dominated news reports, apparently scaring many boaters from even launching. "We've been told that reservoirs like Hagg Lake, near Forest Grove, has little boat use, yet the ramp provides full access," says Randy Henry, of the Oregon State Marine Board. "It's also important to note that natural lakes across much of the state are in fine shape - Diamond, Crescent, Odell, Suttle and other Cascade lakes, the coastal lakes like Siltcoos, Tahkenitch and Tenmile - they're all full." Columbia River reservoirs also are full and provide good opportunity early in the day before the wind comes up. "Operators of small boats need to be cautious on big water, whether it's the Columbia, an estuary or the ocean. Those are issues faced every year, though," says Henry.
Henry and Rabe do offer this advice, especially in regards to the low water. The Willamette River is running very low. Above Newberg, deeper draft boats or boats with stern drives or larger outboards need to be especially cautious or avoid the river altogether. Portions of the Rogue River have similar issues. Even the lower Willamette River and the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam are showing some sandbars and other low-water hazards, but good boating opportunity remains for the prudent skipper.
“Wherever you choose to boat, watch for stumps, gravel or sand bars or submerged rocks. Scout an area before you decide to pull a skier or tuber," says Henry.
Up-to-date information on reservoir usability is available at the Marine Board web site, www.boatoregon.com, and via the Corps site at www.nwp.usace.army.mil. Boaters can find links to individual reservoirs showing water level in relation to boat ramps. "We also encourage you to call local park or facility headquarters or sporting goods stores for more detailed information," says Henry. "If boaters take a little extra caution, they can still enjoy a good summer on the water."
The following Willamette Valley reservoirs are listed with their current number of usable boat ramps: Hills Creek - 1; Lookout Point - 1; Dexter - 2; Fall Creek - All (3); Cottage Grove - 1; Dorena - All (2); Cougar - 2; Blue River - 1; Fern Ridge - 1 (marginal); Green Peter - 1; Foster - All (2); Detroit - 1; Big Cliff - 1.
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