| Navigation Hazards & Health Advisories |
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| Navigation Hazards: |
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Boaters: Be advised that as the snow melts and water levels rise, expect increased debris in the water, turbulence, strong currents, and low visibility. Maintain a sharp lookout, and be properly equipped with life jackets, throw ropes, and other equipment in case of an emergency.
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| North Santiam River -Linn and Marion Counties |
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6/25/09 UPDATE
The hazard on the North Santiam has been cleared! The (very) large cottonwood tree has been cut and the largest section of the tree is now along the bank on the right-hand side of the channel.
A special thanks go to:
*David Neal -Owner, Agricultural Drainage Corporation, who donated time, equipment and fuel.
*Allen Huskey -Western Whitewater Association
-Gary Weaver
-Matt Peltier
-Steve Morse
*James Wheeler
*Brian Thomas
*Jefferson Fire Department
* Marion County Marine Patrol -Sgt. Bill Sherburn, Deputy Dave Zahn, and Deputy Chad Lane
Another Hazard Near the Confluence of the North and South Santiam
Reports were received of a large cottonwood tree blocking the main channel near the confluence of the South Santiam. Signs have been posted upstream of the hazard by law enforcement over the weekend of June 20, 2009. River Guides and Steelheaders report that the present situation is non-navigable. It is not safe for novices. Law enforcement officials are working with a local contractor and hope to have the tree removed by Thursday, June 25, 2009.
Hazard Near the Confluence of the North Santiam and South Santiam Rivers
UPDATE:
On June 11, 2009, Marion and Benton County Marine Patrols, with the help of Corvallis Fire and civilian volunteers removed portions of this very hazardous obstruction.
Permanent warning signs will be posted at Green's Bridge and just above the navigation hazard. This area continues to be extremely hazardous due to river flows and a large log jam. The channel is opened enough for float and motorized traffic, but still requires skill to navigate. Suggested portage via the large gravel bar on the left, around the hazard.
There is still a submerged log that will remain a hazard for many years, according to law enforcement. The log is submerged (see image below -you can see the riffles) on the right side near where the log was cut:
Read more about the jam from the Albany Democrat Herald, June 10 edition:
Prepare before floating the river...
May and June, 2009 
Northwest Steelheaders report that the areas between Green Bridge and Jefferson are extremely hazardous to boaters. At least a dozen rescues have been made since Memorial Day Weekendand with those being rescued suffering from injuries. The main flow of the river goes right under and into downed trees/root wads (aka -strainers). This area is particularly dangerous for people traveling down-river in inner tubes and inflatable craft, as they will be carried directly into the hazard and potentially pinned.
The most noted snags are in the lower part of the North Santiam, less than half a mile above the confluence with the South Santiam, about three miles below Green's Bridge. Boats will need to portage around the obstructions. The Northwest Steelheaders have offered to help cut out the problem snags.
If you plan on taking runs in this area, keep a sharp lookout ahead of all turns.
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| McKenzie River, RM 35.8 Near Finn Rock -Lane County |
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6/8/09
A large, 100' cottonwood tree has fallen and is obstructing the main channel of the McKenzie River at RM 35.8, approximately 3/4 of a mile below Finn Rock. The cottonwood is approximately 18" - 20" thick The property owner feels this is a significant hazard with large branches that strain ino the primary channel. A contractor has been contacted to assess the removal. Lane County Marine Patrol will work with the contractor and property owner on safe reomoval.
There are other fallen trees since the severe storm, so boaters are urged to keep a sharp lookout and avoid strainers/downed trees. Law enforcement personnel will also determine the best locations for safety signage.
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| Restricted Channel Notification -Tualatin River @ Fields Bridge |
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Beginning June 19, 2009 through September 30, 2010, the navigation channel on the Tualatin River at Fields Bridge will be restricted to 40 -ft wide by 10 -feet high. Work will include old bridge removal and new bridge installation. Signs and/or information advising the retriction will be installed June 1-5, 2009 by the Clackamas County Marine Patrol. Demolition of the existing bridge will start on or near July 15, 2009 and be complete around August 21, 2009. This may require some additional restrictions when the structure is being removed.
For more information, contact Eric Holland, Project Manager for Wildish Standard Paving Co. at 541-683-7753.
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| Marten Rapids -McKenzie River, Lane County UPDATE |
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6/23/09 UPDATE
Lane County law enforcement submitted photos of the -now- mitigated river channel, which was cleared during the weekend of June 20, 2009.
5/31/09 UPDATE -Law enforcement report that the tree continues to be problematic. Signs have been posted at all of the upstream ramps. According to law enforcement, the level of difficulty has increased to the already-dangerous rapid because of the blockage. The county is working on finding a contractor who can remove the log on the river-right, which is particularly dangerous to boaters. The other issue is water level. It is currently too high for anyone to safely remove the blockage.
4/27/09 UPDATE -Courtesy of KVAL CBS 13 Mark Furman
Leaburg, OR -Two large logs have obstructed the rapids on a stretch of the McKenzie River popular with anglers and boaters, creating a hazard for serious injury, said the head  guide at a Eugene-based river outfitter.
"Avoid running Marten Rapids unless (you) are very skilled," said Frank Armendariz, head guide and manager at Oregon River Sports. "I would put that in big caps and really emphasize it."
The log obstruction make the rapid too dangerous for most boaters -right on the eve of trout season, which opens Saturday.
"It's in the most popular section that people want to boat and fish in between Blue River and Leaburg," Armendariz said.
He recommends ending trips above the obstrction at Ben and Kate Dorris Park or starting below the obstruction at Prince Helfrich boat landing.
One of these trees, an old cedar with a large root wad, lodged in Marten Rapids last year and caused problems for some boaters.
"We did rescue a couple of parties off the rocks up at Martens," Armendariz said of the 2008 season. No one was hurt, and all the gear was recovered.
That might not be the case this year unless boaters exercise due caution: Just in time for the 2009 rafting and fishing season, the cedar has moved across the channel and been joined by a second log.
"The channel is severely restricted," Armendariz told KVAL News. "If somebody doesn't make that cut, the potential for a really serious injury there is really high right now."
Armendariz said Oregon River Sports has worked with the Oregon State Marine Board to develop a plan to remove portions of the trees from the channel.
Right now, the water is too high and too cold to allow that work to happen, he said, so Marten Rapids is "not a rapid that a recreational boater should be considering at this time," Armendariz said.
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Lane County Marine Patrol reports fallen trees that they deem hazardous just above Marten Rapids -near Ben and Kay Dorris State Park on the  McKenzie River. The trees block most of the river and have not moved with higher water.
The Marine Patrol has scouted the area and report that the rapids, from above, beside and below still offer options for boaters wanting to run the rapid. They advise to run the river left, center or river right. There is a tree on top of several rocks on the river -left of the center of the channel.
It's still possible another high water event will dislodge the logs. Marine Patrol officers will continue to evaluate the hazard and determine if any mitigation is warranted.
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| Willamette River, near Jasper in Lane County |
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UPDATE: On 6/1/09, Lane County officials and a private contractor mitigated this hazard. The river left is no longer obstructed.
3/26/09
 The fallen tree is near the Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm at 36777 Wheeler Road in Lane County. Signage has been posted upstream at the Dexter Dam and Jasper.
The left channel is completely obstructed, bank to bank with two trees at the waterline. The right channel is possible to drift, but not to jet boat. There is also a tree down in the right channel, but law enforcement report that it is passable.
The Lane County Marine Patrol is monitoring this hazard to see if mitigation is warranted.
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| Fall Creek, near the confluence of the Willamette River -Lane Cou |
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Lane County Marine Patrol report that river right is completely blocked by a strainer-about 100 feet above Fall Creek. The strainer is near the downstream end of the rock dike. The main channel, river left, is open. There are trees about to fall and Marine Deputies predict total blockage in the near future.
The property owner who lives river left at the confluence is working with law enforcement on future mitigation.
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| Rogue River -Above Foster Bar, Curry County |
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 The Curry County Marine Patrol advise there is a tree hazard in the middle of the channel above Foster bar. There is shallow bedrock on either side, making safe passage difficult. Law enforcment report that the hazard is deceiving, because it appears there is plenty of room in the channel to maneuver, but there isn't. Boaters, use extreme caution. Officials are waiting to see if the tree will dislodge with higher water.
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| Row River -Lane County |
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1/29/09
A fallen tree impedes boating downstream from the confluence of Layng Creek and Brice Creek. There was a similar hazard two years ago, that required the Marine Patrol and Forest Service to remove it for safe passage.
Because river flows are expected to increase, which will raise the water level, there's a good chance that the tree will be dislodged and travel downstream. If the tree does not dislodge, then the Marine Patrol or Forest Service personnel will cut the upper end for safe boating passage. Leaving the remaining log will provide prime fish habitat.
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| Other Hazards: |
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Willamette River -Multnomah County
11/10/08
The Marine Board received a report about debris from an old dock that is beached near the outfall of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Boaters are urged to keep a sharp lookout, since fall rains will undoubtedly dislodge the debris. Marine Law enforcement were alerted on November 11, 2008.
Photo and information courtesy of Mariann Nelson.
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| Health Advisories |
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Blue-Green Algae Advisories
When are advisories issued?
The Department of Human Services Public Health office of Environmental Toxicology evaluates bluegreen algae test data to determine whether algal blooms present hazards to animals or human beings. DHS does not have resources to collect or test algae samples, but DHS often receives reports of testing done by private contractors, researchers or other government agencies.
Why are advisories issued?
Algal blooms are common in surface waters throughout Oregon, and generally blooms contain many species of algae. Most algaes are harmless, but there are several species of bluegreen algae (also known as cyanobacteria) that may produce toxins that are potentially harmful. In Oregon the primary algaes of concern are Microcystis and Anabaena. Others may be identified in the future.
Advisories are issued by DHS when cell counts exceed certain limits or when potentially harmful toxin levels are found. Toxins in water may be absorbed by humans when swallowed, and when inhaled as droplets or spray in the air. Pets and domestic animals are at risk as well as human beings.
Advisories may include warnings against ingesting water, swimming or bathing, or inhaling water droplets. Advisories may also include information about treating water to reduce or eliminate toxins.
How long do advisories last?
Dangerous algal blooms may develop and disappear within a matter of days, or they may continue for weeks or months. The longest advisory period for any waterbody in Oregon to date began in early June and lasted into late November. The intensity of the bloom and the concentrations of toxin in a waterbody are not uniform. Often the algaes are most dense around the edges of the waterbody, but wind or water currents may change the location of affected areas very quickly.
Usually a dangerous bloom is associated with a distinct bluegreen color and cloudiness in the water. Algal blooms often produce large floating masses of green, yellow or bluish green slime. Visibly affected water should be avoided whether or not there is an official advisory in place.
Blue-Green Algae Health Concerns in Oregon (pdf)- frequently asked questions about blue-green algae
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| Caution Urged for Dory Boats and Surfers |
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Cape Kiwanda
The Dorymen's Association and local surfers are working together on solutions to prevent
accidents on Cape Kiwanda. Tragedy hit the Pacific City cove on July 6, 2008 when a young surfer was seriously injured when a dory boat prop struck him.
Improved signage, better coordination between user groups and partnerships with local business to help distribute brochures with safety messaging are being developed to improve safety before Labor Day Weekend.
Local users know the risks of being on the beach. The Dorymen's Association and local surfers want to help educate and inform vacationers and out-of-towners (beach combers, kayaks, swimmers, waders, kite surfers, etc.) about the dory boat launching/beach landing, and being more aware of beach safety. Both groups want to help make the beach safe for everyone, and not impose regulations that prohibit any user group from doing what they enjoy.
For more information about the Dorymen's Association, visit: www.pcdorymen.com
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