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Summer Riverscape
From The Riverkeeper
(T his muddy water is the result of 4ft waves on the Newberg Pool stretch from "wake surfing" boats. Turbid water can have a very real impact on the benthic community from macroinvertebrates to fish. )

Hello Friends - 

I hope you are all having a great summer, and have been able to spend a bit of time on, or along the Willamette. 

In the past few weeks we’ve done a lot of work for the river. We had an instrumental role in getting HB 2351 passed, which will help protect the Willamette’s habitat against the force of artificial “surf wakes.” It will take affect in January of 2020. 
This has turned out to be our busiest summer to date. We have already engaged hundreds of people on the Willamette River in the past month between our new Pinot Paddle, our 4th Annual Greenway Celebration paddle trip (pictured here), our aquatic invasive weed trainings, our Elk Rock Island paddle and hike, and our recent Paddle and Pull trip. 
WR has also been busy with a range of policy issues related to water quality, and the Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup. As usual, the work continues. 

We are happy to announce our move into a new office in the next couple of weeks just a block from the Tilikum Crossing on the east side of the river, along with other members of the Portland Boathouse. This will hopefully be a temporary move as the collection of organizations who are part of the current Boathouse found a new Portland River Center over the next couple of years. Stay tuned for more on that. 

As always, thanks to all of your who support our mission financially. Our work is only possible with the support you provide. If you are not a donor,  please join us TODAY with a monthly plan, or a one time gift. 

Thanks again,

Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
Aquatic Invasive Paddle + Pull- 7/30
WHAT:  Aquatic Plant Paddle + Pull

WHEN:  Tuesday, 7/30 from 9:30am - 3:30pm

WHERE:  Corvallis Reach of the Willamette River (Crystal Lake to Michaels Landing)

DETAILS: The Willamette River supports diverse native plant and wildlife populations and provides clean water to Oregonians. Land managers, scientists, and concerned citizens are working together throughout the Willamette Basin to address the growing issue of aquatic invasives.  Join staff from Willamette Riverkeeper, Benton SWCD, members from the Willamette Mainstem Cooperative, and members of the Willamette Aquatic Invasive Network paddle-and-pull outing.

Participants will learn to identify aquatic weeds and effectively hand pull priority aquatic weeds. Paddle your own boat, or reserve a space in a Willamette Riverkeeper canoe. Water Weed Field Guide provided .

BRING: Pack two full water bottles, a warm layer, sun protection (glasses, hat and sunscreen), brown bag lunch, snacks, and closed-toe shoes . 
Got Mussel? Come Volunteer! 7/31 - 8/2
(Above: Meet our awesome summer intern, Amanda Gallegos , a PNW native who enjoys backpacking, being on the water and quality time with her dog child, Nimbus. She is currently the Event Coordinator and Assistant Manager at Patagonia Portland with a background in Environmental Studies.)

Come Join us for the Middle Fork Mussel Study!

If you have a bit of time, can stand in a river for most of the day (in a drysuit or wetsuit), you like to snorkel in freshwater, and have an interest in freshwater mussels - do we have a deal for you! On July 31 through August 2nd we will be conducting a mussel study on the Middle Fork Willamette, just a few miles south of Eugene. If you can volunteer for a day, two days or all three, we can use you. If you can do more than one day, we have a nice big group campsite along the Middle Fork about 20 minutes from our project site. Also, we have plenty of work if you simply want to record data, be a support paddler etc. 

If you have an interest, email Travis at  travis@willametteriverkeeper.org  for all of the details.
Volunteer! Trashy Tuesday- 8/20
Come get dirty for GOOD with us! This month we have the following opportunities to be a River Guardian and participate in a river clean up:

EUGENE and SPRINGFIELD- Trashy Tuesday, 8/20 from 8:00am - 1:00pm
We'll be hosting two sites, the first will start at Island Park boat ramp in Springfield, and float down to Alton Baker boat ramp in Eugene. The second effort will begin at Alton Baker boat ramp and take out at Beltline.

See here for Details & Registration
Willamette River Festival- 8/24
Get to know your Willamette River and enjoy a celebration of history, culture, ecology and recreation! Learn more about the indigenous cultural history in the Willamette Valley and connect to the river by walking, pedaling, or paddling your way around the festival.

Enjoy a variety of fun and family friendly interactive games and activities! 

For more information please visit  www.willametteriverfest.org
Thanks Phil
A while back, long-time Board members Phil Baus completed his 6-years on the WR Board, having served two, three year terms. Phil has been a wonderful presence on the Board, being an active paddler, always making time for meetings, and helping out over the years in various ways. 

Over the past several years he and his granddaughters Meghan and Kendall have taken part in Paddle Oregon, and last year Phil was a key component of the PO ground crew helping to make sure our camps were ready to go. 

He has also contributed myriad Ukeleles to our mix over the years for fundraisers and outright gifts that he learned to build with his excellent woodworking skills. His craftsmanship is wonderful as is his creativity and thoughtfulness in design. 

Phil has a real dedication to river health, and working to get people on the river. While Phil will still be involved in WR’s volunteer activities, we want to say a big Thank You Phil! We very much appreciate you, your personality, and effort. 
LAST CALL for Paddle Oregon 2019: 8/12 - 8/16
Save The Date- Great Willamette Clean Up: 10/5
Hosted on the first Saturday of October, our annual Great Willamette Clean Up is a river-wide, community day-of-action. Volunteers participate by canoe, kayak, SUP board, raft, motor boat, jet ski, drift boat, bike, and by foot to free our river of trash and debris, while improving habitat and community spirit along the way. Cleanup sites are posted throughout the basin, and our on-line registration for this event will open in September. Several areas host post-cleanup celebrations that include lunch, local frothy beverages, and “trash-talk.”