The Willamette is one of Oregon’s most popular waterways for boating. In 2005, approximately 387,000 boat use days were logged—most of that on the lower 18 miles of the river within Multnomah County.
A decade later we can assume there are lots more boats on the Willamette. Here are a couple of everyone’s favorite destinations:
Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island is popular for bicycle rides (Gillihan Loop Road is 12 miles), nature walks and fruit and vegetable stands. More than 1,000 acres are cultivated each year. Grains seeded in the fall provide green forage for wintering ducks and geese.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
After mooring at Riverplace Marina, the park offers boaters a chance to walk, jog or bicycle along several miles of Portland’s urban waterfront. It also provides access on the south end to Riverplace, a complex of restaurants, shops, a hotel and condos. The Hawthorne and Steel bridges connect pedestrians and bicyclists to the Eastside Esplanade and to the pathway to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Willamette Falls Locks
The locks at West Linn were placed into service in 1873. The wooden locks are the oldest continuously operating multi-lock system in America. A museum exhibits many historic photographs and artifacts. Picnic area and restrooms are available.
For more information about Oregon boating, visit www.oregonparks.org
