Salem-News.com Willamette River articles Page 1

Body of Buena Vista Man Recovered from Willamette River

Anyone having information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective John Williams or Sgt. Kevin Haynes at the Polk County Sheriff's Office; 503-623-9251.

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - A body was pulled from the Willamette River at Buena Vista Saturday afternoon. Officials say the deceased man was later identified as 63-year old Marvin Leonard Studer, a resident of the Buena Vista area.

Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies got the call around 2:30 p.m. and responded to the reported sighting of a body floating in the Willamette River. Buena Vista is an unincorporated area of Polk County south of Independence, Oregon.

Sternwheeler Willamette Queen Runs Aground Tuesday Night

Efforts to re-float the sternwheeler will resume in the morning

(SALEM, Ore.) - Nobody was hurt Tuesday night when the Willamette Queen ran aground in the Willamette River around 8:00 p.m.

The vessel, a landmark in Oregon's capitol city, struck a gravel bar which held the vessel fast where it currently remains with two crewmen aboard.

Sternwheeler Willamette Queen Runs Aground Near Oregon City

No injuries or serious damage was reported.

(OREGON CITY) - The Coast Guard is responding to the grounding of the sternwheeler Willamette Queen near Oregon City Sunday. Reports indicate that the 87-foot riverboat was being escorted by two Coast Guard Auxiliary vessels when it ran aground with 80 passengers and eight crew on board at approximately 5:30 p.m.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, two Coast Guard 25-foot smallboat crews from Station Portland, and a tugboat from Newburg, Ore. were dispatched to the scene, while the two Auxiliary vessels stayed with the Willamette Queen.

High River Levels Close Wheatland Ferry

Those who are accustomed to using the Wheatland Ferry will need to take alternate routes until notice is issued that the ferry is back in service.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Wheatland Ferry closed at 9:00 p.m. Friday January 1, 2010 due to high river levels. Officials say it is unknown at this point exactly when the vessel will again be in operation.

The ferry is one of the key links over the Willamette River once they leave the Salem area heading north. It is operated jointly through an agreement between Marion and Yamhill Counties.

Salem`s Willamette Queen Runs Aground Near McLain Island

Coast Guard responds to grounded vessel near Salem, Ore.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Coast Guard investigators found no pollution or apparent damage during the investigation into the grounding of the commercial passenger vessel Willamette Queen near Salem Monday.

The Willamette Queen had 22 persons aboard when it ran aground at approximately 7:00 p.m. Sunday near Mclain Island on the Willamette River, Coast Guard officials said.

Senate Votes in Support of Healthy Waterways for Oregon

Phosphorus limitations expanded to include household dishwashing detergents.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Rivers, lakes, and groundwater will be better protected with legislation passed this morning by the Senate. Senate Bill 631 extends the state’s ban on phosphorus to include household dishwasher detergent.

“This is a great bill for cleaning up Oregon’s rivers, streams, and lakes,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “Phosphorus can cause a buildup of algae that ultimately leads to biological death in some waterways.”

Multnomah Deputies Attempt to ID Body of Woman Found in Willamette River

There are no signs of foul play; but MCSO is still treating this as a suspicious incident, a spokseman said.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Police say a passerby spotted the body of a woman floating in the Willamette River under a dock at 9:00 a.m. today.

The woman is between 5'2" and 5'4" tall and weighs between 100 and 110 pounds. She is between 50 to 60 years old.

Heavy Rains Lead to Sewer Overflow in Willamette River

Signs will be posted warning people to avoid contact with the water in the Willamette River due to potentially high levels of bacteria.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Recent rainfall combined with saturated ground conditions have resulted in the City of Salem overflowing diluted raw sewage into the Willamette River.

The Union Street diversion structure activated at approximately 8:31 PM.

David A. Prock with Salem's Wastewater Collection Services, says that when the ground becomes saturated, groundwater enters the sanitary sewer from cracks and holes in the pipes in addition to footing drains and other sources of extraneous water from private property.

Weather Closes Oregon River and Bar Crossings

Coastal and inland waterways are dangerous, but the roads to the Oregon coast are clear.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Rivers in western Oregon are swelling with runoff from recent snow and coastal conditions have become hazardous in some areas.

Two Missing Anglers Prompt Search in Polk County

Fishing equipment was recovered from the banks of the fast moving river, but the two anglers remain missing.

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - Two brothers dropped off for a day of fishing at Riverview Park in Independence have been missing since Sunday evening.

Independence Police say 20-year old Alvin Troub, and his brother 8-year old Michael Runyon, were dropped off at Riverview Park in Independence to go fishing. When family members returned to the park two hours later at 4:00 PM ,the two could not be found.

A search was initiated after information about the missing men was reported to the Independence Police Department. The search quickly included Independence Police Officers, Polk County Fire District #1, and the Polk County Sheriff's Office - including their patrol division, river patrol, and search and rescue unit.