Salem-News.com Willamette River articles

Teen Drowns While Swimming in Willamette River

Fire and rescue crews remind everyone swimming or playing in any body of water in Oregon to wear a life jacket, whether or not you are a good swimmer.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - Rescue crews are still searching for the body of a teenager who drowned Friday afternoon while swimming in the Willamette River near the Sellwood Bridge has been recovered.

Portland Fire and Rescue says 18-year-old Mario Antonio Martinez Villalta was swimming with another person from the East Bank of the Willamette River near a construction barge and was having trouble making it back to shore.

Officials Warn of Willamette River Fish Die Offs; Avoid Water Contact

Dead fish located on or near the river, or fish caught from the river near the listed areas should not be consumed.

(EUGENE, Ore. ) - The Department of Environmental Quality has informed the Lane County Sheriff's Office that an
abnormal amount of dead fish have been located on the Willamette River.

The cause of the fish deaths is unknown at this time and is being investigated by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Environmental Quality.

Three Men Plucked from Two Willamette Valley Rivers

The Oregon State Marine Board and other boating safety advocates recommend that all boaters and water users not only have a life jacket, but “Wear It!” at all times.

(JEFFERSON, Ore. ) - It was a busy evening for Jefferson firefighters and other rescue crews, after two separate water rescue's took place in the Willamette Valley within an hour of each other.

Jefferson firefighters were first called to the North Santiam River near Scio on the report of two males in serious trouble on inner tubes.

Police Need Help to ID Body Found in Willamette River

The body could have been in the water anywhere from 6 months to two years.

(McMINNVILLE, Ore. ) - On April 19th, the body of an unidentified male was found along the banks of the Willamette River in Yamhill County.

Due to the state of decomposition, there were no visible identifying marks on the body. The victim also had a "bandage" around his lower right leg indicating a possible injury or a chronic condition like tendonitis.

Poll Finds Salem Voters Support Third Bridge

While some portion of the project likely will be paid for using federal and state funds, the current funding climate indicates that local funding must be a significant portion of the total funding.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with polling firm Action Solutions, have found that 65 percent of Salem voters approve of an additional vehicle bridge across the Willamette River in Salem.

The scientific poll was conducted on March 11 of this year and included participation from a sample size of 474 registered voters throughout Salem.

Eugene Man Tries to Escape Police by Jumping Into Willamette River

After a brief period in the water, the suspect said he was drowning and returned back to shore

(EUGENE, Ore. ) - A Eugene man wanted on a felony warrant was arrested by Oregon State Police after he tried escaping by running and then jumping into the Willamette River near Valley River Center.

His escape attempt came to an end when he realized he was going to drown if he stayed in the water, so he came back to shore where the trooper was waiting.

Man Dies in Jet Ski Accident on Willamette River

News release from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

(SALEM) - On Sunday, August 12 at approx 7:43pm, the Polk County Marine Patrol unit was notified of a boating accident Â3/4 mile up river from Wallace Marine Park involving a person being towed on an inner-tube behind a jet-ski.

The operator of the Jet-Ski (Salinas, Alejandro) was pulling his brother (Salinas, Enrique) behind a Honda Jet-Ski when they made a wide turn to head back towards Wallace Marine Park.

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.