Oregon Rivers Have Claimed the Lives of 17 People So Far This Year

The death of 17 people in Oregon rivers so far this year, including the drowning of high-profile Portland chef Naomi Pomeroy in the Willamette River near Corvallis, has spurred action by state agencies and riverkeepers.

State Agencies and Riverkeepers Will Ramp Up Safety Precautions

The Oregon Marine Board estimates that 85% to 90% of the victims were not wearing life jackets and has given a grant to Willamette Riverkeepers to organize basic paddling safety courses starting next spring.

The Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation will also help improve safety measures on Oregon rivers by funding the establishment of four and five life jacket stations along the Tualatin River.

Life Jacket Stations Along the Tualatin River

Tualatin River guide Mark Fitzsimmons says many river users either do not wear life jackets or wear them incorrectly and often enter the water without the legally required whistles attached to life jackets. The river claimed the life of a 42-year-old man in July.

With only one station currently in operation, Tualatin Riverkeepers want to establish life jacket stations at each access point along the river. Fitzsimmons says swimmers and paddlers will be able to take a like jacket from a rack and return it after use.

Willamette River is Hazardous in Places

The executive director of the Willamette Riverkeepers, Bob Sallinger, says people are fooled into believing that the Willamette is a lazy and slow-moving river, but warned that it has many hazards and strong currents in places. The Willamette River is 187 miles long.

One of the biggest hazards on the Willamette River is strainers, large objects like tree branches that can trap and pull people under the water.

Many Near-Drownings and other Incidents Are Never Included

Sallinger says fatalities tell only a part of the story of river safety. He says many near-drownings and other incidents are never tallied, but all add to a picture of dangerous conditions in Oregon’s rivers.

The public must be educated about river safety and taught to navigate rough waters and to wear the right gear. The Marine Board’s grant to finance a basic paddling course is part of the Willamette Riverkeepers’ safety project.