Clackamas River Rises to Dangerous Levels

Clackamas County Sheriff's Warns of River Hazards

Photo courtesy: Deputy Steve Strickland/Clackamas County Sheriff's Patrol

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - The chilly waters of the Clackamas River are flowing at higher than usual levels and officials there are concerned over hazards that could affect anyone who goes near it.

Clackamas County Deputy Strickland says he became concerned about the overnight increased elevation of this river and that prompted him to make an inquiry about the current water conditions.

In completing the research, Strickland discovered the river has raised an additional 2.5' overnight, and this Clackamas River is reported to be flowing at an impressive 13,600 cubic feet per second, with a water temperature of 44 degrees.

"It is important to recognize with the increased high velocity water levels that exist on the Clackamas River, large logs and debris from the river bank are being jettisoned – with great momentum -- through the waterway, adding an additional hazard to anyone in the river."

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is warning the public of the hazardous conditions that exist on all of the waterways in Clackamas County, especially during this period of time where we are experiencing an extensive snow runoff.