Salem-News.com Willamette River articles Page 2

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.

Human Remains Found Near Five Island on Willamette River

"At this time we have no missing persons from Yamhill County who fit the description that we have been given." - Yamhill Sheriff Jack Crabtree

(MCMINNVILLE, Ore.) - Two local duck hunters and their dog located a human leg early this morning near the "Five Island" area on the Willamette River, according to Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree. He says the location where the leg was found is about 10 miles upriver or south, of Rogers Landing in the City of Newberg, and about 10 miles downriver or north, from the Wheatland Ferry area north of Salem.

“The remains were examined by the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office” Crabtree said. “The leg was determined to be that of a female, of advanced age, 5'4" to 5'7" in height; and included the right pelvic bone, femoral bone, knee area, tibia and fibula bones.”

Crabtree says no clothing was recovered with the remains. DNA sampling has been done and will be forwarded to the University of North Texas for analysis.

10 People Safe After Boat Explodes on Willamette River (UPDATED)

5 patients, suffering from minor burns, were sent to area hospitals, treated and released.

(OREGON CITY, Ore. ) - Just after midnight Saturday, a 26' cabin cruiser, with 10 passengers aboard, stalled in the middle of the upper Willamette River and exploded approximately one-half mile from the Oregon City falls.

Reportedly, the captain, Ryan Smith, and his passengers, were attempting to restart the engine of this boat while it sat stalled in the middle of the river above the Oregon City falls.

Suspect Tries to Flee Salem Police Using Willamette River Slough

The suspect spent over 40 minutes in the water swimming from officers that were on shore.

(SALEM) - A Salem police officer escaped serious injuries Wednesday, after a man with a felony warrant backed over his motorcycle trying to escape capture.

Salem police spokesman Lt. Dan Deitz says 25-year-old Sean Miller of Salem, fled from the initial traffic stop in the 800 block of Saginaw St. S.