WORKING PAPER NO. 34
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIH PROJECT
For Water Supply and Water Quality Manageaent
WILLAMETTE RIVER BASIN (OREGON)
WATER USE TRENDS AND ESTIMATE OP GROWTH
1960-2010
DATE: Novenber 5, 1962 DISTRIBUTION
Prepared by 3g)?g£ Project Staff
Reviewed by _________ Cooperating Agencie*.
Approved by ____________ General
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Region IX
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control
Room 570 Pittock Block
Portland 5, Oregon
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This working paper contains preliminary data and information
primarily intended for internal use by the Columbia River
Basin Project staff and cooperating agencies. The material
presented in this paper has not been fully evaluated and
should not be considered as final.
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WILLAMETTE RIVER BASIN (OREGON)
HATER USB TRENDS AND ESTIMATE OP GROWTH
1960-2010
Table of Contents
A. Introductory 1
B. Fisheries 1,
1. General 1
2. Present Situation 2
3. Potential Situation 3
4. Water Quality Need 9
C. Recreation 10
1. General 10
2. Present Situation 11
3. Potential Situation 19
D. Riparian Dwellings 21
1. General 21
2. Present Situation 22
3. Potential Situation 24
B. General Public 25
F. Power 27
G. Navigation 27
H. Irrigation and Other Agricultural Uses 27
I. Municipal and Industrial Water Supply 27
J. Conclusions 28
Prepared by: Economic Studies Group
Water Supply and Pollution Control
, Program, Pacific Northwest
November 1962
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WILLAMETTE RIVER BASIN (OREGON) C-l
WATER USE TRENDS AND ESTIMATE OP GROWTH
1960-2010
A. Introductory
The purpose of this section is to describe the uses for water in which
quality Is important. These provide a basis for establishing water quality
objectives. These water quality objectives, in turn, are used to compute
the stream flow requirements needed for water quality management purposes.
The following description of water uses is also the first step in making
an analysis of benefits to be derived from making these water uses possible.
Such benefit evaluation studies, however, will be carried out at a later
stage of study.
It should be noted that there are other beneficial »es for water than
those for which quality is important. These other uses are described else-
where in this report
Because the purpose of this section is only to establish the nature of
water uses in -die Willamette basin, the discussions of Individual uses are
limited to general descriptions of use to show that certain uses do occur
and their general magnitude. Although this includes readily available data
such as park locations and attendance, it is beyond the scope of this study
to quantify the extent of each use in terms of detailed user statistics.
B. Fisheries
1. General
The Willamette River"and its tributaries support a large amount of
game fishing and provide spawning areas for migratory species of fish which
constitute a valuable natural resource of the Pacific Northwest.
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Reduction of the natural habitat of resident species and of spawning
areas of anadromous groups has resulted from construction of dams on several
water-bodies and from the effects of various kinds of water pollution. In
contrast, commercial and sport fishing pressure has risen with population.
Unfortunately, very few statistics are available on the number of anglers
using each stream or the contribution of basin streams to commercial fish
harvested outside the Willamette basin.
Most of the emphasis in this discussion has been placed on the de-
scription of the salmonids, not only because they are the most important
sport and commercial fish, but also because their water quality requirements
(with reference to temperature and dissolved oxygen) are more critical than
other species. By using their requirements as a design criteria the require-
ments of other species will also be met.
The data and conclusions presented in the following parts of this
section are based on discussions with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and publications of state conservation agencies.
2. Present Situation
a. General
Adverse pressures on fish populations are heavy as a result of
fishing and the effects of civilization on environments. Trout populations
behind dams frequently give way to scrap fish, which are better adapted to
reservoir conditions, and displace trout through their consumption of fry
and food resources. Perhaps more serious is the situation of anadromous
species which use the upper areas as a spawning ground. Production is now
limited to the spring run; low summer water flow and low dissolved oxygen
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levels prevent a fall run. Flood control dams have closed off much of the
natural spawning ground; and embankments, erosion, irrigation canals, and
heavy municipal and industrial wastes on some reaches of the river have
either destroyed spawning areas or added to the hazards of migration.
Despite these hazards to the fishery, the Willamette River
basin has an important and widespread distribution of salmonlds and other
game fish. The distribution of the salmonids among the major water bodies
in the basin is shown in Table I.
The use of the fishery of the Willamette River basin cannot be
described precisely. Although comprehensive fishing statistics are not
available, there is evidence to indicate that the number of anglers is
growing. For Oregon, as a whole, the number of fishing license applications
rose at a six percent annual rate during the 1950's.
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TABLE I
Distribution of Salmonid Game Eish in
Major Water Bodies of the Willamette Basin i'
Trout Salmon
Dolly Cut- Steel-
Rainbow Brook Varden throat head ' Chinook Coho Kokaoea
Upper Basin
Willamette River
Main Stem x x x x x
Middle Fork x x x x x
Coast Fork x x x
McKenzie River x x x x
Long Tom River x x
Cottage Grove Reservoir x x
Dexter Reservoir x x
Dorena Reservoir x
Fern Ridge Reservoir x
Lookout Point Reservoir x x
Middle Basin
North Santiam River x x x x x x
South Santiam River x x x x x
Pudding River x x
Luckiamute River x x x
Rickreall Creek x x
Marys River x x .
Mill Creek x x
Yamhill River x x x x
Long Tom River x x
Willamette River x x x x x
Calapooya River x x x x x
Cascade Lakes x x x x x
•Detroit Reservoir x x • x
Lower Basin
Willamette River x x x x x
Clackamas River x • x x x x x
Molalla River x x x x x
Tualatin River x x x x x
High Mountain Lakes x x x x x
\J Sources:
Oregon State Game Commission, Fishery Division: Annual Report. 1960.
Fish Commission of Oregon: Environmental Survey Report Pertaining to Salmon and
Steelhead in Certain Rivers of Eastern Oregon and the Willamette River and its
Tributaries. June 1960.
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Another example of the growth in numbers of anglers can be seen
in the statistics for the Detroit Reservoir which is considered by the
Oregon State Game Commission to be a representative area. — The nature of
this growth is indicated in the table which follows:
TABLE II &
Angler Use of Detroit Reservoir
Year Anglers
1954 49,062
1955 61,738
1956 64,787
1957 91,660
1958 97,950
1959 108,753
1960 134,331
As described in the following sections both the upper and middle
basin areas contain important spawning areas for anadromous salmonids, as
well as resident populations of salmonids in both the tributaries and main
stem of the Willamette. The lower basin area generally lacks a resident
salmonid population in the main stem, but has spawning areas on the tribu-
taries in addition to providing passage to upstream areas.
b. Upper Willamette
There is no commercial fishing in the upper Willamette basin,
but the game fishing resources of the area are considered excellent. The
McKenzie River is one of the nation's famous fishing streams; the mountain
lakes and streams of the Willamette National Forest and the forks and major
tributaries of the Willamette River are heavily fished.
JL^ ' Oregon State Game Commission: Statement Concerning the Fish and Wild-
life Resources of the Middle Willamette Basin (delivered to the Oregon
State Water Resources Board), November 1961.
21 Oregon State Game Commission, Fishery Division: Annual Report, 1960.
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Although an occasional Chinook is taken behind Lookout Point
or Dorena Dam, the McKenzie River is the only major spawning area remaining
in the upper Willamette basin and presently accounts for about half of the
total Willamette River salmon production.
The State of Oregon operates two salmon hatcheries in the upper
basin area, - one at Leaburg on the McKenzie and one at Oakridge on the
Middle Fork; an egg-collecting station at Dexter, and trout-breeding farms
on the McKenzie and at Oakridge.
c. Middle Willamette
Although the take of fish in the middle Willamette basin is
exclusively for sports purposes, the water bodies of the basin have
relevance to commercial fisheries in that they serve as passageways and
spawning grounds for migratory salmon, upon whose existence an important
regional industry depends. Since the major spawning grounds are in the
upper basin, passage through the middle basin is necessary to maintenance
of this resource.
The waters of the middle basin support extensive recreational
fishing, and natural stocks must be supplemented in many cases by hatchery-
reared fish. Nearly all of the game fish species found in the State of
Oregon are represented in the fish population of the basin. Spring run
chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout annually migrate into the
Willamette and many of its middle basin tributaries. Rainbow, dolly vardea,
cutthroat, and brook trout frequent the basin. Whitefish occur in some
tributaries. Warm-water game fish are present in all of the lower streams
and reservoirs, and include largemouthj.smalimouth, and warmouth base,
and black creppie^ bullhead catfish, and bluegliio
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d. Lover Willamette
The waters of the lower Willamette basin support a considerable
game fishery, serve as the entrance to spawning grounds in the upper reaches
of the river system, and maintain a modest and irregular amount of commercial
fishing.
A variety of species are found in the region. In addition to
the salmonids described in Table I, warm-water game fish, including sturgeon,
crappie, bass, sunfish, and catfish, are found in various rivers, backwaters,
and lakes.
Because it forms the gate for migratory fish passing from or
into the Columbia River, the lower Willamette is of critical importance to
maintenance of Willamette River system salmon and steelhead runs.
Because of the dense population of the lower basin, there is a
large use of the area's streams for sport fishing. This is indicated in
the long-term statistics maintained for the lower basin by the Oregon State
Game Commission, as illustrated in Table III.
TABLE III
Willamette River Spring Chinook Sport Fishery
Year Total Run Angling Denatty
(no. of fish) (man days)
1950 24,800 73,400
1951 49,600 92,600
1952 67,500 91,100
1953 96,800 102,805
1954 44,400 104,061
1955 32,500 77,656
1956 77,600 84,100
1957 52,800 95,458
1958 62,800 137,875
1959 .53,400 134,089
1960 24,200 92,278
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It should be noted that the secular decline in the salmon run
has persisted despite restrictions on commercial fishing inaugurated in
the early '50's, some shortening of the sport fishing season and catch
limit, and intense seeding efforts of State and Federal conservation
agencies.
3. Potential Situation
Future development of the basin's fisheries would appear to depend
to a great extent on public policy. Depletion of game fish populations
through heavy fishing and alteration of environment is being combatted
by various agencies.
Research into environmental conditions may result in appearance of
other species (e.g., an experimental planting of sockeye salmon in the
Middle Fork of the Willamette appears, provisionally, to have been success-
ful). Species presently living in the basin's waters are presumed to per-
sist through the study period. Augmentation of anadromous populations in
the upper basin might well result from downstream measures to improve
migratory conditions, including maintenance of water quality standards
favorable to salmon.
The Fish Commission of Oregon has outlined a series of recommenda-
tions intended to promote numbers of salmon and steelhead,-^' in the belief
that the middle basin appears able to provide additional spawning areas
along the Yamhill, Luckiamute and Santiam river systems, and perhaps even
support a fall run of salmon in certain streams.
I/ Fish Commission of Oregon: Environmental Survey Report Pertaining to
Salmon and Steelhead in Certain Rivers of Eastern Oregon and the
Willamette River and its Tributaries. June 1960.
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The lower basin also offers some opportunity to increase fish
populations.
It is considered that fall runs of salmon may be established in
the Clackamas and Tualatin rivers, in the event that storage projects
augment present depleted summer flows. Improved water quality at
Willamette Falls, where fish passage is delayed, would aid escapement of
migrating salmon and steelhead, and improve spawning levels in upper areas
of the basin.
4. Water Quality Need
The desirability of maintaining fisheries is well recognized, with
considerable sums expended by various government agencies to maintain
hatcheries, passageways, seeding efforts, and research. Provision of
water quality sufficient to permit year-round passage of migratory fish
in the lower Willamette River and to support salmonids and other species
in all other streams and major water bodies of the basin is needed in order
to serve this use of water in the Willamette basin.
For the purposes of this report, and based on discussion with the
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and information obtained from state con-
servation agencies, the water quality required in the main stem of the
Willamette in the lower basin should be adequate to permit year-round
passage of migratory fish, and that of all other major streams and water
bodies of the Willamette basin should be adequate to support both resident
and anadromous salmonid populations.
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C. Recreation
1. General
The recreational uses of water to be considered in this section in-
clude boating, swimming and bathing, skin diving, water skiing, recreational
shore uses, and other similar uses of water.
As described in the following sections for Individual study areas,
all of the streams and major water-bodies in the Willamette basin support
recreational uses despite, in some cases, very low water quality. The
demand for these uses is expected to grow.
Although user statistics which are available for public or govern-
ment operated recreational areas are included in the discussion of indi-
' vLdual sections of the basin, there are many other areas of private or
informal nature which also contribute to the recreational use of water in
the basin. Attendance figures at public parks provide a sketchy insight
into recreational use of waters. The fact that the major rivers are all
accessible at a number of points where no record of use is made gives such
use figures value only in indicating trends rather than establishing use
levels. The existence of considerable areas of riparian settlement at
places along the Willamette and its tributaries and the existence of diving
boards, floats,, and boats in conjunction with many of these residences ie
further evidence of the desire for recreational use of water.
A further complicating factor encountered in evaluating recreational
use of water is suggested in the sections dealing with recreation in the
individual study areas. There is apparently a considerable latent demand
for recreation opportunities that Is stimulated by the existence of
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facilities. It would appear that the level of recreational demand is
not only somewhat higher than available resources can adequately support9
but that additions or improvements to recreational facilities tend to
raise the level of requirements by calling forth additional users and
increasing the intensity of use by current users.
Although there appears to be a demand for the recreational use of
water on all of the area's streams, it is not considered likely that it
will be possible to provide enough stream flow to provide adequate water .
quality for all recreational uses for all stretches of all streams. For
instance, immediately below major points of waste discharge (even though
adequately treated) or areas of uncontrolled drainage there may be limited
areas where quality will be impaired sufficiently to restrict some
recreational uses of the stream, even though very large stream flows are
made available. Because of the problems, and because it is not practical
at this time to describe the use and demand for each type of recreation
for each stretch of stream, it is considered to be reasonable to examine
the problem from the reverse viewpoint, i.e. what level of recreation will
be permitted if the flow requirements for other uses are met? The amount
and types of recreation which such flow requirements will permit will then
need to be evaluated to see if the area's apparent needs will be met.
2. Present Situation
a. General
Although use statistics are sketchy amd provisional, they iadi°
cate that the recreational facilities of the Willamette basin ase receiving
increasingly intensive use. Population growth and am apparent
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per capita participation in outdoor recreation is creating a strain on many
facilities. For example, on the peak boating day on Fern Ridge Reservoir
in 1958, as reported by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, there were 100
craft on the water. Information from resort and county park personnel,
however, indicates that during July and early August 1962, 300-350 craft
were on the reservoir every weekend day, and an additional launching
facility at Zurawalt County Park 'was required to handle the growing number
of boaters. Similarly, the number of users of the picnic ground and boat
launching facilities of North Shore Park on the Dexter Reservoir climbed
from a reported 45,000 in 1958 to a reported 135,000 in 1960.
In addition to increasing demands from the area's residents, '
visitors also were significant users of the water recreation opportunities
of the basin. Tourism became Oregon's second source of income in 1961,
supplanting agriculture in that position, according to the State Department
of Industrial Development; and much of the fixed investment in the state
during the late '50's and early '60's has been directed to the tourist
industry. There is an obvious willingness for boaters, campers, and even
picnickers to travel considerable distances, when necessary, in pursuit of
recreation.£ e.g., An enumeration of users of recreational facilities main-
tained by Pacific Power & Light Company on the Lewis River in southwest
• Washington indicates that 55 percent of the users over a period of years
(1959-1962) came from Oregon. At present rates of use, over 50,000 visitors
annually travel a minimum of fifty miles each way to the Lewis River area
to enjoy picnicking and boating^/ Thus increasing use of basin recreation
sites by tourists would seem likely in the future. In addition, the
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Improvement of the basin's recreational opportunities uouid, in sissy
save the area's residents considerable time and travel expense,,
b. Upper Willamette
Water-based recreation activities are abundant in Che upper
Willamette basin. Private firms, federal agencies,,the State of Oregon,
Lane County, and the municipalities of Eugene, Cottage Grove, and Oakridge
all maintain recreation facilities of some type. Water°side picnicking and
camping facilities are abundant. Many swimming opportunities are present
in the clean waters above Eugene. Six large reservoirs provide boating
opportunities, and the rapids of the McKenzie are used for "Whitewater"
boating. For the most part, recreational facilities are readily accessible
from major highways, though the distance from population centers makes a
trip to some forests stream, and reservoir locations an extended day's
outing; while the scarcity of camping facilities - other tbam fchose isa
the National Forest - discourages over-night excursions,, The remote lakes
of the Willamette national Forest are little used for boating becaus© of
their inaccessibility. Conversely, there is some swimming in the
Willamette near Eugenes although the river is officially closed £© swimmerst
The following table summarises by stseam ehe major m£e2""ba®ed
recreation facilities in this area.
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TABLE IV
Attendance at Water-based Recreation Sites in the Upper Basin
1950 5/ 1958 ±f
Willamette, Coast Fork
Cottage Grove Reservoir 49,300 56,000 117,300 .
Dorena Reservoir 19,800 32,000 39,o6o .
Baker Bay Co. Park (Dorena Res.) 80,000 n.a. -
Long Tom River
Zumwalt Park )
Perkins Peninsula ) 134,700 213,000 437,900 £/
Richardson Point )
McKenzie River
Armitage State Park 34,437 110,720 129,465 .£/
Hendricks Bridge State Park 2,190 34,362 45,030 £'
Ben and Kay Dorris State Park 705 25,764 22,431 •£/
Howard J. Morton State Park 6,339 6,147 SJ
Jennie B. Harris State Park 3,765 4,584 ^
Weyerhaeuser Park 6,000 n.a. —'
Leaburg Park 45,000 n.a. £/
Blue River Park _ 4,000 n.a. &
Willamette, Middle Fork
Lookout Point Reservoir 136,000 91,300 &
Dexter Viewpoint 25,000 n.a. £/
Dexter North Shore 45,000 . 135,000 &
Oakridge Municipal Park n.a. -' n.a. .§/
&l Columbia Basin Inter-Agency Committee: Recreation Survey of the
Pi^c.lfic Northwest: Region, March 1961.
b/ Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army: Public Recreation
Use. Civil Works Projects. May 1962.
cl Oregon State Highway Commission -1960 figures.
d/v Lane County Bureau of Parks and Recreation - 1960 figures.
e/' Not available.
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c. Middle Willamette
Recreational use of water - other than fishing - is less intensive
in the middle Willamette basin than in either the upper or lower basin. In
large measure, it would appear that the relatively low use of water for
recreation in the area may be traced to scarcity of opportunities.
The number of water-side recreation areas in the middle Willamette
basin is not high, and their quality is generally under that of neighboring
areas. This is due to the existing character and quality of streams,
which are mainly shallow, slow-flowing, very low in summer months, often
turbid, and frequently polluted. At some recreational areas such as
Newberg Boat Landing, Champoeg State Park, and Lafayette Locks County Park,
the water is posted against swimming. It might be said that under present
conditions only the Santiam and its forks, Detroit Reservoir, and some
Cascade lakes are suitable for swimming; while Detroit Reservoir and the
Willamette River are the only bodies large enough to permit boating.
Table V summarizes main water-side recreation areas in the middle
Willamette basin.
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182,432
42,345
6,792
193,383
199,578
30,462
109,769
2,568
75,835
TABLE V
Attendance at Water-based Recreation Sites in the Middle Basin
a/ b/
Silver Creek
Silver Falls State Park
North Falls State Park
Willamette River
Champoeg State Park
Sodaville Springs State Park
Santiam River
Cascadia State Park
North Santiam River
Detroit Reservoir
Lakeshore State Park
Mongold State Park
North Santiam State Park
Niagara County Park
Buell County Park
Yamhill River
Dayton Landing County Park
Lafayette Locka County Park
Marys River
Avery Municipal Park
208,520
63,412
99,234
2,145
83,967
n.a. •£'
500
n.a.
n.a.
81,891
66,534
32,691
n.a.
5,050
n.a.
n.a.
138,066
99,018
31,092
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
It is notable that most of the growth was centered on the Detroit
Reservoir, with its extensive swimming and boating opportunities. Attend-
ance at other areas appeared to drop off as the relative advantages of the
Detroit Reservoir parks were realized. It may be worth particular note
that attendance at Champoeg State Park dropped about 10.5 thousand from
1958 to 1960. Located at a slow-moving pool on the Willamette, a short
area downstream from the places where the municipal wastes of Newberg and
&l Columbia Basin Inter-Agency Committee: Recreation Survey of the
Pacific Northest Region. March 1961
b/ Oregon State Highway Commission
/ Not available
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the effluent of a pulp plant are released, the park provides an example
of less than optimum use of potential recreational opportunity due to lot?
water quality.
d. Lower Willamette
The population of the lower Willamette basin uses the recreational
water resources of the area extensively despite the low water quality of
the area's principal water body. The population of the area also exerts
considerable pressure on surrounding areas in their attempt to satisfy the
recreational demand. The Clackamas River is a clean, attractive, swift-
flowing stream that provides swimming and fishing. The Willamette receives
heavy use by boaters, and the Willamette above Oregon City is much used by
swimmers. The sluggish, turbid Tualatin is used by swimmers at public
resorts and by residents. The Molalla River is utilized by swimmers, and
picnicking is common along its banks. Lake Oswego was developed as an
area for recreational living; and though the public recreation area has
been usurped by housing, residents make heavy use of the waters for boatingt
swimming and water skiing. There are two public resorts on the Tualatin,
three on the Clackamas, at least fourteen moorages and marinas om tine
Willamette, and two on Lake Oswego. Attendance at parks in the asaa is
shown in Tabl© VI.
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Attendance a£ Uater°foaseci laere'atioffl Sites in ths Lower Basia
l 1960
Promontory Park
Roslyn Lake
Clackamas
Ho£
Bins® Lake
Biws Lake County Park
of the
Sandy River
Dabney Stafce Park 81,SIS 109,371 ^,
Lewis & Clark State
Trail Couimty
Deep Creek
Deep Creek County Park m.a0
Eagle Creek
Eagle Fera County Park ' suSo
Metzler Couaty Park n0a=
_b/ Oregoa Sfcate Wghuay
el Poreiaad Gtsaerai Electric Compaay
~
Feyrer Couinfcy Park n,&o ffl.a»
Wagon Wheel Coumty Park a0a<, n.a0
Willamette River
Clackamstt® MuamicipQl Park , iQoa. B0a.
River Mill Park 4,270 £'
Lake Harriet
Lake Harriet Park
15P87S .£'
Timothy Lake
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3. Potential Situation
In addition to a growing per capita use of the area's water based
recreational facilities by the present residents, several other factors
will also be significant in determining the potential demand for these
facilities. Industrial development groups are stressing Oregon's ability
to offer intangible social benefits, recreation among them, as an induce-
ment to recruiting new industries and high quality industrial personnel.
There are indications that this appeal is effective and it presents the
possibility of rising demand for recreational opportunities from an immigrant
work force attracted partly by recreational considerations. Also posing the
possibility of growing demand pressures is the fact that the basin's rela-
tively abundant recreational resources are likely to attract increasing
numbers of visitors from other areas where natural recreation facilities
are less abundant.
In the upper basin area the fishing possibilities of the McKenzie
River and the moderately used reservoirs on the North Fork of the Willamette
offer room for expanded use. The principal area of unsatisfied demand
would appear to be for the use of the Willamette River near Eugene for
swimming. Expansion of the Eugene-Lane County park system along the banks
of the river will unquestionably give rise to added pressures from potential
swimmers, particularly when the saturated level of use of Fern Ridge
Reservoir, the only considerable body of swimming water close to the
metropolitan area, is taken into account.
The growing population envisaged for the middle Willamette basin
will unquestionably make considerable demands on the limited recreational
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water resources of the area. In view of the rising nuober of potential
users and the trend of visits per person, the presently available fishing,
boating, and swimming facilities of the middle basin should become saturated
in the very near future, (Some evidence of this is indicated at Detroit
Reservoir where it was necessary to zone its waters in 1960 to accommodate
both anglers and water-skiers.) Power-boating and swimming opportunities
on such narrow, sluggish streams as the Luckiamute, Marys River, Rickreall
Creek, and the Yamhill River will always be limited.
The main potential body of recreationally useful water which can
be made available to the population of the middle Willamette basin is the
Willamette River. Making the Willamette available for swimming over its
middle areas would unquestionably absorb considerable recreational demand
sad stave off for some time the need for the population of the middle basin
to resort to other areas in search of suitable recreational water bodies.
Greater recreational use of the Willamette below Willamette Falls
is restricted for matay types of recreation, due to the industrialised
character of the river bank in many areas. Above Wiliasaette Falls, measures
to reduce turbidity might make increased recreational us© posoible aad
desirable, in spite of the impediment offered by huge lengths of log rafts
of fctoia portion of the river.
Frasther development of the recreational possibilities ©f the
likely, The Tualatin Rives's recreational possibilities as©
limited9 dw© 60 the fctsrbidity and slow flow of the river. Added upstream
storage could produce in the Tualatin a wholly new recreation area.
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The desire for recreational use of water is intense in the lower
basin, where an urbanized population is keenly aware of the attractions
of water sports. Because other uses would appear to restrict recreational
development in some portions of the lower Willamette River, water manage-
ment programs for other water bodies should reflect the need for developing
additional recreational possibilities. Rising population levels in con*
junction with the trend to make more extensive use of recreational water
indicate that maintenance of water quality in the interest of recreation will,
in the future, become an increasingly pressing problem in the lower
Willamette basin.
D. Riparian Dwellings
1. General
The degree of riparian settlement correlates rather directly with
two factors, the level of recreation opportunities available on a water
body, and the proximity to a population center„ It 10 expected that as
populations increase along the Willamette, the prevalence of waterside
dwellings will grow at a somewhat faster rate than the historical rate.
Although there are no direct water quality requirements for s'iparlsa
dwellings, their desirability and land value depend in part on the recreation
possibilities of water and in part on the aesthetic qualities of the w©ter°
body and its banks. The existence of riparian dwellings oriented towards
a stream is a useful indicator that a demand for pccreatioual end aestfeetie
enjoyment of the stream exists. Erosion, turbidity, unsightly or odoriferous
conditions, or water quality too low to support recreation may be presumed
to have an adverse effect o» riparian eattieaent and the valtse of siperiaa
residential land.
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a. Upper Willamette
The establishment of dwellings by lake© or streams of the
Willamette basin foas only occurred in a feu areas* Farm homes are for
most part oriented to roads rather than water5 and the Willamette nosr
Etagens<=Sprimgfield is largely vacant or left to industrial sites 0
Escep£ioBS asre obseirvables howeveir; axad there ©ppoasrs £o b@ a
definite teraJency fos areas with water^based scenic or irecreatiomal
attractions to become built=mp. With the epcceptioa of the McKemsie River
areaj where rscreatioxiial cornsideratioias have resulted in resort type of
development„ water=®ide buildiag has t^ken place ^©re aearaess to urbsa
areas and ease of access are marked.
Houses are spaced along the McKensie River from Springfield to
McKensie Bridge, & distance of about fifty miles „ The seven settled places
along the'river are all oriented to the stream, A dosen fishing resorts
axtd scores of summer home® line the river from Leaburg to Blw® River„ All
in all 5 perhap® two hundred dwelling units stand along the McKensio, At
Lowell fifteen homes, roughly a quarter of the dwelling unit® in the tomj,
have been buailt on the bank of Dester Reservoir„ Farm houses abov© Cottag©
Grov© Reservoir are largely located asar ©ad facing £hs re©Qrvoi5?5
the sis miloB of sfeE-eamsida from Dos©as Baa feo C©S£ags Gsovo to© la
dwelling© o Fall Cff©©ks froa J«ase 'mstQidG ipslragfiald fo5? ©b®«i(S
fas© te
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023
Fern Ridge Reservoir, Eugene's main recreation area, provides
the best example of settlement near water. The west bank of the reservoir
has a number of summer homes and year-round dwellings, and a cluster of
recently built houses stands near the east bank.
b. Middle Willamette
The use of water-side sites for residential dwellings is
relatively scarce through most of the countryside of the middle basin,
and are limited to places near towns or cities. Though farm boundaries
often Include streams, the predominant pattern has the farm home located
near a road or highway, rather than in view of the stream. In those cases
where a town is located on a river - St. Paul, Dayton, Independence,
Feoria, and Harrisburg - the backs of buildings are in most cases turned to
the river, their fronts to the road. In the cities of Salem and Albany,
the riverside is largely undeveloped or given over to industrial uses.
There are exceptions, however, provided by some urban areas
where residential emplacements exist along river banks and display a
definite desire to make use of the scenic and recreational resources of the
water body. Outside of Corvallis several dozen dwellings may be observed
along the banks of the Willamette River and Marys River. In several
instances, private moorages are situated near Willamette River homes. Both
Sweet Home and Lebanon on the South Santiam River have fairly new resi-
dential suburbs reaching up from the river. Outside of Newberg, perhaps
a dozen houses have been built along the Willamette River. Here, too,
several houses are connected to pleasure-boat docks.
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024
c. Lower Willamette
Water-side dwelling places are generally regarded as desirable
in the highly urbanized lower Willamette basin. Dwelling structures occupy
much of the non-Industrial land on the banks of the Willamette from the
Ross Island Bridge to some distance past Oregon City, a distance of about
fifteen miles. Lake Oswego, an impoundment adjacent to the mouth of the
Tualatin River, has become the center of an incorporated suburb with a
1960 population of 8,906. The community's population growth, from 3,316
in 1950 and 1,726 in 1940, is dramatic testimony to the desire for water-
side dwelling. The lower reaches of the Clackamas River have a considerable
number of homes. Over two hundred houses obviously oriented to the stream- -
many with connected floats and diving boards - exist along the Tualatin.
Pressure of desire for water-side land is so intense in the area about
Portland that prevailing custom calls for prices for riparian homesites
to be quoted in terms of running feet of water-front land, rather than
over-all area.
3. Potential Situation
The population of the upper basin has been projected to more than
double by 2010, with the Eugene-Springfield area expected to remain the
principal focus of settlement. The social forces that have contributed to
the desirability of water-side locations show no sign of abatement. It
would appear likely, then, that attractive water-side areas adjacent to
the Eugene-Springfield urban core, and readily accessible by automobile,
will become increasingly built-up. The banks of Fern Ridge Reservoir, the
main stem of the Willamette both above and below the Eugene area, and the
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C-25
Coast Fork of the Willamette near Cottage Grove appear to be likely sites
for residential housing. The McKenzie and North Fork of the Willamette
offer a number of suitable areas for construction of summer cottages.
The experience of the upper and lower areas of the Willamette
basin suggests some future growth for strearnside settlement in the middle
basin. Although the present incidence of riparian dwelling is low, it
appears highly likely that this may be attributed in part to a high
proportion of rural population and also to the level of recreational
opportunities present on those streams. The development of urban pressures
as a result of population expansion in Salem, Corvallis, Albany, Newberg,
Lebanon, and Sweet Home will result in the appearance of concentrations of
riverside homes. In addition, if the Willamette River were to become
available for more intensive recreational use at some future date, then the
emplacement of homes along its banks would occur at an accelerated pace.
Although the greater portion ofwater-side land in the lower basin
is already occupied, further settlement along the Clackamas and Tualatin
Rivers would seem likely..
E. General Public
The uses of water which are in this category are Intangible in nature
and consist of the uses by, or influence on, the public at large rather than
on those specific uses described in previous sections. In this category
are included the effect of the water bodies on the surrounding environment
including scenic-areas, residential areas, and public thoroughfares. The
manifestation of this influence would be in terms of the effect on morale,
community pride, worker productivity, and physical and mental health of
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C-26
residents and general satisfaction and impression received by tourists
and other travelers. In the Willamette Basin, these consideratins are
particularly important because the Willamette River runs through every
major community and is thus adjacent to the majority of the basin's popu-
lation. At Portland, for example, it splits a metropolitan area contain-
ing 728,000 people. In addition, as described in the section on
recreation, the tourist industry is a major economic force in Oregon and
its continued existence is based on providing a pleasing aesthetic
impression.
It should be noted that the effect or influence of water quality in
this category is not always dependent upon contact or even frequent obser-
vation of the quality. The knowledge that gross stream pollution exists,
for instance, can be distasteful to the general public in an area even
though the polluted water cannot be readily observed.
For the purposes of this analysis, the water quality to be sought
for this category of use should be as high as is reasonably possible in
all of the basin's streams and major water bodies. Of particular
importance will be to provide a quality which is not injurious to the
health of the various users and which is visually attractive. It is
considered reasonable to assume that if the previously described water
quality objectives for recreational and fishery use of the basin's streams
are met, the resulting quality will also be adequate for the category of
general public considerations.
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C-27
P. Power
In this category of water use are included both hydroelectric appli-
cations and thermal applications. The importance of quality to the
former is due to the possibility of corrosion damage to structures and
equipment. This damage is considered to be too minor in the study area
to be influential in setting water quality goals. The Importance of
quality in thermal applications is discussed elsewhere in this report in
toe section on industrial water supplies.
G. Navigation
Navigational uses of water are quite tolerant in their quality re-
quirements, with avoidance of corrosion being the principal concern.
This damage is considered to be too minor in the study area to be
influential in setting water quality goals.
H. Irrigation and Other Agricultural Uses
Water quality is of considerable importance to irrigated agriculture
and for such other uses as stock watering. Because of their similarity
to other water supply problems, however, irrigation withdrawals and
quality requirements have been examined elsewhere in this report.
I. Municipal and Industrial Water Supply
The water quality requirements for municipal and industrial water
supplies are an important consideration in determining water quality
objectives and computing stream flow requirements. The quantity and
quality requirements of this water use, however, are examined in the
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C~28
sections of this report concerned with engineering data and computations.
J. Conclusions
The level of water quality to be maintained in the Willamette basin
should be adequate to provide for present and potential beneficial uses.
These uses, aa described in the foregoing sections, are enumerated as
follows:
1. Fisheries
2. Recreation
3. Riparian Dwelling
4. General Public
5. Power
6. Navigation
7. Irrigation and Other Agricultural Uses
8. Municipal and Industrial Water Supply
Based on the uses of water descxibed in the foregoing sections of this
report, the critical use is anticipated to be that of fisheries. It
should be noted that this use of water occurs in all streams and wa;er
bodies of the basin and throughout the year. The water quality needed to
serve this use must be adequate for the salmonid species of fish. It is
expected that the temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements for this
use will become the basis (at this level of study) for establishing stream
flow requirements. After such requirements have been determined it will
be necessary to examine the result of such stream flows on the other
parameters of water quality to see if the remaining water usee can be
served. In particular, it will be necessary to srcamine the amount and
types of recreation which the water quality will permit co sea if th«
apparent needs will be met.
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