Search

After a few hours of lively discussion at the Water Trail Signage workshop this August one thing was clear - people signage on the Lower Columbia River Water Trail will enhance both the trail's identity, but more importantly the use experience as well. The workshop's 25 participants discussed the purposes and goals of signage while critiquing three signage concepts. After much debate, general consensus emerged that an adaptatoin of the Water Trail logo, with River Miles, a paddling icon, and other details was the way to go. Next steps are in process with the first signs scheduled to be

The in-development Lewis River-Vancouver Lake Water Trail being developed by the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation gets kudos from this Columbian Editorial for their "forward thinking." It notes that an offical water trail and a well-designed web site would "coodinate kayaking and canoieing activites" and promote paddling safety. Along the way it praises two existing trails - the Cascadia Marine Trail in Puget Sound, and our own Lower Columbia River Water Trail! Read the editorial here.

All manually powered boats 10 feet and longer operating Oregon waterways now need to have on-board an Oregon State invasive species permit. Funds from the $7 permits will pay for programs designed to protect Oregon's waterways from invasive species. Non-motorized boats from Washington may launch in Oregon within ONE RIVER MILE of the Columbia River (or Snake River) without a permit. Additional information, such as purchase information is available at the Oregon State Marine Board Web site.  

The at times difficult stretch of lower Columbia River from Brownsmead to Astoria that is replete with islands, big tides, and a navigation around Tongue Point is highlighted in the New York Times May 16 Sunday Travel Section. The Times notes that the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership has water trail maps on the Water Trail Web site and warns paddlers about the Columbia River Bar using its well know moniker, Graveyard of the Pacific. Other rivers profiled include the Connecticut River, the Milwaukee River, and the Rio Grande. Check out the NY Times Article.

VIA Magazine, AAA Traveler's Companion Magazine profiles the Lower Columbia River Water Trail with a cover story in the May Issue of the Oregon/Idaho and California/Nevada/Utah editions. The story describes Cahill's journey down the river with the Estuary Partnership's Deputy Director Chris Hathaway and highlights parks and rental outfits that make accessing the trail easy. Check Out the Article!

Over 350 supporters of the Estuary Partnership dined, bid on art and generously raised their paddles at our 13th Annual Dinner and Art Gala on November 3rd at the Portland Art Museum. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici honored us by welcoming guests and addressing the importance of the Columbia River and the Estuary Partnership to the vitality of our region.  Joan Dukes, former State Senator and member of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and Louise Solliday, recently retired Director of State Lands and formerly with Governors Kitzhaber and Kulongski’s teams

The Estuary Partnership, Hosford Middle School and Portland Public Schools recently completed swale construction at Hosford Middle School.

Paddlers using Oregon's waters, including the Lower Columbia River Water Trail need to carry up to date aquatic invasive species prevention permits. The 2013 permits are now available through the Oregon State Marine Board and the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Permits are requred for paddlecraft and non-motorzied vessels 10 ft and longer for residents and non-residents. Costs range from $5-$14 depending on place of purchase and period of time (1-2 years).

Visit the Oregon State Marine Board Aquatic Invasive Species Page for more information and purchasing options. 

Nutria are a common site along the lower Columbia River and its tributaries. Large, semi-aquatic rodents, they burrow into the sides of river banks and munch on river vegetation, creating erosion and impacting shoreline vegetation. Like many invasive species, Nutria have detrimental impacts to the local ecosystem and are the focus of management efforts to control their population. On March 28, PSU, USGS, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service will convene a Nutria Management Meeting in Vancouver to talk about nutria management tools and coordination. Click here to learn more. 

Want to compare how floodplain habitat in the lower Columbia River has changed since the late 1880's? Now you can! Check out the Estuary Partnership's new on-line habitat change analysis maps. They mark the first time a comparison of "pre-development" conditions to current habitat conditions have been calculated for the entire lower Columbia River. You can also find out how the maps were created, and how they are being used in the Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Classification and the Estuary Partnerships Restoration Prioritization Strategy.