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September 6, 2023
Contact: Afiq Hisham, 971-273-3374, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
Recreational use advisory partially lifted for Willamette River
PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has updated the recreational use health advisory issued for the Willamette River in Multnomah County to now cover only Ross Island Lagoon and Willamette Cove.
OHA issued the advisory Aug. 15.
Water monitoring confirms that the level of cyanotoxins in the Willamette River channel are below recreational guideline values for people. However, advisories remain in effect for Ross Island Lagoon and Willamette Cove.
OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms, as blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when conditions are favorable. Be aware that only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria Harmful Algae Bloom website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.
When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. Upon seeing these signs, avoid activities that result in swallowing water or inhaling droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.
Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.
For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482.
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