Ecological Engineering, LLC was contracted by the Oregon Recreational Boaters United to conduct an examination of river bank erosion and bank failure within the Willamette River Newberg Pool. Recreational boating on the Willamette River is regulated by the Oregon Marine Board. The Newberg Pool reach of the river covered by Marine Board regulations extends from River Mile (RM) 30 to RM 50. The regulated reach is further divided into two distinct zones: the Towed Water Sport Zone and the Wake Surfing and Water Skiing Zone. The Oregon Legislature was considering legislation that would limit the weight of boats used for wake surfing based on the assumption that those activities were a direct cause of the Willamette River bank erosion and failure that was observed in the more developed reach of the river. Ecological Engineering conducted field work to examine river bank conditions and instances of bank erosion and failure, and compared bank conditions within and outside of the wake surfing zones. Mr. Gorman prepared a report documenting each significant instance of river bank erosion and failure. The report provided opinion on the probable cause of bank disturbance where appropriate and made recommendations on how best to avoid further erosion and failure. Mr. Gorman prepared and delivered testimony to the Oregon Legislature regarding his findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the proposed legislation. Based in part on the testimony of Mr. Gorman, the legislation failed to pass over two different legislative sessions.
Willamette River Bank Erosion and Failure Assessment
