At Tualatin Riverkeepers, we believe everyone should be able to get out and enjoy the Tualatin River, especially during the summer. We've rounded up some tips and tricks to staying safe while you play in and around the Tualatin:
Don't drink directly from the Tualatin River or its tributaries. Try not to let your pet drink directly from the river either.
Try not to swim in the tributaries, and always rinse off after swimming in the mainstem. After significant rain events, we recommend waiting at least 48 hours to swim in the mainstem. As with all river recreation, do not swim with open cuts or wounds.
We recommend always wearing a life jacket while on the river. Find out more about boating rules and safety here.
Be aware of environmental conditions such as water level & temperature, and current blue-green algae advisories.
Know your own limits while paddling, and be careful of log jams. To see where log jams have been reported, or to report your own observations, check the Water Report for the Tualatin watershed.
If you plan to fish we recommend following fish consumption advisories for resident fish in the Willamette Basin.
Make sure you are recreating responsibly by not littering on the river, or in and around access points. Always put your trash in the appropriate place when you're done with it and don't leave anything you brought with you behind.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is important to stay physically distanced from other paddlers, swimmers, and those enjoying the parks around the river. Always wear a face mask when appropriate distance isn't possible. This includes crowding at river access points and launches, and at Tualatin Riverkeepers' Cook Park River Rentals. If parking is full, consider a different location or coming back a different day.
For more detailed information about recreating on the Tualatin River visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Oregon DEQ also has a Tualatin River Recreation Factsheet that you can check out for information specific to the Tualatin.
If you have questions about any of the information above feel free to give us a call at (503) 218-2580 or email our Riverkeeper Ashley at ashley@tualatinriverkeepers.org
