New rules for boating activities on the Lower Willamette River are effective May 1, 2021, and are meant to address congestion and improve safety. There are three different areas of the river with new rules.
The first is a slow no-wake zone extension from the Holgate Channel past the tip of Ross Island including the Ross Island Lagoon that’s in effect year-round.
The second is a seasonal pass-through zone from May 1st through September 30th from the Hawthorne Bridge to Waverly Marina. All boats can pass through this nearly 4-mile stretch without reducing speed. Think of it like a highway. This includes personal watercraft. Operators must pass through this zone above 5 miles per hour and not play in the area. Also, towed watersports activities are not allowed in this zone. The pass-through zone is intended to reduce congestion and ensure boaters can transit to other locations on the river to safely play.
The final segment of rules applies to towed watersports activities from Waverly Marina at river mile 17, upstream to Willamette Falls at river mile 26.7. This is a year-round rule. Within 100 feet of docks or other structures in the water, operators must travel at a slow, no wake speed. Water skiing is allowed outside of 100 feet from docks and other structures in the water, and towing inflatables and wakeboarding is allowed outside of 200 feet from docks and other structures in the water.
Watch the video below for more details.