Page 28 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE WATER
3-10

Lower Clackamas

The Lower Clackamas River is generally considered to be the section from Barton Park to the
confluence of the Willamette River in Oregon City and Gladstone. This section of river is flat, warm,
clean and friendly. The shorelines are gently sloping with many beach areas and natural areas to relax
on and enjoy. The water is safe with few or no hydraulic hazards. The water quality is good to
excellent. The scenery is beautiful. Certain sections of the river are secluded from any visual signs or
noises of human development. Eagles and hawks can be seen flying overhead and on quite days the
fishing can be excellent. There are several public access points including Barton Park, Carver Park and
Riverside park, as well as several roadside access points that may or may not be legal for general
public use. This section is also one of the closest and more accessible water recreation areas to the
greater Portland metro area. In fact, anyone wanting to spend a day on water can pack an inner tube,
take public transit to Barton Park, float to Carver Park, have lunch at a local restaurant, and take the
transit back home. The accessibility of the river and the excellent recreation quality of the river is
likely the reason that so many people use the river. Recreation planners, river guides, park managers
and county officials will cite this section of river as having the most user conflicts. On hot summer
days parking lots are full, and the river can look like a parade. During these times any chance of
enjoying solitude, or catching fish, is eliminated. For some, this defeats the purpose of going to the
river; for others, it’s exactly why they go.