Page 35 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE WATER
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Willamette River

The Willamette River is Clackamas County’s largest water-based tourism asset. It offers the most diverse water-tourism opportunities in Clackamas County and consequently the
greatest potential for total visitation. The Willamette River flows from the Boones Ferry Boat Launch in the southern end of the county to the Milwaukie/Portland line on the
north. These 22 river miles affords the recreationist the greatest diversity of water-based entertainment in the county. From motor boating and water skiing, to quite water
fishing and primitive camping on secluded islands. Along this stretch, a boater can tour the natural and cultural history of Oregon while floating the same waters that form the
rights of passage for young Native American men, that carved the most voluminous waterfall in the west, that powered Oregon’s industrial revolution, and which ends in the one
of the nation’s most progressive cities just over the county line. The lower section of the Willamette is also the most urban river in the County. Urban rivers provide interesting
opportunities for economic development and tourism. They are by definition, in close proximity to large number of people. They can take advantage of public infrastructure and
other resources, offer a wide range of activities, and promote convenient interactions with other urban activities such as dining, shopping, retail, nightlife, and other land-based
entertainment. Promoting the urban/river interface results in mutually beneficial development between rivers and downtowns and will become an important theme within this
plan.

More details about this stretch of the Willamette are provided here.

Wilsonville

Wilsonville has the furthest upstream launching point for water-based tourism in the county. Boones Ferry Boat Launch and Marina is managed by Clackamas County (through a
private concessionaire) and includes a well-constructed boat ramp, ample parking and slips for approximately 108 boats. Oregon’s settlers established a ferry boat (Boones Ferry)
more than 100 years ago at this site and played an important role in the transportation of goods moving east and west. The Willamette River Greenway is a protected area that
traverses the city. The Greenway is protected by local ordinances and state law which require adjacent properties and riparian areas to be designated "Greenway". Development
within the Willamette River Greenway is reviewed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the City to ensure that the Willamette River and its vegetated banks are
impacted to the least extent possible and that uses on the river are regulated. Wilsonville’s Memorial Park is 126 acres and has ½ mile of river frontage with a boat dock. The city
is currently planning modifications to the park with more connection to the water.

The Willamette Meridian Landing is also located in Wilsonville just downstream of Memorial Park. The landing is a free walk-in site owned and operated by the Oregon Parks and
Recreation Department. This is a muddy, steep and densely vegetated landing for car top boats. Access here is difficult and considering that boaters have many other and better
nearby options, this access is hardly used.

Canby

Canby City is embraced by two rivers: the Willamette River on the north and the Molalla River on the west. Both streams help delineate the city’s urban growth boundary. The
Molalla flows into the Willamette less 3.5 river miles downstream of Boones Ferry Boat Launch in the Molalla River State Park on the northern edge of the city. Canby recently