Page 38 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE WATER
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Unincorporated County Land

For approximately 4 miles downstream of the Canby Ferry, the river flows through a quiet and seemingly remote section of Clackamas County. It offers the boater a glimpse of
native landscape and beckons images of settler-era river transportation while modern day boat launches, and residential homes occasionally blink into view. Hebb Park is one of
these new boat launches. It is managed by Clackamas County as a boat launch park, picnic area with hiking and biking opportunities. From there, a boater can float past the
remote Fish Eddy Landing on river right, and visit the pair of Willow Islands, two small undeveloped areas owned by the State of Oregon and left in the natural state. Two miles
after Willow Islands the boater would arrive at Coalca Landing. This is a primitive boat launch managed by Oregon Park and Recreation Department. Recently, the road to this
area has been closed and therefore the only access to this site is by boat or on foot. While this prevents car top boats from launching and taking out here, it does increase the
opportunities for remote camping (not permitted today), fishing, nature viewing, and picnicking.

Across the river from Coalca Landing is Rock Island and Rock Island Landing. These two natural areas give boaters and tourists the best lessons in natural history of the Willamette
River. Madrone, rare white Larkspur, and Camas cover the hillsides. The river leverages geologic time to carve basalt rock, and a diversity of birds, mammals and fish call this
home. There are 469 acres on Rock Island Landing owned by the State of Oregon and Metro. The Islands are owned by Metro and The Nature Conservancy.

West Linn

One mile downstream of Rock Island is the mouth of the Tualatin River and West Linn City. The
Willamette River follows West Linn’s eastern border for nearly 6 ½ miles. This stretch gives West Linn
residents a source of pride, pleasure, and prosperity as the City balances recreation and industry. The
river is used extensively for recreation and commerce, especially during peak season for used for
swimming, boating, water-skiing, and fishing. All lands within West Linn's Willamette River Greenway are
either developed or committed to urban uses. In addition to the Greenway, the City has several parks
along the river. Of the 6 ½ miles of shoreline along the Willamette within West Linn, about two miles are
currently zoned for industrial use and are primarily occupied the by the West Linn paper mill and PGE’s
Hydroelectric facility. Seven West Linn park sites have frontage on the Willamette River, making
approximately 2.1 miles of shoreline directly accessible to the public. They include:
1. The combined Willamette Park and Bernert Landing Boat Ramp measure 22.5 acres and include a
boat ramp and dock.
2. The Cedar Oak Boat Ramp is located in a 16.5-acre park below the Locks that includes a boat
ramp, river access, and hiking trails.
3. Mary S. Young Park is a large forest park located just upstream of the Cedar Oak Boat Ramp. This
park does not have a boat ramp but does offer Willamette River shoreline that is accessible by foot.