PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Record rainfall over the past few days has water levels rising in area rivers and, coupled with the snowmelt, has officials concerned over possible flooding.
On Monday morning, officials upgraded the flood watch for the Columbia River at Vancouver to a flood warning.
A flood Watch is in effect for the Columbia River at Longview: June 13, 3 a.m. through June 14, 6 a.m.
Portland’s Eastbank Esplanade has been closed as officials say the Willamette River has risen and affected the floating path amid a weekend of intense rains.
The closure, from north of the Morrison Bridge to south of the Steel Bridge, began Sunday and will last until further notice on river conditions. However, officials predict the water levels will recede enough by Wednesday.
A Portland hot spot for summer, Poet’s Beach along the Willamette River, has disappeared, covered by rising water levels with just a glimpse of a ‘no lifeguard’ warning sign peeking out.
Across the Willamette, logs and wood debris have started to accumulate as the area sees record rainfall and snowmelt going into summer.
“This late-spring, early-summer, wet, cold weather is abnormal and the rivers are high and muddy,” said Dave Slover, owner of Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe.
Heavy rains swelled the Columbia River near a walkway in Vancouver, east of the I-5 bridge, June 12, 2022 (Courtesy: Jim Brusse) 
Heavy rains swelled the Columbia River near a walkway in Vancouver, east of the I-5 bridge, June 12, 2022 (Courtesy: Jim Brusse) 
Heavy rains swelled the Columbia River near a walkway in Vancouver, east of the I-5 bridge, June 12, 2022 (Courtesy: Jim Brusse) 
High water nearly covered all of Poet’s Beach on the Willamette River in downtown Portland, June 12, 2022 (KOIN) 
Rising water in the Columbia River led to parts of Captain William Clark Park flooding in Washougal, June 11, 2022 (KOIN)
As Fleet Week wraps up, the harbor master is keeping an eye on the Willamette River levels. So far it does not appear the river has reached levels to impact the ships’ ability to leave.
Visitors and pedestrians will be kept from being on the path from around SE Ash Street to near SE Everett Street.
The Esplanade is a multiuse pathway along the Willamette River, with a 1,200-foot wooden deck over the water beneath the Burnside Bridge.
An atmospheric river that dumped tons of water on the metro area left waterways swollen and some rivers flooding in both Oregon and SW Washington this weekend.
A flood Watch is in effect for the Columbia River at Longview: June 13, 3 a.m. through June 14, 6 a.m.
On Monday morning, officials upgraded the flood watch for the Columbia River at Vancouver to a flood warning.
In Washougal, rising water in the Columbia River led to parts of Captain William Clark Park flooding.
As people head outdoors for summer fun, local kayaking and boating experts suggest to stick to calmer lakes over rising rivers for the time being and always wear a lifejacket.
“As long as people have those on, regardless of the weather conditions, that keeps everybody up at the surface and floating and able to make it to shore or back to their boat,” said Slover.