PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Another day of major heat is warming up just about everything, including the local rivers.
The Willamette River is running about 74 degrees right now.
“It definitely feels warmer than it did last summer,” regular Willamette swimmer Tala Schlossberg said. “Last couple weeks especially have been feeling warm.”
According to the United States Geological Survey, the Willamette has reached nearly 78 degrees this summer. The record is 81.5 degrees, which was set back in 1978.
“The Willamette is warm right now,” Adam Stonewall with USGS said. “I don’t want to understate it, but it’s not critically warm or the warmest we’ve ever seen.”
That doesn’t mean the warm water can’t spell problems.
“The warmer it is, the less oxygen the water can hold,” Stonewall said. “So of course that has impacts on fish and things of that nature.”
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality said the criteria for salmon and steelhead migration is 68 degrees for the Willamette. It’s been well above that, but experts told KOIN 6 News it’s not uncommon for the summer months.
“A few days of cool temperatures make a big difference or a big rain storm that adds water to the system,” Stonewall said.