The Willamette River, as it flows through the heart of Portland, Oregon, is in the midst of a recreational renaissance. With newly installed swim docs and beaches, and summer swimming festivals and events, more people have access to this vibrant natural resource than ever before.
But years of changing climate and industrial use are threatening this progress. The river is also seeing increasing blooms of harmful cyanobacteria in late summer, incubated in the stagnant waters of Ross Island Lagoon, located just upstream from the city’s urban core.
Fortunately, this problem can be solved. A team of OSU researchers, nonprofits and public agency partners has identified a solution. This short film outlines a data-drive solution to a problem that threatens the restoration of Portland’s historic relationship with the Willamette.
- Learn more about the work of the Rivers Lab at Oregon State University in addressing the cyanobacteria problem.
- Find out about studying ecological engineering at OSU.
