Last week, the algae bloom that returned to the Ross Island Lagoon spread all the way to Kelley Point Park (that’s approximately 8 river miles traveling North from the Lagoon), and we made the call to cancel Audrey McCall Beach Friday Splashdown. We waited until the last possible minute, hoping the water would turn a corner. We couldn't in good conscience host a party in a river we weren't personally going to get into.

Splashdown at Audrey McCall Beach and Lloyd Live! At Duckworth Dock bring people, and dollars, to the businesses around the area every week. When the river closes, so does that foot traffic. This bloom doesn't just cost us a party; it costs this stretch of the Willamette real economic activity. What’s more, it makes our river look like crap!

It's getting worse. Four of the last five summers have brought a serious bloom to this part of the river, and this year's is the worst we've documented in a decade.

We know the fix. OSU scientists have designed a flushing channel that would restore natural flow through the lagoon and clear the conditions that let this bloom form in the first place. It's tested and it’s ready. What's missing is a state agency willing to lead it.

We are grateful that the weather is cooling and rain is incoming, which will help flush the algae. But we can’t delay this any longer. This is where you come in. Many are asking, ‘What can I do?’ Write your Portland City Council members and legislators. Legislative days are next week, so please don’t put it off. Tell them Portlanders want the Willamette fixed. We have the power to do this! 

Contact an elected official | Portland.gov 

Engage with Council | Portland.gov 

View current elected City officials | Portland.gov 

Search for your 2026 Oregon legislators :: Your Government - The Oregonian 

District 1

Councilor Candace Avalos - Councilor.Avalos@portlandoregon.gov  Lauren Jin, Communications Manager: Lauren.Jin@portlandoregon.gov 

Councilor Jamie Dunphy - Councilor.Dunphy@portlandoregon.gov Madeline West, Chief of Staff: Madeline.West@portlandoregon.gov

Councilor Loretta Smith - Councilor.Smith@portlandoregon.gov  Elijah Crawford, Chief of Staff: Elijah.Crawford@portlandoregon.gov 

District 2

Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney - Councilor.Pirtle-Guiney@portlandoregon.gov Devin Mullins, Acting Chief of Staff: Devin.Mullins@portlandoregon.gov 

Councilor Sameer Kanal - Councilor.Kanal@portlandoregon.gov Shaniqua Henry-Davis, Senior Communications & Policy Advisor: Shaniqua.Henry-Davis@portlandoregon.gov 

Councilor Dan Ryan - Councilor.Ryan@portlandoregon.gov Kezia Wanner, Chief of Staff: Kezia.V.Wanner@portlandoregon.gov 

District 3

Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane - Councilor.Koyamalane@portlandoregon.gov Mary Li, Head of Staff: Mary.Li@portlandoregon.gov

Councilor Angelita Morillo  - Councilor.Morillo@portlandoregon.gov Meredith Wadlington, Community Liaison: Meredith.Wadlington@portlandoregon.gov 

Councilor Steve Novick - Councilor.Novick@portlandoregon.gov Spencer Knowles, Chief of Staff: Spencer.knowles@portlandoregon.gov 

District 4

Councilor Olivia Clark - Councilor.Clark@portlandoregon.gov Jimmy Radosta, Communications and Engagement Director: Jimmy.E.Radosta@portlandoregon.gov 

Councilor Mitch Green - Councilor.Green@portlandoregon.gov Maria Sipin, Chief of Staff: Maria.Sipin2@portlandoregon.gov 

Councilor Eric Zimmerman - Councilor.Zimmerman@portlandoregon.gov Christopher Van Velden, Communications Director: Christopher.VanVelden@portlandoregon.gov 

HAP’s work is cultural change

Since 2010, we have:

• Brought more than 50,000 people to the river through creative events like The Big Float and Tuesday Splashdowns at Audrey McCall Beach.

• Helped establish Portland’s first and second public beaches in a century — Poet’s and Audrey McCall Beach.

• Partnered with Portland Parks & Recreation to designate six safer swimming areas along the Willamette.

• Removed hundreds of tons of concrete, riprap, and derelict pilings, creating new beaches such as Cathedral Park and Duckworth Beach.

• Converted the Kevin Duckworth Dock from motorized to non-motorized use, transforming it into a safer space for swimmers and anglers.

• Improved swimming access and safety by adding ladders, stairways, and seasonal lifeguards at key river sites.

• Spearheaded a science-based solution to the Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) crisis at Ross Island.

And we’re just getting started.
Learn more about HAP, swimming on the Willamette, and how you can get involved below.