Landslide partially blocks Clackamas River near Barton

CCSO: Trees, debris appear to be stable

By Staff Reports

The Estacada News, Jan 27, 2010

Submitted photo / Estacada News

A landslide along Highway 224, east of Estacada, pushed a large amount of mud, trees and debris into the Clackamas River last week. Boaters will have to navigate around the debris, but the landslide did not present any immediate problems for river travel.

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One mile downstream from Barton Park is an area often teeming with river traffic during the summer months, with boaters and fisherman floating down the Clackamas. It’s less busy during the winter months, and that’s a good thing, considering what happened last week.

A landslide along the Clackamas River moved a large amount of earth and pushed at least five large trees an estimated 40 feet into the river on Jan. 20.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol says the debris appears to be stable, but urged boaters to use caution while traveling along this portion of the river.

CCSO investigators said the dislodged sediment may eventually alter river channels downstream. Changes in water levels may also dislodge these trees in the water, causing them to float downstream and block other river channels, Detective Jim Strovink said.

The partially blocked portion of the Clackamas River is estimated to have been approximately 100- to 150 feet across; the river still provides at least 100 feet of navigable water around the slide area.

“Upon assessing the situation, deputies are inclined at this point to allow Mother Nature to take her course and not disturb this naturally-caused phenomenon in the river,” Strovink said. “But marine deputies want to be certain boaters are aware of this hazardous debris field and the location of this occurrence.”

If the large trees and other debris are dislodged and begin moving downstream, potentially blocking the river in another location, deputies may be forced to cut through the debris to clear a route for river traffic.