'Not an option not to fix it': Willamette River project aims to end toxic algae blooms

The Human Access Project is raising funds to repair old construction to the Ross Island waterway, which will solve the problem of harmful algae blooms in the Willamette River near Ross Island Lagoon, which can cause illnesses in humans and pets.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – An effort to stop toxic algae blooms on the Willamette River near Ross Island Lagoon may be gaining some traction after a local nonprofit received a major grant.

Algae blooms have been a recurring problem for the site as climate change continues to raise temperatures in the area and residents flock to local waterways to stay cool – unintentionally putting their families at risk.

The Human Access Project is working with others to solve the problem by raising money to repair old construction to the Ross Island waterway, as first reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

So far, leader Willie Levenson said they are closing in on a $675,000 fundraising round including funding from $150,000 in Multnomah County. The project will likely take five to seven years.

"If we reestablish the flow that was there from the beginning, that will solve this problem of harmful algae that takes over the river, like last summer,” Levenson said. “It's not an option not to fix it.”

In 2023, the Oregon Health Authority set an advisory from the Willamette Cove and Cathedral Park area in North Portland down to the Ross Island Lagoon and Riverplace Marina near downtown. Additional advisories were issued at Sauvie Island, Aaron Lake and Sturgeon Lake.

The blue-green algae blooms happen when freshwater has little flow, lots of sunlight and increased temperatures, according to the Multnomah County Health Department.

"It makes the Willamette un-fishable, un-swimmable, un-drinkable,” Human Access Project leader Willie Levenson said. “We want to live in a city where we're not afraid to bring our dogs.”

Cyanotoxins can kill pets, but if ingested by humans, they can cause illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and dizziness. Children are also more at risk due to their size.

“Its primary concern is pets, but it can make people sick if it's ingested,” Levenson said. “It's really something you do not want to screw around with."

The bloom can impact much of the Portland section of the Willamette River down to Ross Island Lagoon, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

"The Willamette is our second largest public space, a natural area that's owned by the citizens of Oregon,” Levenson said. “This is our community's blue space.”