January 2009
Public should avoid contact with rivers, streams and flood waters - 1/2/09
Intermittent lane closures due to downtown sewer construction - 1/5/09
Sewage overflow to the Willamette River at Ross Island 0 1/13/09
Derek Booth brownbag - 1/16/09
Daytime closures on SW Washington in downtown Portland - 1/20/09
Public should avoid contact with rivers, streams and flood waters
January 2, 2009
The heavy rains that caused flooding along portions of Johnson Creek in Portland have also elevated bacteria levels in Portland rivers and streams.
People should not wade through or come into contact with standing water covering streets and walkways near Johnson Creek because of high levels of bacteria and other contaminants in the water.
The city also asks that drivers observe barricades indicating road closures due to high water. Driving through high water creates wakes that can cause further damage to structures and property.
People should also avoid contact with the Willamette River and all streams in the Portland area because of higher than normal bacteria levels. You should wash thoroughly if you do come into contact with flood waters, or water in rivers and streams.
Intermittent lane closures due to downtown sewer construction
January 5, 2009
Sewer construction will cause intermittent lane closures in downtown Portland between today (Monday, January 5) and Friday, January 16, 2009. Environmental Services is replacing manholes at several locations between SW Oak and Main streets on the north and south, and between SW 4th and 6th avenues on the east and west.
Construction hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Flaggers will direct traffic around construction areas. Construction will require temporary removal of on-street parking.
The work is part of Portland's $5 million dollar Downtown Mall Sewer Project to repair over 40 pipe segments in a 28 block area. Get more information at www.portlandonline.com/bes/downtownsewerproject, or contact Shareen Rawlings at downtownsewerproject@bes.ci.portland.or.us or 503-823-8735.
Sewage overflow to the Willamette River at Ross Island
January 13, 2009
About 800 gallons of sewage overflowed from an outfall pipe on the east bank of the Willamette River in Portland this morning. The outfall empties into the river channel between Ross Island and the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.
An East Side Big Pipe contractor pumping groundwater from a construction shaft into the combined sewer system caused water to overflow a diversion structure just after 8:00 a.m. today. Maintenance crews responding to an overflow alarm ended the overflow at 8:35 a.m. today.
People should avoid contact with the river today in the channel between Oaks Bottom and Ross Island because of increased bacteria in the water.
January 16, 2009
Join geologist and University of Washington professor Derek Booth at a brownbag presentation in the Portland Building Auditorium on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at noon.
Management, Monitoring and Ecological Integrity of Urban Streams:
Applying Adaptive Management to Portland
Tuesday, January 27
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Portland Building Auditorium
1120 SW 5th Avenue
Urban streams present unique challenges because they can both impact and benefit surrounding communities. They flood as well as provide access to the natural environment. Adaptive management holds the best hope for managing these complex stream systems.
Daytime closures on SW Washington in downtown Portland
January 20, 2009
Starting today, sewer repairs will close SW Washington Street between SW 6th and SW Broadway avenues for the next six days during daytime work hours. The street will close between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. through Saturday, January 24.
The work is part of a city project to repair more than 40 sewer pipe segments in downtown Portland. Get more information at www.portlandonline.com/downtownsewerproject, or contact Shareen Rawlings at downtownsewerproject@bes.ci.portland.or.us or 503-823-8735.
For information about Environmental Services programs, contact Linc Mann at 503-823-5328.