Weather
Any of many phone apps can report predicted air temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, wind speed & direction.
NOAA-Northwest River Forecast Center – Willamette River @ Morrison Bridge – velocity & depth predictions, temperature history
Additional links for weather details
NOAA – Tides – Morrison Bridge predictions
USGS National Water Information System – measured data, no prediction
Willamette Sailing Club – measured data, no prediction
Go/No-go Notification
If we cancel practice before arriving at the dock, an Announcement will be posted on the Home page and a TeamSnap Alert will be sent to all GD members, usually by a msg to the TeamSnap app on your phone, or by email. (See Using Teamsnap to setup your phone for Alerts.) IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT PADDLING, CHECK THE HOME PAGE OR YOUR PHONE/EMAIL BEFORE COMING TO THE DOCK!
Weather Criteria | Metric |
Visibility at River Surface (daylight)1 | 150 yards or more; the Hawthorne bridge must be visible from the River Place dock |
Visibility at River Surface (night)2 | red & green bow lights and white stern light visible from 100 yards |
Air Temperature3 | predicted air temperature @ 9AM >= 32oF |
Wind4 | <17mph – 10 to 12 paddlers minimum 17 to 23mph – 14 paddlers minimum >23mph – no paddling |
Storm forecast5 | If storm forecast includes a warning for lightning, no paddling permitted |
Air Pollution6 | AQI > 100 – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI > 150 – Unhealthy, no paddling |
River Velocity at Morrison Bridge7 | >2.5 fps (1.7 mph) 14 – 16 paddlers minimum >3.0 fps (2.0 mph) no paddling |
River Algal Bloom8 | Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, issues advisories if cyanobacteria toxin levels exceed their criteria. |
River E. Coli Count9 | <406 is acceptable by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality |
Combined Sewer Overflows10 | If CSO occurs, Portlanders are advised to stay out of the water for 48 hours |
City Severe Travel Warnings/Portland School Weather Closing11 | no paddling |
Footnote # | Link |
1 | DSUSA Rules, Guidelines & Safety, “Fog/Reduced Visibility” |
2 | DSUSA Rules, Guidelines & Safety, “Rules Applicable to all DSUSA Boats, #6” |
3 | Operational Procedures Appx 5 – GD Water Safety Plan, “Sect. D-a-6” |
4 | DSUSA Rules, Guidelines & Safety, “Wind” |
5 | DSUSA Rules, Guidelines & Safety, “Lightning” |
6 | AirNow, Portland Air Quality |
7 | DSUSA Rules, Guidelines & Safety, “Current” |
8 | Oregon Health Authority, Cyanobacteria Blooms, “Current Advisories” |
9 | City of Portland Oregon Bureau of Environmental Services, “Morrison Bridge E. coli” |
10 | City of Portland Oregon Bureau of Environmental Services, “About CSOs” |
11 | Operational Procedures, “Sect. III-C-2” |