Plans for a ‘water trail’ are being re-evaluated after report says the river in eastern Oregon has the second-worst water quality in the state
Business or pleasure? An important irrigation source for farmers, the Malheur River contains enough contaminants to sidetrack plans to make it a summer playground for swimmers. Photo by Bill Barrett/Creative Commons
By Griffin Hewitt, Argus Observer (Ontario, Oregon), April 7, 2021. A new recreational water trail proposed by the city of Ontario, Oregon, will need to undergo changes before moving forward—likely being relocated to a different body of water.
The trail, which would utilize the lower Malheur River for floating purposes and include places to launch canoes and other small watercraft, was pitched to the Ontario City Council by City Manager Adam Brown in May 2020. In a meeting at that time he likened the idea to a similar plan in Michigan, from which he’d relocated.
According to documents released in late March from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, however, the Malheur River has the second-worst water quality in the state, according to a rating by the Oregon Department of Environment Quality.
“DEQ doesn’t recommend recreating in the Malheur River near Ontario at this time because there are often high levels of bacteria in the water,” according to an email from Laura Gleim of Oregon DEQ. “The Snake River is a nearby alternative with better water quality that’s safer for recreating. Bacteria levels in the Malheur between Vale and Ontario are often above levels for safe contact recreation. Water quality starts to improve upstream of Vale, where Willow and Bully creeks enter the Malheur around river mile 20.”
Gleim said exposure to high levels of bacteria by immersion or swimming in the water can lead to “gastrointestinal illness, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and cramping.”
Gleim noted that over the past 20 years much work has been done to “improve water quality in the Malheur River, but there’s more to be done to get water quality back to safe levels for recreation. … The local Malheur Soil and Water Conservation District and Malheur Watershed Council are working really hard to improve conditions. Irrigation districts and farmers have been great partners in improving water quality over the past couple decades.”
The Malheur River is a 190-mile-long tributary of the Snake River in Eastern Oregon. The mouth of the river is located in Ontario. The river is heavily utilized for irrigation, especially in potato-growing areas along the Idaho-Oregon border. Its streamflow and tributaries are influenced by a complex system of irrigation diversions, siphons and canals. The river is known to contain high levels of dangerous sediment and nitrate.
Re-evaluating water trail
Asked for comment on how the watershed report might impact the future of the water-trail project, Ontario City Manager Adam Brown said in an email the city could put up signs warning against drinking or ingesting Malheur River water.
“It looks like they are getting some funding to get some cleaning,” wrote Brown. “What I thought I read, was that it was upstream a bit. So anything they do upstream will help us downstream.”
Brown said funds from Oregon Senator Ron Wyden’s proposed River Democracy Act could go toward the project, but said the city would have to wait to know for sure.
“We have considered putting up signs that warn against drinking or ingesting the water,” wrote Brown. “We may still do that. We don’t have an actual launch (site) right now, but there is a trailhead. Hopefully the focus on cleaning will come as we start adding the amenities so that it is a safe experience for everyone.”
Sammy Castonguay, an Ontario Parks Committee member, acknowledged the river is dirty.
“Yes, the Malheur water quality is terrible,” said Castonguay. “(It’s a) major concern. … Friends of the Owyhee also recognizes the problem and sees this as a future opportunity for our community to engage in ecological stewardship and outdoor recreation.”
The amount budgeted by the city for the water-trail project is $30,000, to be paid for out of the Marijuana Revenue Fund. Brown said no actual funds have been spent on the project so far.
He said city officials would reevaluate the water-trail plan, and could consider moving the drop-in site to the nearby Snake River.
“I will have to talk to the [Ontario City] Council about it,” said Brown. “Discuss it with them and get their approval.”
Leslie Thompson contributed to this story.
Columbia Insight is publishing this story as part of the AP StoryShare program, which allows newsrooms and publishing partners to republish each other’s stories and photos.
