Water monitoring shutdown leaves river users puzzled
SALEM (Ai>) A
p Ian t o a I) a n d o n
monitoring instru
ments that gauge wa
ter levels and flows
on 92 Oregon rivers
and streams has prompted a torrent of
criticism from conservationists, boaters,
anglers and residents
"The idea stinks," said whitewater ex
pert Kit IUihr, four-time president ol the
Santiam Whitewater Association and a
commercial rafter
lie said everyone from commercial
fishermen to casual recreational houtrrs
and anglers use the river level reports to
ensure a safe outing Heading out with
out such tradings could endanger rafters,
canoers and kayakers, ho said
"It doesn't make much sense to me."
John Iiielsteln, president of the North
Santiam River Guides Association, said
of the plans to vank .the stations Dec it
"A lot of rivers are unrunnable at certain
stages Anvhcxiv that spends time on the
rivers really needs those things "
The state Department of Water Re
sources and the U S Geological Survey
jointly operate the monitoring stations
Stale officials said they don’t have
enough money to keep the Instruments
functioning However, federal 'officials
said they would try to retain some of the
key gauges
(leraldino Walden worrit's about
floods Shu lives on the banks of tbn
Silet/ River, siv miles southeast of bin
c oin ('itv. Two years ago, the flood w aters
lame up to the second step of her front
port h
And now she lias learned the gauge
measuring the river level near Silet/.,
alxml .!() miles upstream, IS due to he
shut dow n Dei II
Walden depends on |im Hawley, bin
coin bounty emergency servic e’s coordi
nator. to warn her when there’s a danger
ous rise in the riv er
He have a list ol people we c all when
high water threatens so they
can move
on! or prepare," Hawley said He said
river levels have fluctuated wildly since
the deteriorating Valset/ Dam was re
moved two years ago. increasing the pos
sibility of .1 serious flood
'We need more of thorn, not fewer,"
Hill Bakko, executive director of Oregon
Irout, said ol the stations “We hate to
see this data base lost."
For more than a year, state officials,
legislators, conservationists, utilities, ir
rigators and other users of the rivers have
been discussing guaranteed riv er flows to
ensure that there's enough water to Hush
Iuv enile lisii downriver and to allow
adult salmon bat k upriver to spawn
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