[OSMB-News] News Release -Boaters Urged to Avoid McKenzie River Hazard

Ashley MASSEY Ashley.Massey at state.or.us
Thu Oct 2 16:05:21 PDT 2008


For Immediate Release	Date: Thursday, October 02, 2008

Boaters Urged to Avoid McKenzie River Hazard 
	
This season the McKenzie River has seen its share of obstacles -of the wooden kind, from logs to root wads and strainers.  The Marine Board recently received a report of another blockage, potentially hazardous to boaters just above McKenzie Bridge. 
 
"This downed cottonwood tree has an approximate diameter of 60 inches and blocks a large portion of the river," reports Randy Henry, Operations Policy Analyst for the Marine Board.   Because of the location, the size of the tree and the fact that it's somewhat rotten makes it difficult to remove safely or easily."  Lane County Marine Patrol placed signs at the launch points upstream to discourage boaters from launching.  Experienced boaters can pass on the extreme right side of the river, but the current makes it very difficult.  "It's not recommended," Henry adds.  

The Marine Board predicts the tree will likely break apart after the first winter storm and be deposited downstream.  Until that time, boaters are urged to avoid or use extreme caution in this section of the river. 

For the most up-to-date information about navigation hazards, visit http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/safety/navigation_hazards.shtml 
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Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs Specialist
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

Boating enlivens your senses!





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