Last minute mid-week winter paddle with minimal wind! Level 2

Sauvie Island Boat Ramp to Upstream End of Sauvie Island

We'll launch at the Sauvie Island Boat Ramp and take advantage of the incoming tide to paddle to the upstream end of Sauvie Island - kayaking under the Sauvie Island bridge and passing by the houseboat communities. We'll head north up the Willamette River just a bit to explore and find a nice beach for lunch. The return trip is all downriver with a tidal assist. Total trip length will be 6-8 nautical miles.

The Sauvie Island Bridge (1950, 2008) is one of the signature landmarks for this section of the Willamette River. The Sauvie Island Bridge was officially renamed to the Wapato Bridge on Nov 30 2023. The name comes from a wetland tuber, long harvested by Indigenous tribes. The name change honors this historical food gathering and trading area.

This trip is limited to members.  To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group

Meeting Time: 10:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 11:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Sauvie Island Boat Ramp 15475 NW Ferry Rd Portland OR 97231
Take out: Sauvie Island Boat Ramp 15475 NW Ferry Rd Portland OR 97231
Route Alternative for bad weather: None.
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Susan Dininni (TO Candidate)
Co-Organizer(s): Joe Howell (TO mentor)
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: 
Maximum number of paddlers: 8
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 40-45 degrees F
Estimated Water Temperature: 40 degrees F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 3-4 hours
Tide times & heights: 5:45 AM 0.18 ft
12:06 PM. 2.82 ft
8:35 PM. 0.89 ft
Current information: Multnomah Channel Current Speed forecast close to 0 kt
Hazards: 
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Level 2 due to Trip Length and Winter Paddling Conditions
Location: Sauvie Island Boat Ramp 15475 NW Ferry Rd Portland OR 97231
Photos (Optional): 
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Rocky Point, Multnomah Channel