SALEM, Ore. — People living in the Willamette Valley are keeping a close eye on the Willamette River. It crested above flood stage Wednesday night, but was already causing problems.
“As bad as I’ve ever seen it down there,” said Tyler McClung.
McClung rides his bicycle through Salem’s Minto-Brown Island Park at least five days a week. Monday was different.
“The water’s unbelievably high,” he said.
At just about every turn McClung was riding up on water-covered paths.
“Just tried to come from the other side,” he said. “Nope, I’m turning around.”
Several corners of the park are flooded by the rising Willamette River. A picnic table and fishing dock are getting swallowed up by the flood waters. Wallace Marine Park is already closed. West Salem Park is also experiencing issues.
A KGW crew stumbled across flooding on Talbot Road South in Marion County. The rural road north of Albany was impassable.
“It’s impressive to see the water moving,” said Philip Landis of Albany. “I don’t remember the water moving so swiftly.”
Back at Minto-Brown Island Park, McClung wonders if the river levels will continue to rise, ultimately closing the park. If so, he will take it in stride.
“We live in Oregon,” he said. “You’re just used to the rain and you just deal with it.”
