Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect a second trip to Alton Baker Park.
On June 12, both the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers swelled as the two areas received a heavy downpour overnight and throughout the day.
A usually great place to sit at Alton Baker Park is now inundated with water from the swelling Willamette River on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
A usually great place to sit at Alton Baker Park is now inundated with water from the swelling Willamette River on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
It may be hard to tell in this photograph but the photographer’s boots are partially submerged by water from the Willamette River in what would normally be a dry, grassy area at Alton Baker Park on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The pedestrian path at Alton Baker Park is inundated with water from the swelling Willamette River on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The pedestrian path at Alton Baker Park is inundated with water from the swelling Willamette River on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Nature, though, seemed to be pretty pleased with the circumstances.
At Alton Baker Park, the Willamette inundated the pedestrian path and made it more accessible for our waterfowl friends of all ages. The riverbanks, usually accessible by foot, were now impassable and, as a result, people who had been living along the Willamette were forced to move and abandon their belongings.
A gaggle of Canadian geese—of all ages!—enjoys the inundated pedestrian path at Alton Baker Park on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Two mallards float on what should be dry grass next to the pedestrian path at Alton Baker Park as the Willamette River swells on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
A dozen-or-so mallards take the opportunity that the inundated pedestrian path and grass at Alton Baker Park has given them to find some food on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Two mallards dip down on what would be the pedestrian path at Alton Baker Park as the Willamette River swells on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The river bank along the Willamette becomes a part of the river itself as it swells near Alton Baker Park on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Many, if not all, of the offshoot trails along the Alton Baker Park pedestrian path are inundated with water and impassable as the Willamette River swells on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The river bank along the Willamette becomes a part of the river itself as it swells near Alton Baker Park on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Many, if not all, of the offshoot trails along the Alton Baker Park pedestrian path are inundated with water and impassable as the Willamette River swells on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Someone who had been living along the bank of the Willamette River was forced to move and abandon their sleeping bag. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
There was a possible cause for concern, however. A large, clear plastic tarp, that seemed to only be held down by a few bales of hay, was at risk of being swept away towards the Pacific Ocean.
Bales of hay are all that keep a large, clear plastic tarp from being swept away by the swelling Willamette River under the Peter DeFazio Bridge on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
At Day Island Park, in Springfield, the McKenzie River swelled much the same as the Willamette. The parking lot for the park was nearly completely filled and ducks swam freely until an inconsiderate pair of men driving a black pickup truck decided they wanted to also have fun in the water, effectively scaring them all away.
The bottom of the driveway leading to Day Island Park and it’s parking lot is beginning to flood as the McKenzie River swells on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The parking lot for Day Island Park is inundated with water from the swelling McKenzie River on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The river bank at Day Island Park is inundated with water from the swelling McKenzie River and gets closer and closer to the pedestrian path. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
What used to be the bank of the McKenzie River is now a part of the river itself and a fallen tree creates large ripples in the fast moving water on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
By 6:30 p.m., the Willamette River had continued to swell to the point that it was nearing, if not at, the high level mark from Dec. 26, 1964. The benches, that were wading earlier, now had their seats almost completely submerged by the river.
The Willamette River continuing to swell, nearing the record high water mark from Dec. 26, 1964, around 6:30 p.m. on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The Willamette River continuing to swell around 6:30 p.m. on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The Willamette River continuing to swell around 6:30 p.m. on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
The Willamette River continuing to swell around 6:30 p.m. on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Nature, though, was happy. And that’s all that mattered.
What appears to be a blue heron standing proudly at Alton Baker Park on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
What was once a pedestrian path, grass, and bark is now riverbed as the Willamette River continues to swell around 6:30 p.m. on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]
Dozens of ducks and geese either wade, or completely float, on top of what should be grass and the pedestrian walkways as the Willamette River continues to swell around 6:30 p.m. on June 12, 2022. [James Croxton // Double Sided Media]