Healing a Wounded River

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This program aired originally on May 4, 2026

The Willamette River begins its course as two forks merge south of Eugene, to form the major river in NW Oregon. From its pristine origins the Willamette flows as a recognizable river through small cities, forests and farmland, until it reaches Portland. There it becomes a highly channelized, industrialized waterway, the most polluted stretch of river in the entire state. The last ten mile stretch of the river was designated a federal Superfund Site in 2000. For its last six miles the Willamette is lined by a massive array of tank farms containing explosive liquid fuels and toxic chemicals.

On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Heather King, co-executive director of Willamette Riverkeeper, about reclaiming this mighty river to be a source of nourishment and vitality, as it once was before the coming of European settlers.