The river level was about 4 and a half feet when this photo was taken early Monday afternoon.
Nature, or more specifically the Willamette River, has created something like a natural little harbor on the Albany riverfront. But we’re not going to make use of it.
This is where the city of Albany once maintained a floating dock at the foot of the western one of two wooden piers that then-Parks Director Dave Clark had built more than 30 years ago.
The floating dock soon became dangerous to use. The strong current changed course and, aiming straight for the dock, started pushing canoes under it. Then the float became useless because the current kept working and eventually built up a gravel bar in the very spot where the riverboat Willamette Queen had once been berthed.
On Monday I went out on that pier and could not help noticing the neat little inlet between the bank and the farthest pilings that once held the floating dock. In the inlet, the water was still, perfect for someone paddling a canoe and trying to make a landing.
The steps up to the pier are still there, so landing down there might be handy for paddlers wanting to make a stop and visit downtown on their trip downriver.
The water level in the river was between 4 and 5 feet on the Albany gauge Monday afternoon. (It’s expected to rise to 12 feet by Thursday.)
With a little dredging, that little bay might hold enough water even during the summer, when the river is lower than it is now. But of course that is not going to be allowed.
Not that anybody actually has this in mind. On the contrary, when this pier is repaired as part of Albany’s riverfront project, the design calls for benches to be placed on the platform, and that’s it. The design doesn’t show the stairway, so presumably that is going to be removed.
It’s hard to see that this pier still has a function at all, without the floating dock and the stairway to get down to the water. In summer at low water, the view from those benches will be mostly of a mud flat below and the wooded gravel bar on the other side. (hh)
I understand the need to look for more options that generate revenue and maybe a more all encompassing name will open more doors. But we now have a coffee shop that charges for coffee and snack items, the gift shop is gone. The welcoming feel for seniors to gather over a cup is gone. For the most part both the coffee table and gift shop were staffed by volunteers and much of the items were donated. The little volunteer run gift shop provided a wonderful outlet for a large number of senior crafters and seamstresses. Few of any of those people have the ability or health to display at local craft or street fairs. Just seems a short sighted vision. So I guess we just fade away…The new decor and painting is nice though.
This was intended to go with the community center story.
Let’s just hope nobody try’s to use it as a diving platform.
Like “we – the taxpayers” NEED a multi million dollar beach front! If ya believed in Biden’s State of Disillusion speech the other day take a big gulp & put up with burdening our great grand kids with CARA’s legacy! Reagan would have faced down Putin!
You are so correct
Jim. First thing is drudge the river and it is not in the cards. You are so right. I wish city manager would stop this madness But he is a short timer. Less than 2 years and he probably be gone. Wish we could get people in management to see the waste
JE
Pretty disconnected stream of what was once called junk-o’logic.
You’re better than that.
Too much caffeine?
Saint Ronny rising from the dead.
Please. Spare me your worship of said dead president. He is rolling over in his grave at what has become of the republican party.
So SAD!
Whoa Nelly,
It’s you again. I didn’t even want to reply. As someone who is probably closer to their grave than you. How the heck would you know what Reagan would think. Most of these politicians are shysters. At least Bonzo was from out West here. I’ll take that over any New York, Southerner, what have you, any day of the week. Maybe twice on Sundays. If I don’t have to push that dad gummed yard debris can down.
I agree about the Community Senior Center. It is a real shame that Seniors do not have the welcome they once had