Surrounded by water, the Monteith Riverpark stage almost looks like it could fly in this wide-angle shot from Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
Back on the Albany riverfront, the news is about the same: High water in the parks, but no problems.
At 3:15 p.m. Monday, the Willamette was at 19.28 feet on the Albany gauge. The Weather Service forecast that the river level would rise slightly, cresting at 19.49 feet by 10 a.m. Tuesday, and then gradually drop over the next few days.
Responding to previous posts and an unrelated comment about unfinished work at Lehigh Park, Rick Barnett of the Albany Parks and Recreation Department sent me this on Monday morning:
“River Levels – Parks Closed: Forecast is for the river to come back up a bit between now and tomorrow and then start to subside.  We will keep Takena Landing and Bowman closed until it subsides. I suspect Bryant will be closed for a while. Once water subsides we have to do some cleaning of roads, playground and shelter to make it all usable. Lower road will probably stay closed through end of February or so (depending on potential for flooding).
“Lehigh Park Playground Project: The weather caught up with us. We need to level off the area and fill with gravel so contractor can put the subsurface material and artificial turf into place. Unfortunately, the playground area is a bit of a muddy mess and we also don’t have a good way to get the gravel to the areas it is needed without cracking new concrete or taking a chance of burying a truck in the turf. We have everything we need except good weather. Probably going to be late spring before we can finish. In the scheme of a playground that will last 30 years it is just a small blip, but we are disappointed to not be able to finish right now.”
Monday was the first full day of sunshine in a long time, something for which to be grateful, especially if you like to ride a bike. (hh)
You could sell framed prints of that image. Make a mint at the next Nw Arts and Air Fesitvus