Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) enforces Oregon environmental laws to protect people’s health and to keep our region’s air, land, and water clean and healthy. For more information about DEQ’s compliance and enforcement program, please see the agency’s website.

Every two years, DEQ is required to assess water quality and report to EPA on the condition of Oregon's waters. DEQ prepares an Integrated Report that meets the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) for Section 305(b) and Section 303(d). The Proposed Integrated Report includes an assessment of each water body where data are available.

Oregon Water Quality Index Data Summary Water Years 2013-2022 shows the upper and mid-Willamette River water quality is good to excellent.  View interactive map created by the DEQ. 

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Monitoring Location (Water Quality)*

(2013-2022)

Willamette River @ Canby Ferry___________Good (87)
Willamette Supply Intake (located between Canby and Wheatland Ferrys
Willamette R. @ Wheatland Ferry_________Good (89)
Willamette R. @ Salem__________________ Good (89)
Willamette R. @ Albany__________________Good (89)
Willamette R. @ Corvallis_______________Excellent (90)
Willamette R. @ HWY 99E (Harrisburg)__Excellent (92)
Willamette R. @ HWY 126 (Springfield)__Excellent  (93)

*Oregon Water Quality Index (OWQI) scores range from 10 (worst case) to 100 (ideal water quality).

This summary report provides a general statistical overview of water quality conditions and trends throughout Oregon through use of the OWQI. The index analyzes a defined set of water quality variables and produces scores describing general water quality throughout Oregon. Water quality variables included in the index are temperature, dissolved oxygen (percent saturation and concentration), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) , pH, total solids, ammonia and nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus and bacteria.

DECADES OF INVESTMENT

“Decades of work and millions of dollars of investment by the State, industry, and cities has reversed some of the worst damage to the Willamette River. Cities and industries began treating wastewater in the 1950’s, and treatment has improved steadily since.”

– Oregon Department of Environmental Quality