The Willamette River Basin, Oregon Anne Evans Abstract: The Willamette River Basin is located in Western Oregon, stretching from Eugene to Portland where it drains into the Columbia River. Approximately 70% of Oregon's population resides in this area. Water use in the Willamette Valley is mainly agricultural. A recent increase in agricultural use is largely explained by the adoption of new farming practices requiring increased irrigation. This paper discusses water use issues in the Willamette Valley such as population and supply as well as specifically focusing on pollution. The Willamette River has a long history of pollution problems, beginning in the first part of this century. Although a substantial improvement in the health of the river was made in the 1970s, it has returned to a degraded state since then. Recent efforts to maintain the river have been embraced by Governor Kitzhaber and local interest groups, though it is clear that we have great lengths to go in improving its condition.   Key References: MacWilliams, Scott. (1999, Feb. 14). What's in the Water? Gazette-Times. Starbird, Ethel A. (1972, June). A River Restored: Oregon's Willamette. National Geographic, 141, 816-834. Tallmadge, Alice. (1998, Oct. 29). Our Troubled River. Eugene Weekly.   Return to Water Resources Papers page.