One day last summer, over 1,300 hardy souls formed a human flotilla of inner tubes and other watercraft and gallantly sailed across the mighty Willamette River.  It was the inaugural launching of The Big Float (TBF).

The grand spectacle included a pre-float parade and after-party with live music, food and libations. Batman was there. The water was fine and nobody grew an extra head or foot.

Get ready. We’re setting sail again! 

THE BIG FLOAT II

*  Outlandish Watercraft Award   

*  Best-of-Cruise Costume Award     

*  Paddlers parade - kayakers, canoeists, dragon boaters, crew teams, SUP’ers

*  Floating barge with live music (we hope)

The Big Float II is open to all ages (a measly $5 registration cost per floater). All floaters must wear a life jacket. It's a safe voyage, not a race.

Join the flotilla. Share in the "great crossing" and participate in the grandest pool party Portland has ever seen!

This second annual Willamette River event, presented by Willamette Riverkeeper, is a celebration of our river – including the recreation it offers as well as the restoration it has undergone in recent years. The idea is to enjoy the river and also inspire positive aspirations for the river’s protection and improvement.

Despite public perception (which we are trying to change), the Willamette River is approved for swimming, except in the now rare instances when Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) conditions are present.

With the Big Pipe project now complete, it’s expected that a CSO will occur only once every two summers. You are more likely to see a whale swim up the Willamette than see a CSO in summer! Oregon DEQ states that when CSO conditions are not present, “the Willamette River is safe for swimming and other recreational uses.”

Questions? Click on the links below for official explanations of Willamette River water quality from the City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Willamette Riverkeeper.