PORT NEWS AND NOTES: Scappoose Bay Marina: Growth, improvements and future plans

If you’ve spent time at Scappoose Bay Marina lately, you might have noticed the surge in visitors over the last few years.

The public boat ramp, known for its easy access to the Multnomah Channel and Columbia River, has long been a popular launch spot with recreational power boaters and anglers. However, in recent years, the miles of flat-water estuaries have made Scappoose Bay a popular destination for kayakers and paddleboarders as well. In fact, it’s not unusual for the marina to see over 2,000 visitors over a busy summer weekend.

Scappoose Bay Marina was not originally constructed for this number and variety of users. With input from the Scappoose Bay Marine Park Advisory Committee, the Port of Columbia County has been working on renovation plans to accommodate this growth and meet the needs of both power boaters and kayakers. Since 2021, the Port has secured more than $582,000 in grants from the Oregon State Marine Board, which, when matched by the Port, brings the total investment to more than $1.16 million. These funds have been used to design, engineer and permit for the Scappoose Bay Marina Improvement Project and begin construction on the first phase of upland improvements.

You may have seen the construction currently underway in the parking lot and launch area. Local contractor Cornice Construction is constructing the upland improvements, which includes an additional kayak unloading and staging area in the upper parking lot, an air fill station, a second pay station, more public and ADA parking and widened sidewalks. The project is expected to be complete by the end of year, and will help to ease congestion, increase capacity and improve safety and accessibility for all visitors. The Port also recently spent $26,000 to improve the paved nature trail to remove tree roots and repair the pavement.

However, not all planned improvements are moving forward as expected. While the Port had hoped to begin dredging the marina this fall, that project has been postponed due to new requirements for the upland disposal of dredged materials. Estimated dredging costs have increased to over $3 million, a figure that exceeds what the Port had budgeted for the project.

In response to this new challenge, the Port is evaluating future options for Scappoose Bay Marina. The assessment will look at infrastructure needs, projected growth and future dredging requirements, while also exploring potential funding options. We look forward to sharing and discussing the results of the study with the community when they are available next spring.

Scappoose Bay Marina is one of the few river access points in the southern part of Columbia County. The Port is dedicated to supporting and improving this community asset so that it continues to be a premier destination for years to come, and we look forward to your involvement in what that future will look like.

Sean Clark is the executive director of the Port of Columbia County.