A reported drowning at Gladstone's Meldrum Bar Park sent deputies, marine crews and firefighters rushing to the Willamette River on Sunday, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. Emergency responders converged on the busy waterfront as they searched the river and worked along the shoreline. Officials said the case is under active investigation and that further details were not immediately available.
In a news release, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched after a 911 caller reported a possible drowning. Marine-unit personnel and rescue teams located a person in the water and rendered aid at the scene. The agency did not release the individual's name and said investigators are still gathering information. The Sheriff's Office also shared the notice on X and said it will post updates on its website as they become available.
Where It Happened
Meldrum Bar Park sits along the Willamette River in Gladstone and is a popular warm-weather spot for swimmers, boaters and cliff jumpers. The riverfront site features a public boat ramp and other day-use amenities and has been the focus of ongoing parking management and habitat restoration work, according to the City of Gladstone.
Local Context And Water Safety
The river corridor around Meldrum Bar has a reputation for strong currents and cold water that can quickly overwhelm even confident swimmers. Past incidents in the same stretch of the Willamette underscore those dangers. Clackamas County records show deputies recovered a body believed to be a missing kayaker just north of Meldrum Bar Park in May 2025.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, citing state data, notes that Oregon has seen dozens of accidental drownings in recent years and repeatedly urges people to wear life jackets and use extra caution around rivers.
Next Steps And How To Help
The Sheriff's Office has asked anyone with information about Sunday's incident to contact the department directly. Officials said updates will be shared on the agency's website and social media channels as the investigation moves forward.
Authorities are again stressing basic river safety for anyone heading to the water: wear a life jacket, steer clear of risky jumps into unknown depths and avoid mixing alcohol with time in or near moving water.
