The street address will leave you at dead end road with no parking signs. If you have driven, it’s ok to park for a short time and get water. GIS maps are confusing, the road ends a pedestrain bridge, but don’t fret, you are close. Cross the bridge over Boeckeman Creek into a gravel parking lot. Wilsonville Community Garden will be on your right. A gated road bisects the garden, heading towards a brick building which is itself a pump house for a well. Walk down the gravel road toward the building, nearing another fenced garden plot on the left. Continue toward the building, passing it on the left side with the garden on your right, following the footpath towards the forest. You’ll notice a sunken area with cattails about 50 yards past the garden heading towards the forest. This is where the spring is located, just to the right of the trail. There is 6 inch pipe where the water flows out. Look close it acn difficult to find is overgrown The area near the spring was mowed in June 2009, bring a machete or at least shirt with sleeves and pants as the blackberry brambles can overgrow the outlet quickly.
“Interesting note: This area was once the site for Nike’s Corporate Headquarters, but never materialized and is now home to 3/4 acre of community gardening space. Another interesting note: I talked with a hydrologist who was gathering data on the wells for the city, it’s their backup water supply, though rarely used. He said the water should be of the highest quality as the aquifer originates from the Southwest side of Mt Hood, traveling 400′ underground before coming above in Wilsonville. He also stated that the water is melt water from snowpack as the temperatures are colder in the summer and warmer in the winter months. I drank from it daily for 6 months and my health improved daily.” – Alec
Thanks for getting back to me Todd! That's too bad, I was hoping this would be the spring I get my water from. Do you know if there are any other springs within the Portland, OR area, or within a 30 – 50 mile or so radius of Portland?
I just moved here from Illinois (on July 14, 2010) and it would be cool to find a clean, local spring to get drinking water from.
Are there any other springs in the area that you know of?
Anyone have any personal experience with the spring at “Canyon Creek Park”?
Dominik, I did not pursue that spring based on the response I got below when I further asked about it.
Todd,
I apologize for not getting back to you earlier. I talked with the Natural Resources Manager and he said that the water from the spring at Canyon Creek Park will be difficult to identify because it is slowly seeping from the ground below. The area does have farm land that surrounds it and may not be safe to drink.
Because of that response, I chose not to pursue that spring any further.
So I guess this could be considered an artesian well? I was under the impression that spring was the reason the well existed there. The source you are describing sounds like the right one. The aquifer comes off Mt. Hood as a geologist told me. Use vessels to fill larger container to avoid the mossy/algae substance on the rocks.
We get our water every week from the Spring that is on Highway 26 just 40 minutes west of Portland. 14 wine bottles and 2 carboys full each time. Great water. Closest one to where I am in Beaverton. Haven't hit any of the other ones around here yet.
Jamie, just checked. This spring is no longer working. There was no water coming out of the pipe and the people working near the spring informed me it no longer runs.
Went to the “spring” today and it definitely wasn’t anything I’d feel comfortable drinking out of. It looked like a sewage run off and the water flow was so low that it ran right threw the algae and moss.
Candy, I think you’re posting in the wrong thread. If you look at the Mile Marker 28 Spring, you’ll find not only the coordinates for it, but also directions.
Hi Todd,
In your response from Lisa she says :Where you could find a cold spring is in Canyon Creek Park on the trail that goes into the wooded area. It is one of the springs that feed Boeckman Creek. Do you know anything about this one?
I have been filling bottles from the pipe past the pump house for the last 3 months — no problems. And do occasionally go to the one off hwy 26.
So there's good news and bad news. The good news is that I found an email address for the Environmental Education Specialist at Wilsonville City Council. I wrote her the email below and got a prompt response. They are below…
Hi Lisa, Thanks for taking a moment to read and answer my question. I was under the impression that just south of Wilsonville Road in Memorial city park there is a cold water spring. From what I know, it is supposed to be south of Kolbe Lane in Memorial City park just past the community gardens and the water pump house. Can you give me any insight into the existance of this cold water spring as I have not had a chance to check for it myself. I appreciate your time and attention to my question.
Response: Thank you for the inquiry. The area you are referring to is tied into the well. It has been fed from the well for a long enough time that it has become permanently filled with water. Where you could find a cold spring is in Canyon Creek Park on the trail that goes into the wooded area. It is one of the springs that feed Boeckman Creek.
So there it is. Apparently the “spring” in Wilsonville is really just run-off from the well that is located fifty yards north. That's not to say that the water is bad, by any means, just that it's not a natural spring.
I visited this site today and was a little confused. I parked right by the pump house for the well and walked about a hundred yards or less to the first set of cat tails on the right just before entering the woods. The only water supply I saw was coming from a black pipe about six to eight inches long and twelve inches in diameter. It ran directly away from the pump house which makes me think it was an over flow or something from the building. Also, inside the pipe was a spongy substance only under the water line that was yellowish on top and then turned to light and eventually dark green closest to the pipe. I don't know if all this is natural or what, but if anybody has any insight i would love to hear it. Maybe I just found the wrong source or something… Also got some pictures but don't know how to share them here…
I discovered what everyone else has discovered at this site. I contacted the Wilsonville Public Utilities and was told over the phone that this spring has been capped.
Looks to me like , the pump house may be responsible for rerouting the water. With all the water contracts going on with the city water treatment, it may be that a publicly owned water source is being privatized, and I believe this would be illegal and possibly a class action lawsuit by the public. A non partial hydrologist should get out there to check it out. If so, it’s theft of public water bu the city.
The last Post is correct, this spring dried up last fall (2012), and has not returned. I maintained the path to it (cut the blackberries back etc.) but for some reason it stopped flowing. The earth mother is changing.
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
Do you have info you'd like to add to the main spring description or perhaps a more accurate gps coordinate?
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Wilsonville Community Spring, Wilsonville, OR
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I know a spring in Wilsonville. If you would like to find out more contact me erloitz@aol.com
Thanks for getting back to me Todd! That's too bad, I was hoping this would be the spring I get my water from. Do you know if there are any other springs within the Portland, OR area, or within a 30 – 50 mile or so radius of Portland?
I just moved here from Illinois (on July 14, 2010) and it would be cool to find a clean, local spring to get drinking water from.
Are there any other springs in the area that you know of?
Anyone have any personal experience with the spring at “Canyon Creek Park”?
Appreciate any feedback that anyone might have!
Thanks!
Dominik
Dominik,
I did not pursue that spring based on the response I got below when I further asked about it.
Todd,
I apologize for not getting back to you earlier. I talked with the Natural Resources Manager and he said that the water from the spring at Canyon Creek Park will be difficult to identify because it is slowly seeping from the ground below. The area does have farm land that surrounds it and may not be safe to drink.
Because of that response, I chose not to pursue that spring any further.
Hey Todd,
Just wondering, did you ever get a chance to confirm the well location in “Canyon Creek Park”?
Thanks!
Dominik
So I guess this could be considered an artesian well? I was under the impression that spring was the reason the well existed there. The source you are describing sounds like the right one. The aquifer comes off Mt. Hood as a geologist told me. Use vessels to fill larger container to avoid the mossy/algae substance on the rocks.
There has been some development in this area. The spring can be found behind the fenced dog park. However, it is not currently running.
How about just posting it up here so everyone can benefit instead…?
We get our water every week from the Spring that is on Highway 26 just 40 minutes west of Portland. 14 wine bottles and 2 carboys full each time. Great water. Closest one to where I am in Beaverton. Haven't hit any of the other ones around here yet.
Where on hwy 26? I’m in the Bethany area.
Drove to this one today and it is no longer there. Through all the blackberries and cattails, the concrete is dug up and the pipe is no longer there.
Like this place! Thx
any suggestions for a new visitor ?
Curious if anyone has checked this lately? Would love to go there soon, but don’t want to drive out there if it’s a failed mission 🙂
Jamie, just checked. This spring is no longer working. There was no water coming out of the pipe and the people working near the spring informed me it no longer runs.
Went to the “spring” today and it definitely wasn’t anything I’d feel comfortable drinking out of. It looked like a sewage run off and the water flow was so low that it ran right threw the algae and moss.
Could someone be more specific about the location on Hwy 26?
Candy, I think you’re posting in the wrong thread. If you look at the Mile Marker 28 Spring, you’ll find not only the coordinates for it, but also directions.
Hi Todd,
In your response from Lisa she says :Where you could find a cold spring is in Canyon Creek Park on the trail that goes into the wooded area. It is one of the springs that feed Boeckman Creek. Do you know anything about this one?
I have been filling bottles from the pipe past the pump house for the last 3 months — no problems. And do occasionally go to the one off hwy 26.
I asked about that one and the response is below…
So there's good news and bad news. The good news is that I found an email address for the Environmental Education Specialist at Wilsonville City Council. I wrote her the email below and got a prompt response. They are below…
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for taking a moment to read and answer my question. I was
under the impression that just south of Wilsonville Road in Memorial
city park there is a cold water spring. From what I know, it is
supposed to be south of Kolbe Lane in Memorial City park just past the
community gardens and the water pump house. Can you give me any
insight into the existance of this cold water spring as I have not had
a chance to check for it myself. I appreciate your time and
attention to my question.
Response: Thank you for the inquiry. The area you are referring to is tied into the well. It has been fed from the well for a long enough time that it has become permanently filled with water. Where you could find a cold spring is in Canyon Creek Park on the trail that goes into the wooded area. It is one of the springs that feed Boeckman Creek.
So there it is. Apparently the “spring” in Wilsonville is really just run-off from the well that is located fifty yards north. That's not to say that the water is bad, by any means, just that it's not a natural spring.
I visited this site today and was a little confused. I parked right by the pump house for the well and walked about a hundred yards or less to the first set of cat tails on the right just before entering the woods. The only water supply I saw was coming from a black pipe about six to eight inches long and twelve inches in diameter. It ran directly away from the pump house which makes me think it was an over flow or something from the building. Also, inside the pipe was a spongy substance only under the water line that was yellowish on top and then turned to light and eventually dark green closest to the pipe. I don't know if all this is natural or what, but if anybody has any insight i would love to hear it. Maybe I just found the wrong source or something… Also got some pictures but don't know how to share them here…
I went out there today and the pipe is still dried up. 11/22/2016
I discovered what everyone else has discovered at this site. I contacted the Wilsonville Public Utilities and was told over the phone that this spring has been capped.
As of yesterday, pipe is there, but only a drip, and does not look safe to drink.
I was there today with my husband, and while the pipe is still there, there is no water. It was just a very slow drip. Very disappointing 🙁
Gregg – You were looking in the wrong spot, the pipe is still there.
I went and checked it out last weekend and it is sadly, still dried up.
Looks to me like , the pump house may be responsible for rerouting the water. With all the water contracts going on with the city water treatment, it may be that a publicly owned water source is being privatized, and I believe this would be illegal and possibly a class action lawsuit by the public. A non partial hydrologist should get out there to check it out. If so, it’s theft of public water bu the city.
The last Post is correct, this spring dried up last fall (2012), and has not returned. I maintained the path to it (cut the blackberries back etc.) but for some reason it stopped flowing. The earth mother is changing.