A4 February 2025 Charbonneau Villager

By TED MAST Charbonneau resident

Back in the mid-1970s , Charbonneau ’ s developer , Willamette Factors , envisioned a lifestyle community on the banks of the Willamette River , complete with a golf course and marina . The original 35 slip marina was built in the late ‘ 70s . The developer ’ s original concept had the dock positioned along the area that is the Edgewater homeowner ’ s association , but the slope was too severe and the current site was chosen to offer better access .

Only a few CCC residents took advantage of it and the Charbonneau Country Club leased it out to be managed by the

The old marina was removed in

2023 .

company that ran the Boones Ferry Marina on the west side of Interstate 5 . They used it as a backup to handle any overflow from its facility . This lease ran for about 25 years and only generated $ 10,000 per year in revenue .

The dock was all wood , old timber and decking and was always high maintenance . It was sort of a blessing in disguise when , during the flood of 1996 , a portion of the dock rose above the pilings and floated off down the river . The marina continued to plug along , never turning a profit . Then , in 2011 , a landslide occurred on the bank and the slide took out the entrance and the gangway . It was completely closed for more than three years .

Racks are added for kayaks and paddleboard storage , among other changes .

In 2015 it was reopened and started bringing in around $ 30,000 per year , but still was not profitable until 2018 . Once the marina could make more than its operational cost , it would be able to contribute to annual reserve contributions . In 2019 rates were increased , adding modest increases to CCC residents and a larger increase to non-residents .

The boathouse at the marina was privately owned . The owner was unsuccessful in his attempt to sell it and it would have cost him $ 40,000 to dismantle and remove it so he offered it to CCC for $ 10,000 . We bought it and currently it is on a five-year lease with the Clackamas County Sheriff ’ s Office and houses one of its patrol boats .

In 2023 the marina underwent a complete removal and replacement with planned reserve study funds . The work was done by KC Marine , installing a much more environmentally sensitive structure built by Wahoo Docks , with features like a non-slip surface and a premium kayak launch spot . Acting on a suggestion by Charbonneau resident John McClain , racks allowing the storage

COURTESY PHOTOS

of 27 kayaks or paddleboards were added . Wave attenuators were installed to help control the wake created by boats using this stretch of river . All of this and the expansion from 35 to 40 slips in the same original footprint cost just over $ 1 million . Ten of these slips will accommodate pontoon boats . Cameras have been added for security and the marina is on the security patrol route . The parking area was expanded and now has space for 17 vehicles plus an area for golf cart parking and a bike rack .

The new facility has seen another modest bump in rates to get closer to market value . It now generates over $ 90,000 in annual revenue . CCC residents pay 26 % less than non-residents . Sign-up time for the April – October 2025 boating season is now . CCC residents get priority access before the general public . See the website or call the office for details . Another feature being offered is an individual pass costing $ 100 for the full season or $ 75 for June-October , plus key deposit . Bring your lawn chair and sit on the dock watching the boats go by or bring the grandkids to fish .

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