Portland's Popular Fountains

How many fountains does Portland have?
The Portland Water Bureau maintains 17 decorative fountains (not including our world famous Benson Bubblers).

What are the best fountains for swimming in?
You can't actually swim in any of the fountains, per se, but you can splash around in them. The most popular ones for doing that are Salmon Street Springs (SW Portland) , Jamison Square (NW Portland), Holladay Park Fountain (NE Portland), and McCoy Fountain (North Portland).

Is the water safe to drink?
Not unless you like drinking swimming pool water! Our fountains have about as much chlorine as public swimming pools.

Don't they waste water?
No. To conserve water, most of our fountains recycle / reflow the water (another reason not to drink it).

How often are the fountains cleaned?
The fountains are cleaned and maintained regularly.

What time are the fountains open (turned on)?
Most fountains operate spring through fall from 6:30 am to 8 pm. The fountains are turned off in winter, and when they require maintenance and repairs.

Are they safe to play in?
We do not have lifeguards at any of our fountains, and people should use caution when splashing around. This particularly applies to children. Slippery surfaces, rapidly moving water, and pools of water require careful attention to ensure safe fun.

Where can I find more information about Portland's fountains?
The Portland Water Bureau created a self-guided tour of downtown Portland's fountains. You can download it here.

Information Courtesy of Sarah Bott, Sr. Community Outreach & Information Representative for the Portland's Water Bureau and Portland Parks and Recreation.