Rock Creek (Mosier) is NOT a latrine.

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 50 Posts Mosier, Oregon

Several men are using shrubbery and the actual mouth of Rock Creek for relieving their urine incontinency. In plain language, they are pissing in a public park. It's illegal. And there is no reason for this. There are only excuses, because...

1) There is a toilet on the south end of the parking lot. No, it's not going to be relocated.
2) The Columbia River is huge. It can handle your piss, without puting others at risk. There are no Candiru in the Columbia.
3) Your individual convenience does not come close to outweighing the rights of everybody else in the Commons to good health and dignity. Not even in this Golden Age of Narcissism.

Some people use the shallows (relatively slack water) for launching and landing their wind/water contraptions. It is not hygienic/sanitary for them to wade in your urine. They have a right to use that section without wading through piss-water. And you are not fooling anybody by sneaking in a piss there; you're making men look worse than they already look (in the eyes of women especially). Mosier is not Paris or NYC. It's not sexy.

Finally, I am not sure how it would affect the ecosystem (a concentration of dehydrated piss that eventually makes it into the creek, however gradually or briefly). But I say defaulting to consideration and caution (i.e. NOT pissing into the surrounding ground or stream bed) for the creatures (including salmon) that live and breed in Rock Creek is respectful and safe for them. I know of no studies showing that concentrated urea benefits stream ecosystems.

Over 90% of dog owners are responsible and pick up their dogs' turds, rather than kicking them into the creek (actually observed; this is just wrong) for virtually immediate dehydration, disintegration, and eventual rehydration and distribution into the creek and river. Sure, it's not the same as piss (poop is worse; it's been studied). I mention this because picking up squishy steaming-hot dog turds requires significant effort and tolerance. If they can pick up turds, you CAN easily pee someplace else besides the creek and creek shore. Think about other people and creatures. Try harder. You can do better. You're missing only 10 minutes of recreation time max. Your dopamine hit can wait a little bit. You'll be OK. And you will gain the respect of others and improve your own self-respect.

*If you are having trouble with urine continency, I recommend seeing your doctor soon. It could be a sign of a problem related to your prostate gland. But, again, this is no reason (and only an excuse!) for pissing in public.