Science spoils the party. Contrary to Andy's allegation, pee is not sterile. Like sh!t, it is a bodily waste product. It is high in nitrogen, and turns to ammonia if left sitting around a while. It also carries pathogens (disease causing germs) from your last one night stand or other kinds as well, like the common cold and flu. Added to water, pee is a pollutant - or a form of fertilizer, if you will. Generally speaking, it isn't gonna' kill anybody, at least in small doses. But when a city the size of Portland or Seattle, or even a smaller one like Olympia, pees in a river, it's very bad news for the aquatic life therein. That would include salmon and steelhead.

You may find that peeing in the river is convenient, but ask yourself if doing so is consistent with your personal environmental values. And if you choose to pee in rivers, please don't complain about rivers too polluted to support fish populations.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.