Columbia River

Columbia River

The Columbia River is located in the Pacific Northwest, and is the largest hydroelectricity producing river in North America. Around the turn of the 20th century, efforts were made to harness the energy created by the rushing river by building dams and hydroelectric plants. Development of these expanded throughout the century, with the result that the water system produces millions of kilowatts every day. However, the full environmental impact of the dams is still being discovered. Native species, especially the wild salmon that used to thrive in the Columbia River and its tributaries, have declined in numbers dramatically.

Fast Facts

1243 miles long
Begins in British Columbia, Canada, and runs through Washington and Oregon
Over 400 dams in the river system; 14 main dams on the Columbia
Empties to Pacific Ocean
Drains a 259,000 sq. mi. area
Fourth largest river in North America
Dams negatively impact wild salmon populations
The Lewis and Clark Expedition used parts of the river to travel to the Pacific Ocean

Columbia River Ecology

The Columbia River basic has a diverse ecology and is home to geese, falcons, hummingbirds, elk, deer, bear, and sheep. It is also home to 12 species of salmon and steelhead trout.

Categories

Geography | Travel | North American Destinations | Vacation | Outdoor Travel

| View Note History

Also try: Oregon Outdoors | Washington State Outdoors

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Columbia River
Center for Columbia River History: Columbia River
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Columbia Plateau
Washington State Historical Society: Columbia Magazine: Year of Decision on the Columbia River (2005)
Columbia Riverkeeper: The Columbia River in Crisis
Northeast Midwest Institute: Large-scale Ecosystem Restoration Initiatives
Foundation for Water and Energy Education: What Makes The Columbia River Basin Unique And How We Benefit

Columbia River News

Google News: Columbia River
Yahoo! News Search: Columbia River
Oregon Public Broadcasting: The Modern Day Columbia River (2007)
The Dalles Chronicle: Riverkeeper Blasts Hanford Cleanup Work (2007)
Science Daily: Is Nuclear Waste Seeping From Hanford Waste Site To The Columbia River? (2007)

Columbia River History and Background

USGS: The Geologic History of the Columbia River Gorge
Northwest Power & Conservation Council: Columbia River History
University of Washington: The Cascade Episode

Early History

Modern History

The Oregon History Project: Chart of the Lower Columbia River
Center for Columbia River History: Columbia Communities
United States Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration: Historic Columbia River Highway
Golden and District Historical Society: Riverboats

Columbia River Educational Resources

Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, & Technology: Exhibits
Washington State University Vancouver: Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Project
USGS: Laboratory Locations
University of Washington: Columbia Basin Research - School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA): The Columbia River - Introduction

Columbia River Travel

Washington State Parks: Lewis and Clark Along the Columbia River
Northwest Power and Conservation Council: A Guide to Major Hydropower Dams

Columbia River Transportation

Portland International Airport
AffordableTours.com: Columbia River Cruises

Columbia River Activities

Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe: Kayaking
Dan Ponciano Guide Service: Columbia River Fishing
Trails.com: Columbia River Activities

Columbia River Gorge

USDA Forest Service: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Columbia River Gorge Visitors Association: The Gorge & Recreation
Frommers.com: Oregon's Columbia Gorge
Go Northwest: Columbia River Gorge Travel Guide and Directory
Travel Oregon: Explore The Columbia River Gorge
WaterfallsWest.com: Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
GORP: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Scenic Driving

Columbia River Highway

Travel Oregon: The Historic Columbia River Highway
Oregon Parks and Recreation: Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
National Scenic Byways Program: Historic Columbia River Highway

Columbia River Photos and Videos

Google Image Search: Columbia River
Yahoo! Image Search: Columbia River
Live Search Images: Columbia River
Picsearch: Columbia River

Videos

YouTube & Google Video: Columbia River Search
Yahoo! Video Search: Columbia River
Live Search Videos: Columbia River
Film Baby: Source To The Sea: The Columbian River Swim (Time:02:07)

Columbia River Blogs and Forums

Google Blog Search: Columbia River
Fodor's: Columbia River Cruise Forum
SummitPost.org: Columbia River Gorge -- Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering

Columbia River Organizations and Societies

Columbia River Gorge Commission
Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership
Columbia Riverkeeper
Friends of the Columbia Gorge: New Study Proves Destination Resort is Unnecessary

Columbia River Fun Stuff

USDA Forest Service: Columbia River Gorge Real Time Camera
HatchCam.com: Columbia River Cam
Quinn Mountain: Columbia River Gorge Web Camera Views
Columbia River Maritime Museum: Plan a Visit

Columbia River Books and Merchandise

Google Product Search: Columbia River Merchandise
Amazon.com: Columbia River Books
eBay: Columbia River Merchandise

Related Pages on Mahalo

Snake River | British Columbia | Washington State | Vancouver | Oregon | Portland, OR | Washington State Outdoors | Oregon Outdoors | Columbia River Gorge | Multnomah Falls | Canada

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