The Columbia River is one of the most impressive in the country, and it’s the longest river running through the state. The river is a cherished Oregon icon with a rich history. Today, it provides recreation, hydro-electric power, and a shipping channel.
The Columbia River’s source is located in the Rocky Mountain Trench in British Columbia. The river makes its way south across the U.S.-Canada border, and into eastern Washington. It makes a sharp curve near Kennewick, then turns to the west.
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From that point on, the Columbia makes its way along the Oregon/Washington border until it reaches the Pacific Ocean. It’s a 309-mile journey.
Larry Gloth/Moment collection via Getty Images While the Columbia is the longest river to run through the state, the John Day River, at 284 miles, is the longest river completely contained within Oregon’s borders.
The Columbia River Gorge is one of Oregon’s most beautiful spots. As much as 4,000 feet deep, the gorge was carved out by the river over a period of time spanning more than 12 million years.
Gary Weathers/Getty Images Most of the erosion took place fairly quickly, during the last ice age, when tremendous floods raged and floodwaters reached as high as the gorge’s Crown Point!
Humans have inhabited the gorge for at least 13,000 years, and at least one salmon-fishing area is known to have supported humans for 10,000 years.
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Salmon fishing was a booming industry along the river for many years, and the Columbia River is still a popular spot for salmon fishing, but the creation of several dams along the river affected the salmon population.
JerryPDX/iStock via Getty Images Visitors at the Bonneville Dam can see the fish ladders and can even view fish swimming around. As many as 250,000 fish pass through this ladder between August and November every year. Learn more about the Bonneville dam in our article here.
Dams along the Columbia River in Oregon include the Bonneville Dam, The John Day Dam, and The Dalles Dam.
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Some pretty impressive bridges span the Columbia River. The Bridge of the Gods spans 706 feet and takes vehicles from Cascade Locks, OR to North Bonneville, WA.
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The Astora-Megler Bridge is the longest continuous truss bridge in the country, and it sits just east of where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.
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Conditions are extremely hazardous in the spot where the Columbia pours 265,000 cubic feet of water per second into the Pacific. It’s known as The Graveyard of the Pacific, and the Peter Iredale is just one of 2,000 ships that have wrecked here over the years.
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There are tons of great places to visit along the Columbia River, from the little town of Astoria all the way east through the Columbia River Gorge. What are some of your favorite spots along the river? Tell us in the comments!
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Larry Gloth/Moment collection via Getty Images
While the Columbia is the longest river to run through the state, the John Day River, at 284 miles, is the longest river completely contained within Oregon’s borders.
Gary Weathers/Getty Images
Most of the erosion took place fairly quickly, during the last ice age, when tremendous floods raged and floodwaters reached as high as the gorge’s Crown Point!
Dave Allen/E+ Collection via Getty Images
JerryPDX/iStock via Getty Images
Visitors at the Bonneville Dam can see the fish ladders and can even view fish swimming around. As many as 250,000 fish pass through this ladder between August and November every year. Learn more about the Bonneville dam in our article here.
tfoxfoto/iStock via Getty Images
Ahorica/iStock via Getty Images
Andrea Person/EyeEm Collection via Getty Images
thyegn/iStock via Getty Images
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