I grew up along this river in the Tri-City area and have had occasion to travel along much if its 1,200 mile course from British Columbia to its mouth where it joins the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River and its adjacent territory has a long and storied geologic and human history. More recently it was in large part instrumental in the settlement of the west and particularly the Pacific Northwest. The river was the last leg of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery Expedition which ultimately contributed to the opening up of the Washington and Oregon territory for settlement.
I’ll present the river in a two part diary as it got kind of lengthy. This first part covers the river from its origins in Canada to The Dalles and Celilo Falls Oregon. The second part will cover its last 180 or so miles as it approaches and then meets the Pacific Ocean. I’ve used some of the photos in previous diaries on other topics so some might seem familiar. (here, and here for related diaries.)
As economically important as this river is to the Pacific Northwest today, it was that and much more to untold numbers of First Peoples since the peopling of the Americas perhaps as long ago as 15 to 20 thousands years as they migrated from Asia. Unless these ancient migrants took a coastal or a far inland route, they likely had to cross the Columbia River on their way south. Many stayed for the abundant resources of its waters (salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon) and along its shores and tributaries (elk, deer, bear, beaver, and much more). For those who settled in the vicinity of the river, it was their grocery store as well as their social, cultural and religious center. The two major Indian trading Centers of the Columbia Plateau region were located along the Columbia River - Kettle Falls in the upper Columbia and The Dalles/Celilo Falls in the mid to lower reaches.