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Columbia River
- Location & Contact Information
- Address: USA/Canada
- Telephone Number: +
- Official Website: []
- Overview
Columbia River (known as Wimahl or Big River to the Chinook-speaking natives who lived on its lowermost reaches) is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is named after the Columbia Rediviva, the first ship from the western world known to have traveled up the river. It stretches from British Columbia through Washington state, forming much of the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The river is 1243mi long, and its drainage basin is .Measured by the volume of its flow, the Columbia is the largest river flowing into the Pacific from North America and is the fourth-largest river in the U.S. The river's heavy flow, and its large elevation drop over a relatively short distance, give it tremendous potential for the generation of electricity. It is the largest hydroelectric power producing river in North America with fourteenhydroelectric dams in the U.S. and Canada, and many more on various tributaries.The Columbia and its tributaries are home to numerous anadromous fish, which migrate between fresh water streams and the Pacific Ocean. These fish—especially the various species of salmon—have been a vital part of the river's ecology and the local economy for thousands of years.The Columbia has been heavily developed to serve human purposes since the arrival of numerous American and European settlers in the 19th century. The development, commonly referred to as taming or harnessing of the river, includes dredging for navigation by larger ships; the construction of dams for power generation, irrigation, navigation, and flood control; nuclear weapons research and production; and the generation of nuclear power. These projects have come into conflict with ecological conservation numerous times, impacting fish migration and resulting in industrial pollution.[1]
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