Columbia River
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is this river and where does it flow?
The Columbia is the largest river of the Pacific Northwest of North America, about 2,000 km long. It starts from Lake Columbia in British Columbia, Canada, and flows into the Pacific Ocean near the city of Astoria, Oregon.
Through which countries and states does its path pass?
First, almost 500 km across Canada, then through the American states of Washington and Oregon. For the last more than 300 km, it works as a natural border between these two states.
What is worth seeing on the way?
The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon where the river cuts through the Cascade Mountains between Te Dells and Portland. The place is picturesque and well-known among windsurfers, because the wind here blows almost according to schedule.
Why are there so many dams on it?
There are fourteen hydroelectric power stations on the main channel, among them the giant Grand Coulee and Bonneville. Together, they provide more than 44 percent of all US hydropower - the river actually supplies half of the region with electricity.
What about salmon and indigenous peoples?
The river once carried between 10 and 16 million salmon each year, feeding the local Native American peoples for thousands of years. Dams have severely cut these shoals, and the tribes still retain a treaty right to fish.
