The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest where it rises in the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, and flows northwest and then south into Washington then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state of Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

The river is 1,243 miles long, and its largest tributary is the Snake River. Its drainage basin is roughly the size of France and extends into seven U.S. states and a Canadian province. By volume, the Columbia is the fourth-largest river in the U.S., and it has the greatest flow of any North American river draining into the Pacific. The river's heavy flow and its relatively steep gradient give it tremendous potential for the generation of electricity.

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The Columbia and its tributaries have been central to the region's culture and economy for thousands of years. They have been used for transportation since ancient times, linking the many cultural groups of the region. The river system hosts many species of fish, which migrate between freshwater habitats and the saline Pacific Ocean.

These fish—especially the salmon species—provided the core subsistence for natives; in past centuries, traders from across western North America traveled to the Columbia to trade for fish.

Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area
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The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range. It's 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep with the north canyon walls in Washington State and the south canyon walls in Oregon State.

Recreation includes hiking, mountain biking, windsurfing, camping, fishing, boating, wildlife watching, birding, wildflower viewing, photography, picnicking, rock climbing.

Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. Though Multnomah Falls is grand and popular, all of the falls in the Gorge are special and breathtaking.

Lower Columbia River Water Trail
A 146 mile scenic trail running from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean.

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Sea Kayaks on the Columbia River
Centered in Portland, Oregon, the 450+ members of the Oregon Ocean Paddling Society (OOPS) engage in a rich variety of sea kayak activities. For all ages and skill levels, members participate in paddling trips, educational activities and social events each month.

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