Chehalis River (U.S.)
Encyclopedia
The Chehalis River
is a river
in Washington in the United States
. It originates in several forks in southwestern Washington, flows east, then north, then west, in a large curve, before emptying into Grays Harbor, an estuary
of the Pacific Ocean
.
. From there the Chehalis flows north and east, collecting tributary streams that drain the Willapa Hills
and other low mountains of southwestern Washington. The South Fork Chehalis River joins the main river a few miles west of the city of Chehalis
. The Newaukum River
joins the Chehalis River at Chehalis, after which the river turns north, flowing by the city of Centralia
, where the Skookumchuck River
joins. After Centralia, the Chehalis River flows north and west, collecting tributaries such as the Black River
, which drains the Black Hills to the north, the Satsop River
and Wynoochee River
, which drain the southern part of the Olympic Mountains
.
The Wynoochee River joins the Chehalis near Montesano
, after which the Chehalis River becomes increasingly affected by tides and widens into Grays Harbor estuary. The city of Aberdeen
lies at the mouth of the Chehalis River. Just east of Aberdeen, the Wishkah River
joins the Chehalis, and just west, between Aberdeen and Hoquiam
, the Hoquiam River
joins. At this point the river has become Grays Harbor. Before the estuary of Grays Harbor empties into the Pacific Ocean, the Humptulips River
joins.
was closed between exits 68 and 88 because of flooding from the Chehalis River, causing the roadway to be under about 10 feet (3 m) of water. The recommended detour added about four hours and 280 miles (450 km). It was not expected to reopen for several days.
However, upon breaching a dike on Dec. 5, 2007, the water receded quicker than anticipated. Repairs to the roadway are scheduled to occur as soon as possible. Amtrak
train service between Portland, Oregon
and Vancouver, British Columbia was also disrupted. Washington governor Chris Gregoire declared a state of emergency on December 3.
is a river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Washington in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It originates in several forks in southwestern Washington, flows east, then north, then west, in a large curve, before emptying into Grays Harbor, an estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
Course
The Chehalis River begins at the confluence of the West Fork Chehalis River and East Fork Chehalis River, in southwestern Lewis CountyLewis County, Washington
Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of 2010, the population was 75,455. The county seat is at Chehalis, and its largest city is Centralia....
. From there the Chehalis flows north and east, collecting tributary streams that drain the Willapa Hills
Willapa Hills
The Willapa Hills is a geologic, physiographic, and geographic region in southwest Washington. When described as a physiographical province, the Willapa Hills are bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Columbia River to the south, the Olympic Mountains to the north, and the Cascade Range to...
and other low mountains of southwestern Washington. The South Fork Chehalis River joins the main river a few miles west of the city of Chehalis
Chehalis, Washington
Chehalis is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,259 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lewis County.-History:...
. The Newaukum River
Newaukum River
The Newaukum River is a tributary of the Chehalis River in the U.S. state of Washington. It has three main branches, the North Fork, South Fork, and Middle Fork Newaukum Rivers...
joins the Chehalis River at Chehalis, after which the river turns north, flowing by the city of Centralia
Centralia, Washington
Centralia is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 16,336 at the 2010 census.-History:In pioneer days, Centralia was the halfway stopover point for stagecoaches operating between the Columbia River and Seattle. In 1850, J. G. Cochran came from Missouri with his...
, where the Skookumchuck River
Skookumchuck River
The Skookumchuck River is a long river located in southwest Washington, USA. It is a tributary of the Chehalis River and thence to the Pacific Ocean. The Skookumchuck Dam was built in 1970, creating the Skookumchuck Reservoir. The dam provides water supply for the 1400-megawatt Centralia Steam...
joins. After Centralia, the Chehalis River flows north and west, collecting tributaries such as the Black River
Black River (Chehalis River)
The Black River is a river in Thurston County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is approximately long with a drainage basin of about . The Black River's source is Black Lake, located about west of Tumwater...
, which drains the Black Hills to the north, the Satsop River
Satsop River
The Satsop River is a stream in the U.S. state of Washington. It has three main tributary forks, the East Fork, West Fork, and Middle Fork Satsop Rivers. The main stem Satsop River is formed by the confluence of the West and East Forks. The Middle Fork is a tributary of the East Fork...
and Wynoochee River
Wynoochee River
The Wynoochee River is a long river located in the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S. state of Washington. A tributary of the Chehalis River, the Wynoochee River rises in the Olympic Mountains within the Olympic National Park and flows generally south. Its drainage basin is in area...
, which drain the southern part of the Olympic Mountains
Olympic Mountains
The Olympic Mountains is a mountain range on the Olympic Peninsula of western Washington in the United States. The mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are not especially high - Mount Olympus is the highest at - but the western slopes of the Olympics rise directly out of the Pacific...
.
The Wynoochee River joins the Chehalis near Montesano
Montesano, Washington
Montesano is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,976 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Grays Harbor County.-History:Montesano was first settled in 1852 by Isaiah L. Scammon....
, after which the Chehalis River becomes increasingly affected by tides and widens into Grays Harbor estuary. The city of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884. Aberdeen was incorporated on May 12, 1890. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis...
lies at the mouth of the Chehalis River. Just east of Aberdeen, the Wishkah River
Wishkah River
The Wishkah River is a tributary of the Chehalis River, approximately long, in the U.S. state of Washington. The river drains a remote rural area of approximately in Grays Harbor County along the Washington coast north of Aberdeen...
joins the Chehalis, and just west, between Aberdeen and Hoquiam
Hoquiam, Washington
Hoquiam is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington state, United States. The town borders the city of Aberdeen at Myrtle Street with Hoquiam to the west. The two cities share a common economic history in lumbering and exporting but Hoquiam has maintained its independent identity...
, the Hoquiam River
Hoquiam River
The Hoquiam River is a stream in the U.S. state of Washington. It has three main tributaries, the East Fork, West Fork, and Middle Fork Hoquiam Rivers. The main stem Hoquiam River is formed by the confluence of the West and East Forks. The Middle Fork is a tributary of the West Fork.Most of the...
joins. At this point the river has become Grays Harbor. Before the estuary of Grays Harbor empties into the Pacific Ocean, the Humptulips River
Humptulips River
The Humptulips River is a river in Grays Harbor County, Washington, in the United States. Its main tributaries are the East Fork Humptulips River, about long , and West Fork Humptulips River, about long . After the forks join, the main river is approximately 20 miles long.The Humptulips has a...
joins.
December 3, 2007 floods
During the December 2007 Pacific Northwest storms, a twenty-mile (32 km) stretch of Interstate 5Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
was closed between exits 68 and 88 because of flooding from the Chehalis River, causing the roadway to be under about 10 feet (3 m) of water. The recommended detour added about four hours and 280 miles (450 km). It was not expected to reopen for several days.
However, upon breaching a dike on Dec. 5, 2007, the water receded quicker than anticipated. Repairs to the roadway are scheduled to occur as soon as possible. Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
train service between Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
and Vancouver, British Columbia was also disrupted. Washington governor Chris Gregoire declared a state of emergency on December 3.
January 7, 2009 floods
During the January 7, 2009 Pacific Northwest storms, a twenty mile (32 km) stretch of Interstate 5 was closed between exits 68 and 88 because of flooding from the Chehalis River, causing the roadway to be under several feet of water. Since the main east/west mountain passes were also closed during this event, the flooding from the Chehalis river essentially cut off traffic to the Puget Sound area and no detour was available.External links
- Chehalis River Council
- USGS Chehalis River Basin map
- USGS Chehalis River Basin schematic diagram, USGSUnited States Geological SurveyThe United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
, GNISGeographic Names Information SystemThe Geographic Names Information System is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its territories. It is a type of gazetteer...
, USGSUnited States Geological SurveyThe United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
, GNISGeographic Names Information SystemThe Geographic Names Information System is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its territories. It is a type of gazetteer...
, USGSUnited States Geological SurveyThe United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
, GNISGeographic Names Information SystemThe Geographic Names Information System is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its territories. It is a type of gazetteer... - Interstate 5 near Chehalis shut down indefinitely