White Salmon River
Encyclopedia
The White Salmon River is a river flowing into the Columbia River Gorge
, originating on the slopes of Mount Adams
. The lower portion of the river is in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and some of the upper sections are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. The principal tributaries of the White Salmon River include Trout Lake and Buck, Mill, Dry, Gilmer, and Rattlesnake Creeks.
. The designation cover 29 miles (46.7 km) of the river, from its confluence with Gilmer Creek to its confluence with Buck Creek. On August 2, 2005, a further portion of the river - from its headwaters to the boundary of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- was designated Wild and Scenic. 6.7 miles (10.8 km) of the river are considered "wild" and 22.3 miles (35.9 km) are considered "scenic."
. The breach allowed water to flow unimpeded on the White Salmon River for the first time in nearly a century.
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to deep, the canyon stretches for over as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south...
, originating on the slopes of Mount Adams
Mount Adams (Washington)
Mount Adams is a potentially activestratovolcano in the Cascade Range and the second-highest mountain in the U.S. state of Washington.Adams is a member of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, and is one of the arc's largest volcanoes,...
. The lower portion of the river is in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and some of the upper sections are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. The principal tributaries of the White Salmon River include Trout Lake and Buck, Mill, Dry, Gilmer, and Rattlesnake Creeks.
Wild and Scenic
On November 17, 1986, the White Salmon River was designated Wild and ScenicNational Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States.The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of the recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission...
. The designation cover 29 miles (46.7 km) of the river, from its confluence with Gilmer Creek to its confluence with Buck Creek. On August 2, 2005, a further portion of the river - from its headwaters to the boundary of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in southern Washington, USA. With an area of 1.37 million acres , it extends 116 km along the western slopes of Cascade Range from Mount Rainier National Park to the Columbia River. It includes the 110,000 acre Mount St....
- was designated Wild and Scenic. 6.7 miles (10.8 km) of the river are considered "wild" and 22.3 miles (35.9 km) are considered "scenic."
Recreation
The White Salmon River is used by kayakers and rafters all year round. A popular spot to launch a raft or kayak is located off of the Alt Hwy 141 in BZ Corner. The section from BZ Corner to Husum falls is known as the Middle White Salmon. The rapids are for intermediate kayakers and rafters. The section from Husum Falls to Northwestern Lake is referred to as the Lower White Salmon. This section is for beginners. The rafting companies that guide on the White Salmon run from BZ Corner to Northwestern Lake.Condit Dam Demolition
On October 26, 2011, the Condit Dam was intentionally breached as part of the dam's decommissioning by PacifiCorpPacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is an electric power company in the northwestern United States.PacifiCorp has three primary subsidiaries:# Pacific Power is a regulated electric utility with service territory throughout Oregon, northern California, and southeastern Washington.# Rocky Mountain Power is a regulated...
. The breach allowed water to flow unimpeded on the White Salmon River for the first time in nearly a century.
See also
- List of Washington rivers
- List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers
- Condit Hydroelectric ProjectCondit Hydroelectric ProjectCondit Hydroelectric Project was a development on the White Salmon River in the U.S. state of Washington. It was completed in 1913 to provide electrical power for local industry and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as an engineering and architecture landmark.PacifiCorp...
- Tributaries of the Columbia RiverTributaries of the Columbia RiverTributaries and sub-tributaries are hierarchically listed in order from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream. Major dams and reservoir lakes are also noted.-Minor tributaries:* Skipanon River * Lewis and Clark River * Youngs River...