National Waterways/Volume 1/The Mighty River of the West
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THE MIGHTY RIVER OF THE WEST
By J. N. Teal
MR. TEAL, who is a prominent attorney of Portland, Oregon, represents before the Nation the interests of the Pacific Northwest in many capacities, and stands preeminently high as an advocate of waterway development. His special interest is, of course, in his own section and he writes with a knowledge born of close association with the Columbia River and the wonderful valley it drains. He also talks interestingly of Willamette and Snake Rivers.
THE Columbia River, the second largest river in the United States, forms the boundary line for a considerable distance of the States of Oregon and Washington. It has a length of about 1200 miles and a drainage area of 250,000 square miles.
The Willamette River enters the Columbia River 102 miles from the sea and the Snake River 328 miles from the sea. The Columbia and Snake Rivers, with their tributaries, drain the great Inland Empire, from British Columbia on the north, and the Rocky Mountains on the east. The Willamette River drains the valley lying between the Coast Range and Cascade Mountains in western Oregon.
The Columbia River is not only one of the chief harbors of the coast, but is a waterway important to the States of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and to a considerable portion of southwestern British Columbia. The total navigable waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries aggregate 2136 miles.
The region drained by the Columbia River and its tributaries includes the rich and productive sections of the States of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, lying east of the Cascade Mountains. It is now producing about 90,000,000 bushels of wheat and other cereals per annum, thousands of car-loads of fruit, hay and vegetables, live stock, precious metals, in fact, natural products of all kinds. Yet its development is but in its infancy.
This great river and its tributaries should be the burden bearer of the products of this vast empire. It should not only control rates, but be an instrument in constant use in the actual work of transportation. While improved to but a limited extent, its use has had a profound effect on freight rates.
Before the completion of the canal and locks at the Cascades of the Columbia, the freight rate on sugar, Portland to the Dalles, was $6.20 per ton; now it is $2.90 per ton. Rates on other commodities were affected in a like degree. This is of course a much greater difference than would ordinarily result from unobstructed water transportation, but of its effect on rates generally when used, there can be no doubt.
Notwithstanding the difficulties of operation by reason of transfers, etc, on the upper Columbia, the Open River Transportation Company has for a number of years been operated as an independent boat line running steamboats between Portland and Lewiston on Snake River and Priest Rapids in the Columbia. Through the operation of this line (notwithstanding the very adverse conditions) not only important rate reductions have been secured but improved rail service as well. Last year nearly 2,000,000 pounds of wool was transported by this line from points as far up the river as Lewiston and even above that point to Portland and thence by sea to Boston at much lower rates than the rates by rail.
The grandeur of the Columbia River and its awe-inspiring scenery has been the inspiration of the poet and descriptive writer. The fertility of the country drained by it would fill volumes, but its use as a transportation agency has been largely overlooked by the writers in their admiration of its charms and beauty. The great river itself, the snowclad mountain peaks, the wild Gorge of the Columbia, and the waterfalls dashing from mountain heights, the stately palisades, the great forests, so impress one, the practical side is apt to be overlooked.
THE COLUMBIA RIVER JETTY
THIS MIGHTY STREAM OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST IS THE SECOND LARGEST OF OUR RIVERS. IT IS 1300 MILES LONG AND HAS A DRAINAGE AREA OF OVER 250,000 SQUARE MILES.
The rivers of the West are in constant use and, properly improved, will be of inestimable public benefit. Even now, and as has been the case for years, steamboats ply the waters of the Columbia and Willamette in every direction and this fleet handles in the aggregate an enormous tonnage. Between Portland and the sea there is a constant procession of deep sea ships flying the flag of every nation. Portland is the largest lumber and wheat shipping port in the United States. It has commercial relations with every nation under the sun. The coast tonnage, to and from Portland, is very great, and its people appreciate the importance of the use of water as a transportation agency. Portland has spent millions of dollars, raised by taxation, in the work of improving the river between that city and the sea, and this work is in constant progress. It maintains a dry dock, pilotage and towage service both at the mouth of and on the river from Portland to Astoria by the sea. It is also constructing and establishing a municipal dock and terminal system of the most modern type. The Columbia River might be said to be one great harbor through which a great part of the tonnage of the Inland Empire will naturally flow, on or along the water grades from far-away British Columbia, on its way to the markets of the world.
In this work of distribution—of such vital interest to the producers of the Northwest—the mighty river of the West, the Columbia of song and story, will necessarily play a momentous part. The following is a brief statement of improvements now in progress on the Columbia River and its tributaries.
In April, 1885, the construction of a jetty on the south side of the entrance to the Columbia River began. The south jetty is now practically completed and the low water channel depth has increased from 21 to 28 feet. Plans have been approved for the construction of a jetty on the north side of the river entrance, which will create a depth of 40 feet at mean low tide.
On the Oregon shore of the Columbia, about 14 miles from the sea, is situated the historic city of Astoria, of 15,000 population and one of the oldest cities on the coast. Astoria has a fine harbor and is making plans for extensive waterfront improvements.
From the mouth of the Columbia to the Willamette River, a distance of 102 miles, the river is wide and deep, with only a few shoals. Vessels drawing 28 feet of water have no difficulty in reaching Portland even at low-water stages. Ocean navigation turns into the Willamette River to reach Portland, Oregon, which is situated on the Willamette River about 12 miles above its mouth, and occupies both banks. The work of improvement of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers below Portland has been done partly by the United States and partly by local interests working under a corporation known as the Port of Portland and on funds secured by taxation of property situated within the limits of the port.
Above Portland the Willamette River, which drains the rich valley of the same name, is navigable for light-draft river boats for a distance of about 120 miles. At Oregon City, about 16 miles above Portland, are the Willamette Falls. This obstruction is overcome by locks. Throughout the Willamette Valley are a number of thriving cities, including Salem, the capital of the State.
Continuing up the Columbia River from the mouth of the Willamette, the river is navigable for ocean-going vessels to Vancouver, Washington, a city of 10,000 inhabitants, on the north bank of the Columbia River about 106 miles from the sea.
THE GRANDEUR OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER SCENERY IS UNSURPASSED
Above Vancouver the river is navigable for river steamers to Cascade Locks, a distance of 140 miles from the sea. At this point the river is obstructed by the Cascades of the Columbia. The obstruction is overcome by a short canal with two locks. Above the Cascades for nearly 50 miles the river has a small fall and little current. River steamers with a draft of 8 feet can navigate this pool at the lowest stage to the foot of The Dalles Rapids, to the City of The Dalles with a population of about 5,000, 196 miles from the sea. Here for a distance of about 12 miles the river is not navigable on account of rapids and falls. A canal 8½ miles in length is being constructed by the United States along the Oregon shore. Above the Celilo Falls the river for a distance of several hundred miles has a navigable low-water depth of about 4 feet. The only improvement in progress is that of removing the most dangerous rocks in the channels.
Navigation above Celilo Falls is now limited to the stretch below Priest Rapids, on the Columbia, a distance of about 170 miles, and to Lewiston on the Snake River. From Priest Rapids to the headwaters of the Columbia in British Columbia, there are long navigable stretches separated by rapids. Some of the rapids are navigable at favorable stages and at a few rapids locks will be required. Steps are being taken both in the United States and British Columbia, looking to the cooperation of local interests with the Government of the United States in a plan for the improvement of the river from its headwaters in British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean.
The Snake River enters the Columbia 314 miles above the sea, and is now navigable to the City of Lewiston, Idaho, situated in the center of a rich farming section, a distance of about 165 miles above its mouth. The proper improvement of these rivers taken in connection with power development and irrigation possibilities will make this entire section one of the most attractive and productive territories in the United States.