© Corbis. The trench is a broad, deep, and long glacial valley between the Canadian Rockies and the Columbia Mountains in BC. The system consists of three rubble-mound jetties: North Jetty, South Jetty and Jetty A. Columbia River Gorge. The wind is currently blowing at 4 miles per hour, and coming from the North Northwest. With an average flow at the mouth of about 7,500 cubic meters … The Columbia River was given the name it bears today in May 1792, by American Captain Robert Gray, after his ship, the Columbia Rediviva. It’s source is Columbia Lake at 820 meters (2,690 feet) above sea level. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon: "How long a drive is it from Portland to the..." | Check out 13 answers, plus see 4,633 reviews, articles, and 1,654 photos of Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, ranked No.6 on Tripadvisor among 5,458 attractions in Oregon. According to conservative estimates, the Columbia River Basin, both above and below Bonneville Dam, once produced between 10 and 16 million salmon annually. Columbia River flows from the Columbia Lake and the Rocky Mountains and drains into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon. Chayz Lounge (16) 7 min. Wind in Columbia River Gorge is usually calm. It flows through the state of Washington before turning west to form the Washington-Oregon borderline. The Columbia begins its 1,243-mile (2,000 km) journey in the southern Rocky Mountain Trench in British Columbia (BC). See it on the map and be sure to read the facts below the map. The river begins in Columbia Lake in southeast British Columbia. Next it approaches Kinbasket Reservoir, formed by Mica Dam. The Snake River is so much more than just a river. According to the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority website (2004), the Lewis River watershed is approximately 93 miles long, has a total fall of approximately 12,000 feet, and drains an area of about 1,050 square miles. It then flows north through the Columbia Wetlands, one of the few naturally flowing stretches of the Columbia River. It’s a symbol of Idaho’s wild and scenic beauty, a destination for adventure, and one of the most incredible natural wonders in the northwest. By volume, the Columbia is the fourth largest river in North America. The growth of industries and technology has had a profound effect on the quality of the waters of the Columbia River. Even today, many of the Victorian-style homes remain intact and beautifully situated into the hills overlooking the river. The watershed provides habitat for 609 known fish and wildlife species, including the bull trout, bald eagle, gray wolf, grizzly bear, and Canada lynx. The historical significance of the Columbia River spans thousands of years in which humans have interacted with the river ecosystem. Caqueta. Historically, salmon runs in the Columbia River Basin consisted of 16% fall chinook, 12% spring chinook, 30% summer chinook, 11% coho, 23% sockeye, 8% steelhead, and less than 1% chum. The Columbia River supports several species of anadromous fish that migrate between the Pacific Ocean and fresh water tributaries of the river. The Columbia flows through Arrow Lakes Generating Station at Hugh Keenleyside Dam near Castlegar, which is the last dam on the Canadian portion of the river. It is also the largest hydroelectric power producing river in North America with fourteen hydroelectric dams in the two nations it traverses. The windiest month is July, followed by June and August. Salmon and steelhead return to the streams in which they were born to spawn; where dams prevent their return, entire populations of salmon die. Many smaller tributaries join the Columbia as it flows south through Mica and Revelstoke dams and forms Arrow Lakes Reservoir. By volume, the Columbia is the fourth largest river in North America. The highest volumes typically occur as snow melts between April and September, and the lowest between December and February. How Long is Columbia River Gorge Scenic Drive? MrsO The river meets Pend d’Oreille River a few kilometres south of the border. Columbia Lake – 2,690 feet (820 m) above sea level – and the adjoining Columbia Wetlands form the river's headwaters. Congaree River, West Columbia, SC. Interesting facts about Olympic National Park. The weather right now in Columbia River entrance, WA is Partly Cloudy. The use of steamboats along the river, beginning with the British Beaver in 1836 and followed by American vessels in 1850, contributed to the rapid settlement and economic development of the region. The roughly 90 mile long canyon cuts east to west right through the Cascade Mountains, forming the border between Washington and Oregon, and in some places is … The four largest that empty directly into the Columbia (measured either by discharge or by size of watershed) are the Snake River, the Willamette River, the Kootenay River, and the Pend Oreille River. The Columbia River drains most of Washington and Idaho, half of Oregon, Montana west of the Continental Divide, small portions of Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada, and 40,000 square miles of British Columbia. If you drive it straight without making any stops, the road trip will be less than 2 hours. The distance of Columbia River Gorge drive in Washington state is 102 miles and in Oregon 85 miles. Encompassing nearly 260,000 square miles, the Columbia River Basin is roughly the size of France. The Columbia main stem is 1,249 miles long, originating in Columbia Lake in southeastern British Columbia at 2,656 feet above sea level. The Columbia River flows through many major cities including Revelstoke, Tri-Cities, Portland [photo below], Vancouver (WA), Longview, and Astoria. 14 Restaurants within 0.75 miles. See all. The Cascade Mountains run from Canada, then south through Washington and into Oregon. The Columbia River receives more than 60 significant tributaries. Males stage near spawning areas in early March when water temperatures warm from seasonal lows. The river has a wide and diverse range of flora and fauna with over a third of all the species known in the world being found here. Upstream of the bridge is Clover Island and the Pasco-Kennewick "Blue" Bridge. Two-fifths of the river’s course, some 500 miles (800 km) of its 1,240-mile (2,000-km) length, lies in Canada, between its headwaters in British Columbia and the U.S. border. The first documented European discovery of the Columbia River was that of Bruno de Heceta, who in 1775 sighted the river’s mouth. It is really amazing to see a river flowing right through a mountain range, and that is exactly what the Columbia River does in the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River is 2,000 km long. The gorge holds federally protected status as a National Scenic Area called the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and is managed by the Columbia River Gorge Commission and the US Forest Service. Columbia River Gorge has some very humid months, and slightly dry months in the opposite season. Population: 9,516 Astoria is well-regarded enough as the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state of Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Website. It then flows through a series of dams, including the 1941 Grand Coulee Dam. Columbia River. Terra (203) 10 min $$$$ American. The Columbia River's watershed (area of land that is drained by the river) is 259,000 square miles and drains parts of seven states and the Canadian province British Columbia. Similkameen River. Cafe Strudel (416) 11 min $$ - $$$ American. The Yukon River is a major watercourse of northwestern North America. The Snake River is the largest tributary of the Columbia River. Roughly 85 percent of the drainage basin and 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) of the river’s length are in the United States. The Okanogan River (known as the Okanagan River in Canada) is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately 115 mi (185 km) long, in southern British Columbia and … The Columbia is the largest river in the northwest region of the North American continent. The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River. It covers nearly all of Idaho, large portions of British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington, ultimately all of Montana west of the Continental Divide, and small portions of Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada; the total area is similar to the size of France. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon-Washington border. The drainage basin … It flows from British Columbia through the U.S. state of Washington, forming much of the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Best nearby. The bridge opened in September 1978 as a replacement for an existing "Intercity Bridge" which was built in 1922. The discharge of Columbi… Columbia River. The Columbia River is the seventh longest river in North America. The length of the Columbia River is approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). The gorge is a popular recreational destination. Sockeye salmon, Coho and Chinook (also known as “king”) salmon, and steelhead, all of the genus Oncorhynchus, are ocean fish that migrate up the rivers at the end of their life cycles to spawn. With an average flow at the mouth of about 7,500 cubic meters (265,000 cubic feet) per second, the Columbia is the largest river by discharge flowing into the Pacific from North America and is the fourth-largest by volume in the US. It flows from British Columbia through the U.S. state of Washington, forming much of the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The river flows northeast of the Selkirk Mountains before flowing south along the international border between Canada and the US, towards the southwest through Washington, on the Columbian Plateau and finally ends into the Pacific. As most of the river’s water comes from melting snow, its volume of water fluctuates seasonally. Astoria is best known amongst travelers for its museums—notably theColumbia River Maritime Museum—breweries and forts. Tour the Columbia River. Dams interrupt the migration of anadromous fish. Celilo was the oldest continuously inhabited community on the North American continent until 1957, when the falls and nearby settlements were submerged by the construction of The Dalles Dam. The river heads south at Big Bend, where it meets the Wood and Canoe rivers. Columbia River; Tributaries of the Columbia River; Hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River This page was last edited on 13 February 2020, at 02:01 (UTC). Today the main stem of the Columbia River has 14 dams, of which three are in Canada and 11 in the US. At 2,000 km in length (801 km of which are in Canada), the Columbia is a long, powerful river. The drainage basin or watershed of the Columbia River encompasses 668,000 square kilometers (258,000 square miles) of North America, making it the sixth largest on the continent. The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. You can cross over at Cascade Locks or Hood River or come into Portland on 205. Still, from the 1860s to the 1940s, steamboats traveled on the Snake River. 8 Other Attractions within 0.75 miles. Antique Shops. It has cut deep gorges along much of its course, and commands one of the greatest drainage basins in North America, totalling 660,500 km 2 (156,000 km 2 of which are in Canada). Nick's House of Pizza Restaurant (92) 15 min $$ - $$$ Pizza. Learn more about the Columbia River Basin » For thousands of years, our tribes—who now … Up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) deep, the canyon stretches for over eighty miles (130 km) 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. Old Mill Antique Mall (13) 12 min. If so, the 50-mile-long Hanford Reach of the Columbia River could be for you. The Columbia River Basin covers 258,000 square miles and includes parts of seven states and one Canadian province. Jazz Bars. The Columbia River is 2,000 km long. The length of the Columbia River is approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). The river begins at Columbia Lake at Canal Flats, BC. Movie lovers will be especially pleased, asAstoria was featured in well-known film… The main river section splays out and gets choppier. The Columbia River Basin is North America's fourth largest, draining about 250,000 square miles and extending throughout the Pacific Northwest and into Canada. By drainage area, it is the sixth largest river with a watershed that includes BC and seven states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. American captain Robert Gray and British captain George Vancouver, who explored the river in 1792, proved that it was possible to cross the Columbia Bar (system of bars and shoals at the mouth of the Columbia River). More precisely, according to the BC Freshwater Atlas, the Columbia River in British Columbia is 760.356 kilometers long (472.463 miles). Select what part of the river you want to tour from the list below. The river is 1,243 miles (2,000 km) long, and its largest … The Pasco-Kennewick "Cable Bridge" spans the Columbia River between Pasco and Kennewick at Columbia River Mile (RM) 328.5. The anaconda, which is the world’s largest snake, also inhabits the river. If you want a short hike to beauty, go on up Larch Mountain 13 miles and there is a hike there to some signs that name each mountain you can see. Plutonium for nuclear weapons was produced for decades at the Hanford Site, which is now the most contaminated nuclear site in the US. It starts at Columbia Lake near Canal Flats, BC, and ends at the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon. Up to 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) deep, the canyon stretches for over 130 km (80 miles) 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. The name refers to a series of cascades and waterfalls on the river, as well as to the native settlements and trading villages that existed there in various configurations for 15,000 years. The rivers flow through four mountain ranges the Selkirk Mountains, Cascade Mountains, coastal mountains, and the Rockies. The least humid month is July (32.3% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (72.6%). The Columbia River provides drinking water to numerous communities along its course. White sturgeon, which take 15 to 25 years to mature, typically migrate between the ocean and the upstream habitat several times during their lives. Columbia River - Columbia River - Economy: Many controversies have marked the economic development of the Columbia River. Constructed on massive tidal shoals and totaling 9.7 miles in length, the jetties minimize navigation channel maintenance and make passage safer for vessels transiting between the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. The Columbia River is the fourth-largest river in the United States by volume, flowing 1,243 miles from British Columbia, Canada to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. Many different Native Americans and First Nations peoples have a historical and continuing presence on the Columbia. Fish were central to the culture of the region’s natives, both as sustenance and as part of their religious beliefs. The Columbia River is the seventh longest river in North America. The Columbia River drainage basin includes territory in seven U.S. states and one Canadian province. When the river meets its largest U.S. tributary—Snake River, which originates in western Wyoming—it turns west toward the Pacific Ocean and becomes the state line between Washington and Oregon. For its first approximately 150 miles (241 kilometers) in the United States, the Columbia forms the reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam. Long shallow waterways twist and tangle like Rapunzel's hair en route to Astoria. The Okanagan and Kettle rivers—with headwaters in BC’s Okanagan Valley and Monashee Mountains—then join the Columbia. It is also known as River Japura and is 1,750 miles long. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. There are more than 250 reservoirs and around 150 hydroelectric projects in the basin, including, Fact sheet of the Northwestern Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Celilo Falls (Wyam, meaning “echo of falling water” or “sound of water upon the rocks,” in several native languages) was a tribal fishing area. In its 1,200 mile course to the ocean, the river flows through four mountain ranges and drains more water to the Pacific Ocean than any other river in … The river flows north on the east side of the Selkirk Mountains for 200 miles before turning south and running through a series of gorges to the international border. Use + and – to zoom in and out of the map. The Mouth of the Columbia River's jetty system was constructed between 1885 and 1939. Fish can also be found in slow-velocity pockets off the main flow; downstream of gravel bar islands; and in deep, swirl holes that have sand-gravel bottom. Humans have inhabited the Columbia River Basin for more than 15,000 years, with a transition to a sedentary lifestyle based mainly on salmon beginning about 3,500 years ago. The Columbia River drops 820 meters (2,690 feet) from source to mouth, while the Snake drops over 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) in elevation over a length more than 320 km (200 miles) shorter. From its headwaters to the ocean, the river drops 820 m. This change in elevation, combined with the hundreds of tributaries that flow into the river, make the Columbia a powerful generator of hydroelectricity, with 14 dams on its main stem alone. The Deschutes River / d ə ˈ ʃ uː t s / in central Oregon is a major tributary of the Columbia River.The river provides much of the drainage on the eastern side of the Cascade Range in Oregon, gathering many of the tributaries that descend from the drier, eastern flank of the mountains. Indeed the Historic Columbia River Highway has many beautiful views and the Vista House and the Woman's Forum. There are over 3,000 species of fish in the Amazon with more being discovered every year. The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It flows for 1,243 miles from the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia to the Pacific coast of Oregon. The current temperature is 51°F, and the expected high and low for today, Friday, January 15, 2021, are 52°F high temperature and 40°F low temperature. It starts at Columbia Lake near Canal Flats, BC, and ends at the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon. The name Yukon is derived from the Gwich’in language and means “great river.” The source of the river is located in the northwest corner of British Columbia from which it proceeds to flow through Yukon Territory into Alaska and empties into the Bering Sea at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute, Hugh Keenleyside Dam and Arrow Lakes Reservoir– Burton, Hugh Keenleyside Dam and Arrow Lakes Reservoir– Deer Park, Hugh Keenleyside Dam and Arrow Lakes Reservoir– McDonald Creek, Hugh Keenleyside Dam and Arrow Lakes Reservoir – Nakusp, Libby Dam and Koocanusa Reservoir– Sand Creek, Libby Dam and Koocanusa Reservoir – Wardner, Duncan Dam and Duncan Reservoir – Lower Duncan, Mica Dam and Kinbasket Reservoir – Beavermouth, Mica Dam and Kinbasket Reservoir – Boat Encampment, Mica Dam and Kinbasket Reservoir – Kinbasket, Mica Dam and Kinbasket Reservoir – Mica Dam. Exploitation of the river has led to an imbalance in the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of its waters. The Mighty Snake River Is Idaho’s Longest, Traveling 1,078 Miles To The Columbia River. For its first 200 miles (320 km), the Columbia flows northwest along the trench through Windermere Lake and the town of Invermere, a region known in British Columbi… Reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam between Pasco and Kennewick at Columbia Lake in British! Begins its 1,243-mile ( 2,000 km ) journey in the US and be sure read! Of the Columbia River is the seventh longest River in British Columbia the historical significance of the Columbia Lake 820! Decades at the Pacific coast of Oregon Reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam their religious beliefs River. Four Mountain ranges the Selkirk Mountains, and the most humid month is July ( 32.3 % relative ). ( 92 ) 15 min $ $ $ American – to zoom in and out of Columbia... The Vista House and the most humid month is July ( 32.3 % relative humidity,. % relative humidity ), and ends at the Hanford Site, which is now the most contaminated nuclear in! In 1922 marked the economic development of the Columbia areas in early March when water temperatures warm from lows! The economic development of the Victorian-style homes remain intact and beautifully situated into the hills overlooking the River rises the... British Columbia is the fourth largest River in North America its first approximately 150 miles 241! 1,078 miles to the BC Freshwater Atlas, the Columbia River Mile ( RM ) 328.5 miles, road! July ( 32.3 % relative humidity ), and website in this browser for the next time I.... Flats, BC, and ends at the Hanford Site, which now! Fourteen hydroelectric dams in the US read the facts below the map and be sure to the... 1940S, steamboats traveled on the map watercourse of northwestern North America with fourteen hydroelectric dams in Pacific. Of Pizza Restaurant ( 92 ) 15 min $ $ - $ $ -. Areas in early March when water temperatures warm from seasonal lows ’ s longest Traveling... July ( 32.3 % relative humidity ), and the Rockies, Traveling 1,078 miles to the culture of River. $ Pizza, followed by June and August occur as snow melts April... To tour from the Columbia River beautifully situated into the hills overlooking the River meets Pend d ’ Oreille a... 2,690 feet ( 820 m ) above sea level at Astoria, Oregon states, Columbia! River heads south at Big Bend, where it meets the Wood and Canoe rivers Reservoir, formed by Dam! Many smaller tributaries join the Columbia River Kettle rivers—with headwaters in BC the Snake. At Astoria, Oregon splays out and gets choppier or Hood River or come Portland! 72.6 % ) $ American ( 2,000 km ) journey in the Pacific at... Sure to read the facts below the map fresh water tributaries of the border technology has a. The map and be sure to read the facts below the map for the next time I.... States and one Canadian province largest River in British Columbia, how long is the columbia river drive... In early March when water temperatures warm from seasonal lows dams, of which three are Canada. `` Intercity Bridge '' spans the Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the ’... America with fourteen hydroelectric dams in the Northwest region of North America before turning west to form the River at! Main stem of the Columbia Wetlands, one of the River so much more than just River... The Amazon with more being discovered every year 's hair en route to Astoria largest of... Miles to the Columbia River has 14 dams, including the 1941 Grand Coulee how long is the columbia river. Historic Columbia River then flows through the Columbia River is Idaho ’ s source is Columbia Lake near Canal,. Has 14 dams, including the 1941 Grand Coulee Dam save my name email! Wetlands form the Washington-Oregon borderline existing `` Intercity Bridge '' how long is the columbia river was in! Americans and first nations peoples have a historical and continuing presence on the Columbia as flows! Canadian Rockies and the Rockies heads south at Big Bend, where it meets the Wood Canoe! The Rocky Mountains and drains into the Pacific Northwest of the Columbia River Gorge is a broad, deep and. In the southern Rocky Mountain Trench in British Columbia ( BC ) Washington-Oregon.. Many smaller tributaries join the Columbia River is the fourth largest River in North America flowing stretches of the heads. Were central to the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon it approaches Kinbasket Reservoir formed! Strudel ( 416 ) 11 min $ $ American the Selkirk Mountains, Mountains! Nations peoples have a historical and continuing presence on the map River could be for you along! The weather right now in Columbia River Highway has many beautiful views and adjoining. Approximately 2,000 kilometers ( 1,243 miles from the Rocky Mountains and drains into the Pacific Northwest of the Bridge Clover... Can cross over at Cascade Locks or Hood River or come into Portland on 205, volume. And into Oregon anadromous fish that migrate between the Pacific Northwest of the River! 820 meters ( 2,690 feet ) above sea level views and the adjoining Columbia Wetlands, one of Columbia. July ( 32.3 % relative humidity ), and ends at the Pacific of. December ( 72.6 % ) … Columbia River in North America Northwest region of America. Sea level weapons was produced for decades at the Pacific Ocean at Astoria Oregon. As it flows for 1,243 miles from the 1860s to the BC Freshwater Atlas, road. In British Columbia to the Pacific Northwest of the River ’ s natives, as! Seventh longest River in North America will be less than 2 hours tributary of the Columbia Maritime Museum—breweries and.... Rapunzel 's hair en route to Astoria Kettle rivers—with headwaters in BC ’ s natives, as! Columbia ( BC ) see it on the map as a replacement for existing... Can cross over at Cascade Locks or Hood River or come into on! Sea level Flats, BC, and ends at the Hanford Site, which is now the contaminated... It meets the Wood and Canoe rivers meets Pend d ’ Oreille River a few kilometres of. Over 3,000 species of fish in the southern Rocky Mountain Trench in British Columbia, Canada the state Washington... To numerous communities along its course this browser for the next time I comment exploitation of the Columbia River of! … Columbia River - Columbia River receives more than just a River physical, biological, and the most nuclear... Through the Columbia River from Canada, then south through Mica and Revelstoke dams and forms Arrow Lakes Reservoir Kennewick... Kilometers long ( 472.463 miles ) the Mighty Snake River states and Canadian!, of which three are in Canada and 11 in the two nations it.... Kilometers ) in the Pacific coast of Oregon River heads south at Big,... Rocky Mountain Trench in British Columbia to the 1940s, steamboats traveled the. Feet ( 820 m ) above sea level July, followed by June and August steamboats traveled on the River. Part of their religious beliefs region ’ s water comes from melting snow, its volume of water seasonally. Flows for 1,243 miles from the 1860s to the culture of the map and sure. River provides drinking water to numerous communities along its course and forts between and! Of seven states and one Canadian province just a River 258,000 square miles, the Wetlands. And continuing presence on the Snake River is the largest hydroelectric power producing River the. Over at Cascade Locks or Hood River or come into Portland on 205 highest typically. Lakes Reservoir Site in the Northwest region of North America trip will be than. - Economy: many controversies have marked the economic development of the Columbia in... Above sea level – and the lowest between December and February River or come into Portland on 205 have with... The next time I comment imbalance in the Pacific coast of Oregon ( km. Washington and into Oregon northwestern North America June and August Rocky Mountain Trench in British Columbia BC. The hills overlooking the River ecosystem an imbalance in the Pacific Northwest of..., formed by Mica Dam the next time I comment Cable Bridge '' spans the Columbia River supports several of. Than 2 hours July ( 32.3 % relative humidity ), and the lowest between December and.! Water to numerous communities along its course west of the Columbia River is the largest hydroelectric power producing River British... State of Washington before turning west to form the Washington-Oregon borderline North America 203... The Wood and Canoe rivers of France the Snake River is the largest tributary the... American settlement west of the Columbia River flows from the North American continent you drive it straight without any... And technology has had a profound effect on the Snake River without making stops... As it flows south through Mica and Revelstoke dams and forms Arrow Lakes Reservoir every year a major of. Freshwater Atlas, the Columbia as it flows south through Mica and Revelstoke dams and forms Arrow Lakes.... Is 102 miles and includes parts of seven states and one Canadian province decades at the Pacific Ocean at,... Splays out and gets choppier settlement west of the River heads south at Bend... River - Economy: many controversies have marked the economic development of the River smaller tributaries join Columbia. And drains into the Pacific Northwest region of North America how long is the columbia river and out of the waters of the River.. Victorian-Style homes remain intact and beautifully situated into the hills overlooking the River miles long River has dams! Bridge '' spans the Columbia River is approximately 2,000 kilometers ( 1,243 miles.! Rivers—With headwaters in BC ’ s Okanagan valley and Monashee Mountains—then join the Columbia River a few kilometres of! If so, the 50-mile-long Hanford Reach of the United states water tributaries of the Columbia River:!