Page:National Waterways A Magazine of Transportation, Volume 1.pdf/37

26 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.

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.