White Salmon River
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Short description|American river in the state of Washington}}
{{Infobox river
| name = White Salmon River
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| name_other =
| name_etymology =
| image = White Salmon River, WA.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_caption =
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = USA Washington
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption= Location of the mouth of the White Salmon River in Washington
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = United States
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = Washington
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 = County
| subdivision_name4 = Klickitat, Skamania
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =
| length = {{convert|44.3|mi|km|abbr=on}}{{cite web|author=United States Geological Survey|title=United States Topographic Map|publisher=TopoQuest|url=http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=46.186111&lon=-121.584722&datum=nad83&zoom=4|access-date=January 31, 2013}} River miles are marked and numbered on the relevant map quadrangles.
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location= Underwood, Washington
| discharge1_min = 482 cuft/s
| discharge1_avg = 1,075 cuft/s {{Cite web|url=https://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=14123500&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065|title = USGS Current Conditions for USGS 14123500 WHITE SALMON RIVER NEAR UNDERWOOD, WA}}
| discharge1_max = 2,612 cuft/s
| source1 = Mount Adams Wilderness
| source1_location = Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Klickitat County, Cascade Range
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|46|11|10|N|121|35|05|W|display=inline}}{{cite web|work =Geographic Names Information System|publisher=United States Geological Survey|date=September 10, 1979|url={{Gnis3|1528090}}|title=White Salmon River|access-date=January 29, 2013}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|5381|ft|abbr=on}}Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
| mouth = Columbia River
| mouth_location = Columbia River Gorge near Underwood, Skamania County
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|45|43|43|N|121|31|16|W|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|79|ft|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|400|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = nwsr
| designation1_type = Wild, Scenic
| designation1_date = November 17, 1986
| designation1_number =
}}
}}
The White Salmon River is a {{convert|44|mi|km|adj=on}} tributary of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Originating on the slopes of Mount Adams, it flows into the Columbia Gorge near the community of Underwood. Parts of the river have been designated Wild and Scenic. The principal tributaries of the White Salmon River include Trout Lake and Buck, Mill, Dry, Gilmer, and Rattlesnake Creeks.{{cite web|title=The Volcanoes of Lewis & Clark: April 14, 1806 Columbia River Gorge – Dog Mountain to Major Creek|url=http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/Historical/LewisClark/volcanoes_lewis_clark_april_14_1806.html|publisher=United States Geological Survey|access-date=January 31, 2013}}
Wild and Scenic
In 1986, the lower White Salmon River was designated Wild and Scenic between Gilmer Creek and Buck Creek. In 2005, the upper river between the headwaters and the boundary of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest was added to the designation. The two reaches, which are not contiguous, total {{convert|27.7|mi|km}}, of which {{convert|6.7|mi|km}} are "wild" and {{convert|22.3|mi|km}} are "scenic."{{cite web|title=White Salmon River|url=http://www.rivers.gov/rivers/rivers/white-salmon.php|publisher=National Wild and Scenic Rivers System|access-date=January 31, 2013}} On the upper stretches of the White Salmon River near the Trout Lake Farming Community there are a few irrigation dams on the White Salmon River. These irrigation dams may be full/partial barriers to resident trout populations.
Recreation
The White Salmon River is used for whitewater boating nearly year-round. A popular spot to launch a raft or kayak is the public put-in at the unincorporated community of BZ Corner. The day-use area at the put-in includes parking, restrooms, and toilets. Full day whitewater tours will also take visitors rafting through the former Condit Dam/Northwestern Lake portion of the White Salmon River and to the Columbia River confluence. Guided whitewater trips can be arranged with commercial outfitters with special-use permits for the White Salmon.
Condit Dam demolition
On October 26, 2011, the Condit Dam on the White Salmon River was intentionally breached as part of the dam's decommissioning by PacifiCorp. The breach allowed the river to flow unimpeded for the first time in nearly a century.{{cite web|last=Howard|first=Brian Clark|title=Spectacular Time-Lapse Video of Historic Dam Removal|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/10/111028-condit-dam-removal-video/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029150125/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/10/111028-condit-dam-removal-video/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2011|work=National Geographic Daily News|date=October 28, 2011|accessdate=January 31, 2013}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LxMHmw3Z-U Dam-breaching video] - YouTube
- [https://friendsofthewhitesalmon.org/ Friends of the White Salmon]
- Photo of the river below the dam
- [http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Adams/Maps/map_adams_locale.html USGS map of the area]
- [https://watch.opb.org/video/oregon-field-guide-white-salmon-river-runs-free-breaching-condit-dam/ The White Salmon River Runs Free: Breaching the Condit Dam] Documentary produced by Oregon Field Guide
{{Protected areas of Washington (state)}}{{authority control}}
Category:Rivers of Washington (state)
Category:Wild and Scenic Rivers of the United States
Category:Mount Adams (Washington)
Category:Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Category:Tributaries of the Columbia River