Klickitat River
Encyclopedia
The Klickitat River is a tributary of the Columbia River
, approximately 75 miles (120.7 km) long, in south-central Washington in the United States
. It drains a rugged plateau
area on the eastern side of the Cascade Range
northeast of Portland, Oregon
. In 1986, 10 miles (16.1 km) of the river were designated Wild and Scenic
from the confluence with Wheeler Creek, near the town of Pitt, to the confluence with the Columbia River.
, in a remote corner of the Yakama Indian Reservation
. It flows southeast, then generally south across the Lincoln Plateau. It enters northern Klickitat County, and meander
s south through steep canyons. It enters the Columbia from the north at Lyle
, approximately 10 miles (16 km) north-northwest of The Dalles, Oregon
. State Route 142
follows the lower 15 miles (24.1 km) of the river. The river is bridged by State Route 14 at its mouth.
follows the river on an abandoned railroad grade from near Goldendale, Washington to the Columbia River
just west of The Dalles, Oregon, nearly 30 miles (48.3 km).
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. 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...
, approximately 75 miles (120.7 km) long, in south-central Washington in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It drains a rugged plateau
Plateau
In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...
area on the eastern side of the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
northeast of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. In 1986, 10 miles (16.1 km) of the river were designated Wild and Scenic
National 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...
from the confluence with Wheeler Creek, near the town of Pitt, to the confluence with the Columbia River.
Course
The Klickitat River rises in the high Cascades near Tieton Peak, in northwestern Yakima CountyYakima County, Washington
Yakima County is the second largest county by area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is named after the Yakama tribe of Native Americans. In the 2010 census, its population was 243,231...
, in a remote corner of the Yakama Indian Reservation
Yakama Indian Reservation
The Yakama Indian Reservation is a United States Indian reservation located on the east side of the Cascade Mountains in southern Washington. It is the homeland of the Yakama tribe of Native Americans....
. It flows southeast, then generally south across the Lincoln Plateau. It enters northern Klickitat County, and meander
Meander
A meander in general is a bend in a sinuous watercourse. A meander is formed when the moving water in a stream erodes the outer banks and widens its valley. A stream of any volume may assume a meandering course, alternately eroding sediments from the outside of a bend and depositing them on the...
s south through steep canyons. It enters the Columbia from the north at Lyle
Lyle, Washington
Lyle is a census-designated place in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. The population was 530 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, approximately 10 miles (16 km) north-northwest of The Dalles, Oregon
The Dalles, Oregon
The Dalles is the largest city and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The name of the city comes from the French word dalle The Dalles is the largest city and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The name of the city comes from the French word dalle The Dalles is...
. State Route 142
Washington State Route 142
State Route 142 is a long state highway located entirely in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. The highway begins at an interchange with SR 14 in Lyle and travels northeast to an interchange with U.S...
follows the lower 15 miles (24.1 km) of the river. The river is bridged by State Route 14 at its mouth.
Recreation
The Klickitat TrailKlickitat Trail
The Klickitat Trail is a long rail trail that follows the Klickitat River in southern Washington in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The cycling and hiking trail offers spectacular river and canyon views throughout its length...
follows the river on an abandoned railroad grade from near Goldendale, Washington to the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. 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...
just west of The Dalles, Oregon, nearly 30 miles (48.3 km).
See also
- List of Washington rivers
- 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...
- List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers
External links
- Wild and Scenic Klickitat River - National Wild and Scenic Rivers System