Willamette River, River system in western Oregon, United States
The Willamette River runs northward through western Oregon, creating a broad valley between two mountain ranges where most of the state's cities are located. It joins the Columbia River north of Portland after flowing roughly 300 kilometers.
Different tribes lived in this watershed for over ten thousand years before European settlers arrived in the 1840s and established farms along the banks. Over the following decades, several dams were built for flood control and energy production.
The name comes from a Clackamas village and recalls a time when different tribes fished for salmon and traded along the water. Today, parks and boat ramps line the banks where people walk, fish, or launch small craft.
Paths and viewpoints along the waterway often lie within city parks or near smaller towns, making it easy to reach what you want to see on foot or by bike. Water levels can rise sharply during winter, so it helps to check conditions before visiting.
The watershed produces more runoff per area than most large rivers in the United States, with most water flowing between November and March. During dry summer months, the level drops noticeably and the appearance of the waterway changes dramatically.
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