Lake Celilo, body of water
Lake Celilo is a large reservoir on the Columbia River that was formed in 1957 when the Dalles Dam was built. The water stretches about 24 miles long and flows across the border between Oregon and Washington, creating a calm, wide surface that extends across the surrounding landscape.
The reservoir was created in 1957 when the Dalles Dam was built, flooding the area that had been home to the famous Celilo Falls. These falls had been a fishing and trading site for over 11,000 years for multiple Native American tribes before the rapid flooding submerged this cultural site.
The site was a meeting place for Native American tribes for thousands of years, where they gathered to fish for salmon and trade goods. These traditions remain alive today, as local communities continue to fish using traditional methods and honor the history of their ancestors in this place.
The lake offers places for fishing, boating, and walking along the shores. The area is quiet with open landscapes and few large buildings nearby, so visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions and take advantage of local facilities such as picnic spots and boat ramps.
When the Dalles Dam began filling in 1957, Celilo Falls disappeared under rising water in less than five hours. This rapid end to a place that had been a center of life for over 11,000 years left deep emotional marks on many tribal members that persist to this day.
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