Bateman Island, River island in Columbia River, Washington, US
Bateman Island is a river island situated where the Columbia and Yakima Rivers converge, accessible by causeway from Richland. The landscape features riverside habitats, mixed forests, and open areas that attract diverse wildlife.
William Clark recorded Native Americans drying salmon here during the 1805 Lewis and Clark expedition. The island served as a long-standing hub for indigenous food production and trade networks.
This area held deep significance for local Native American tribes who depended on the salmon runs for survival and trade. The waters remain central to how people understand and use the landscape today.
The island is easily reached by causeway from Richland and offers designated areas for hiking, bird watching, and fishing. Visitors should come prepared for variable weather and wear sturdy shoes for walking along paths and river areas.
The causeway creates a warm water zone that alters salmon and steelhead migration patterns in the Columbia River. This modification of water flow has lasting effects on fish populations throughout the region.
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