Lake Condon, Ancient glacial lake basin in Columbia River region, Oregon.
Lake Condon is a dried basin in the Columbia River region of Oregon that once held water during the Ice Age. The landscape still shows traces of this ancient past through visible sediment layers and scattered boulders on the surrounding slopes.
Massive floods from Glacial Lake Missoula pushed through the region roughly 13,000 to 15,000 years ago, leaving water temporarily in this basin. The geology of the area preserves the marks of these catastrophic events.
The site received its name from Thomas Condon, an Oregon geologist who investigated Ice Age phenomena in the Willamette Valley.
The site is best explored on foot to observe the geological formations and erosion patterns across the landscape. The open terrain provides clear views across the entire basin and surrounding hills.
The Columbia River Gorge functioned as a natural dam that held floodwaters in this basin for several days. This phenomenon allowed massive amounts of sediment to settle, telling the story of these ancient floods today.
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