Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to 4,000 feet (1,300 m) deep, the canyon stretches for over 80 miles (130 km) as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south. The Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area is located in both states.

The gorge is the only water connection between the Columbia River Plateau and the Pacific Ocean. Extending roughly from the confluence of the Columbia with the Deschutes River down to eastern reaches of the Portland metropolitan area, the gorge furnishes the only navigable route through the Cascades. Shipping was greatly simplified after Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam submerged the gorge's major rapids. In 1805, the route was used by the Lewis and Clark Expedition to reach the Pacific.

The gorge today holds federally protected status as a National Scenic Area and is a popular recreational destination.

www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/

www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/forest/documents/GorgeVistas0...