Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
📍 Cascade Locks, OR
Day 35 — waiting to board the Columbia Gorge sternwheeler. This boat was launched in 1983. It was built and operated as a replica of the sternwheelers that worked on the Columbia beginning in the 1850s. It is 145 feet long and weighs 92 tons. The paddlewheel is 17 feet in diameter. We boarded for a brunch experience with mimosas.
While waiting to board, we met this fellow,
And took pictures by these amazing hydrangeas.
First things first, mimosa please! And a peek at the menu of what is on the buffet tables before we get in line.
We were happy that the clouds turned from grey to white.
On Board
On board, we could see the sternwheel turning. It was windy and cold on the deck but I loved it! Escaping the humidity of NC may have had something to do with it…
When I went to the bow of the boat, I could see kite and hydrofoil surfers. We learned the difference between the two is that a kite surfer will make a wake in the water where the hydro surfer will leave the water and fly through the air.
We saw one big barge — the captain said that Portland, Seattle and Vancouver all send their garbage down river to be treated in Roosevelt, WA. Who knew? Roosevelt is one of the largest landfills in the US. If it isn’t garbage, these barges can carry 72 40-foot containers or 144 20-foot containers.
Bonneville Dam
Our route took us near Bonneville Dam.
One of our streamers took this panoramic photo of the dam. Bonneville Lock and Dam consists of several run-of-the-river dam structures that together span the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington. It was a joint venture between the two states and was completed in 1896. The locks enabled large barges of wheat to be transported to the west sides of the states and to be loaded onto ships for export to other countries.
Behind the dam is Lake Bonneville. We could see structures lining the banks and it was explained to us that these were spots where treaty Indians are allowed to net sturgeon.
In the pools above Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day Dams, sturgeon fishing is co-managed with the Columbia River treaty Indian tribes. The catch is shared approximately 50/50 between treaty Indian and non-Indian fishers. Below the dam it is allocated 80% to sport fishery and 20% to the commercial fishery.
Commercial fishermen below Bonneville use gill nets to catch sturgeon. Sport fishermen use rod and reel. Treaty Indian fishermen above Bonneville use gill nets, baited set lines, and rod and reel. Check out the creative structures that allow someone to set out a net (like the fisher person on the “dock” in the picture on the right). I was trying to see if the person fishing was pulling up anything in the net but I never saw anything come up out of the water.
A view from Vista House at Crown Point gives you an idea of the size of the mighty Columbia River. Vista House was built between 1916–1918 on Crown Point, probably the most scenic stop on the Historic Columbia River Highway (not the highway to travel with a trailer!).
We had many clouds but little rain, making for great contrast for pictures.
Fish Hatchery
Next stop, the fish hatchery.
The fish below are sturgeon. They came from the Columbia River. They are a freshwater scavenger fish, eating off the bottom of the river. In 200 million years, their appearance and function have undergone little change. Their head and body are covered with rows of bony plates rather than scales. They grow slowly but attain enormous size. They first spawn around 15 years of age. They can reach upwards of 18 feet and 1,200 pounds in weight. Their meat is delicious and their eggs are harvested for caviar.
Sturgeon range throughout the Columbia River system. The construction of Bonneville Dam and the other dams upstream blocked sturgeon migration. Sturgeon below the Bonneville dam travel up and down the Columbia and even into the ocean, often entering other coastal bays and rivers. Sturgeon migration depends on availability of food and spawning cycles. Sturgeon need fast, flowing water of moderate temperature over rocky bottoms for spawning success. An ideal spawning area is located just several miles below Bonneville Dam.
You can sit and watch them swim around.
You could buy fish food for 25 cents. Below are rainbow trout vying for a snack.
In the aquarium, you could get a better look at the rainbow trout.
More beautiful bronzes… Can’t get enough.
Roll On, Columbia
Roll On Columbia by Woody Guthrie
Green Douglas fir where the waters cut through
Down her wild mountains and canyons she flew
Canadian Northwest to the ocean so blue
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Other great rivers add power to you
Yakima, Snake and the Klickitat too
Sandy, Willamette and Hood River too
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
It’s there on your banks that we fought many a fight
Sheridan’s boys and the blockhouse that night
They saw us in death but never in flight
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Our loved ones we lost there at Cole’s little store
By fireball and rifle, a dozen or more
We won but the Mary and soldiers she bore
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Remember the trial when the battle was won
Wild Indian warriors to the tall timber run
We hung every Indian with smoke in his gun
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Year after year we had tedious trials
Fighting the rapids at Cascades and Dalles
The injuns rest peaceful on Mamaloos Sound
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
At Bonneville now there are ships no more
Waters have risen and drowned the rocks
Shiploads of plenty will steam in the docks
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
On up the river at Grand Coulee Dam
Mightiest thing ever built by a man
To run the great factories for old Uncle Sam
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning darkness to dawn
Roll on, Columbia, roll on