Cascadia Journal

Celilo Falls as it appeared in October 1933. Oregonian photo.

I have always been fascinated with the history of the Pacific Northwest.  There is so much that has gone on in our region both before and after the appearance of European settlers that is truly interesting.  Over the course of time, we have exploited the resources of our area, and in some ways, we have actually changed the geography of our land.  A striking example of this is a waterfalls on the Columbia River known as Celilo Falls.

For those not in the know, those who are wondering just where on the map they will find Celilo Falls, the answer is that you will need an old map.  In 1957, the construction of The Dalles Dam across the Columbia, and the resulting lake behind the dam, caused the falls to now be under the water.  This was a boon to the industry and the economy of the Pacific Northwest.  It allowed the dam to produce electricity and harness the power of the river.  It helped replace the natural obstructions to shipping and water travel down the Columbia River with easy to use navigation locks.  However, the building of the dam also covered the falls.

Celilo Falls was a traditional fishing location for those native to this area of Cascadia.  They also served as a regional gathering place for local native populations to trade goods and gather for occasions.  Besides, the falls were a wonderful natural feature, and were preferable to the dam and its fish ladders for migrating salmon.

According to the news of 1957, the US Army Corps of Engineers had destroyed the falls in a series of explosions, as a means of facilitating navigation through the area.  One way or the other, the site remains underwater.  It will remain underwater, unless someday the dam nearby is removed from the river.  That will not happen anytime soon, nor is it likely the best course of action to take.  New reports tell us that  sonar maps recently produced by the Corps of Engineers reveal an unchanged Celilo Falls beneath the waters of the Columbia River.

From the environmental standpoint, a part of me wishes that the dams in the Columbia could be removed and we could see the return of some of our hidden natural features.  Certainly I would love to see this great part of our heritage.  Many of the descendants of those who gathered around and lived near the falls would be excited to see them once again.  Perhaps our regions fish and wildlife would benefit from a restoration of the streams and rivers throughout our region.

However, the realist in me understands that, for now, we have too much to gain from leaving the dams operating on our river.  The dam provides relatively inexpensive electrical energy for our region.  As a group, the Columbia and Snake River dams provide irrigation for giant swaths of land east of the Cascades, turning this dry land into fertile farmland.  The dams allow for cheap and efficient shippig of goods up and down our great waterway.  Despite the environmental costs, the very reasons that we built this dam, and others like it, are still valid today.   I have to believe that we will not see the return of Celilo Falls or other natural features anytime soon.

On the other hand, it is great news that somewhere under the waters of the mighty Columbia River, one of our region’s natural and historical landmarks still exists.  It may or may not make a reappearance in our lifetimes.  Somehow, though, it is quite exciting to now know that Celilo Falls is still down there.  The possibility that Celilo Falls could reappear someday is something we (or our grandchildren) could look forward to.

We may not be able to see Celilo Falls.  If circumstances were such that it ever reappeared, the original activities that happened around it will not necessarily return.  But in some small way, it is heartwarming to know that this great part of our history still exists.  If it’s status does not change, our children’s children may have the opportuity to see it again.  I hope that when it does, we have preserved enough of it’s original story so that others will be able to remember.

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