Publications:
Fact Cards
Lower
Columbia River Estuary
Phone:
503.226.1565
Web: www.lcrep.org
 The
Columbia River is an interstate and
international river, originating in
Canada and flowing south 1,214 miles
to the Pacific Ocean. The Lower Columbia
River Estuary Program works in the
lower 146 miles of the river where
the river divides Oregon and Washington.
The estuary provides great historical
significance to the region and the
nation: Native Americans lived in
great numbers on the lands that were
later a focus of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition. Today, the diversity of
the estuary's habitat and living resources
and its primary significance to the
economic stability of a vast population
make its protection paramount.
Facts About the Estuary
- Over
2.5 million people live and work
in the area.
- Over
175 species of birds alone use
the lower Columbia River estuary
for food
and habitat.
- Commercial
fishing was once the engine of
local economies: as early as 1880,
there were 40 canneries on the
lower Columbia River.
- Annually,
30 million metric tons of waterborne
cargo worth $13 billion is imported
and exported through lower Columbia
River ports.
- The
Columbia River Basin constitutes
the world's largest hydroelectric
power system and 43 percent of
the nation's aluminum comes from
Columbia River plants.
- Over
9,000 acres planted with specialized
trees used for woodchip and paper
making help supply the six pulp
and paper facilities located along
the river.
- Recreation
activities include: fishing, boating,
canoeing and kayaking, windsurfing,
birding, and more to hundreds
of thousands of residents and
visitors annually.
Health
of the Estuary
- Twelve
species of salmon and steelhead
for which the lower Columbia River
estuary is key habitat are listed
as threatened or endangered, including
Lower Columbia River Steelhead,
Lower Columbia River Chinook Salmon,
and Columbia River Chum Salmon.
- Studies
conducted in the early 90s by
the Bi-State Water Quality Program
and the Lower Columbia River Estuary
Program found PCBs, metals, pesticides,
and other pollutants present in
suckers, carp, and sturgeon.
- Elevated
concentrations of dioxins and
some types of pesticides have
been detected in suckers. These
pollutants have also appeared
in otter livers and the eggshells
of bald eagles.
- Increases
in nonpoint source pollution resulting
from large increases in impervious
surface area, injurious land use
practices, and increases in vehicles
and the number of miles driven
is removing habitat and impairing
water quality.
- Since
1890, over 70 percent of the wetlands
in the lower Columbia River have
been lost, fifty percent of those
within the last 50 years.
- Other
problems exist due to changes
in water temperature and levels
of dissolved gas and fecal coliform
bacteria.
Accomplishments
of the Estuary Program
- Took
more than 600 children on four-hour
educational boat trips in 2000.
- Surveyed
46 river miles, using satellite
imagery and hyper spectral photography,
and identified critical habitat.
- Awarded
over 24 grants worth more than
$250,000 since 1996.
- Launched
the Kids for the Columbia Club
in 2000 to provide information
to children and teachers.
- Implementation
agreement signed by Governors
of Oregon and Washington and USEPA
committing parties to implement
Management Plan, first joint Oregon-Washington
framework for estuary ecosystem
restoration and protection.
- Coordinating
Endangered Species Act salmon
recovery efforts on mainstem lower
Columbia River.
- Completed
a School of Discovery pilot program
with a school district that involved
all grade levels in Columbia River
studies.
- Provided
funds and assistance to two municipalities
developing stormwater management
programs, connecting land use
and water quality.
For
Viewing and Printing:
Before printing one or more of these National
Estuary Program files,
check out each of their text only versions for
quick viewing.
To view each of the PDF versions, you will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader software, which can be downloaded FREE
from Adobe's site through a direct link.
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