Columbia River, The
The Columbia River by John A. Harrison, published by Arcadia Publishing in 2021, offers an insightful exploration of the dominant river system of the Northwest United States. This 128-page book presents a comprehensive overview of the Columbia River, known for its diverse uses such as hydropower, fisheries, and irrigation. The river, which has been referred to by various names, plays a significant role in the region’s geography and ecology, draining parts of seven states and British Columbia.
Readers will find a blend of natural and human histories within its pages, enriched by photographs sourced from historical archives, government agencies, and personal collections. The book delves into the complexities of the Columbia River, highlighting its evolution as a vital resource while addressing the paradox of its natural and human narratives. Through this visual and textual journey, the book sheds light on the river’s significance in both historical and contemporary contexts, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the history of the United States and local geography.
Official synopsis Publisher
The Columbia River is the dominant river system of the Northwest United States. It is a river of many uses–hydropower, fisheries, and irrigation–and was known by many names–Columbia’s River, the Big River, and even River in the Chickadee Territory. It is the fourth-largest river by volume in North America, draining parts of seven states and the province of British Columbia. Because of its unique location close to the ocean, its tall mountain ranges, its steep drop from headwaters to the ocean, its deep and solid canyon, and its huge volume of clear, cold water, the Columbia River evolved as one of the great salmon and hydropower rivers of the world. And therein lies the chief paradox of the Columbia–the conflict of its natural history with its human history. Today, the river is an “organic machine,” in the words of historian Richard White, part nature, part machine. This book briefly explores the natural and human histories of the river through photographs from historical archives, government agencies, and personal collections.
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