Is that a canal in your pocket, or are you just happy to 'sea' me?

  I'm going a little off the promised topic this time. While mapping out where the Columbia basin first leaves the Pacific and heads inland across the Clatsop Spit, I came across some conflicting information. The land's elevation seemed to indicate that the basin cut across a high point in a valley between two hills and then followed the hill's ridge line south. However, according to the satellite images, there seemed to be a stream that was running up hill. I decided to let physics determine my decision. Further research proved I was both right and wrong in this decision.

  I was right with my inclination in that this area marked the natural border of the Columbia basin. But this was the first time I had encountered a modified basin. It turns out that mankind has performed the Herculean task of changing a river's course. In doing so, the basin of the Columbia has been enlarged.

  As mentioned previously, the Skipanon river is the first true tributary of the Columbia. However, at only about 3 miles in length, no one was impressed. The people of Warrenton were perhaps suffering a big of creek envy. Not satisfied with their river's length, they enlarged it.

  Nestled in the hills east of Sunset Beach is Cullaby lake. This used to drain into Neacoxie creek, which itself would drain into the Necanicum river, much closer to the south than the Columbia in the north. However, erosion, being what it is, was filling in that vital connection with sediments. Local lands were being flooded, farms destroyed. To alleviate everyone's misery, a series of ditches were dug to connect the various small lakes and swamps with the Skipanon river. Efforts on the Carnahan ditch were poorly thought out and executed. Unforeseen consequences followed.

  Later, a more thorough attempt was made to control water levels. The Clatsop canal was properly built and was even multipurpose. Instead of just draining the flooding lake, it could direct water for irrigation and support transportation. All would not be happy yet. You can't simply connect a lake to a river that then connects to the ocean without some side effects. Being that the mouth of the Columbia is a large estuary, it is subject to the ocean tides. Ergo, the river will fill with ocean water, enough to send salt water in to the river's fresh water system.

  A couple dams were built, one near the mouth of the Skipanon, and the other near Cullaby lake. Initially these proved disastrous for the ecology of the area. Salmon couldn't make it up river, water quality decreased with a lack of proper drainage and a growing population. Luckily, solutions were found, and today the dams still exist while bringing benefits to the land, the people, and the wildlife. 

  Despite these changes to the basin, most of the Clatsop plain still drains into the ocean through the Necanicum and Seaside estuary. 

  Next tine, I'll get back on topic and talk about the basin that took a bite out of the Columbia. It may be the first, but it won't be the last.

Happy hunting,

Brett