What is shipped on the Columbia River?

The  main commodities moving on the Columbia River are grain, oil, logs, other forest products such as pulp, paper and wood chips, and containers. The Columbia River is also used for power generation, navigation, irrigation and flood control. The 14 hydroelectric dams along the Columbia produce about 44% of the US hydroelectricity. Cargo ships go very far up the Columbia River as well.

The navigable portion goes about 465 miles from Astoria to Lewiston, Idaho. As a whole, it ranks first in the nation for the transportation and main export of U.S. wheat and barley. You may ask how many boats have sunk at the mouth of the Columbia River? Well, since 1792, about 2,000 ships have sunk near there, earning it the nickname “Graveyard of the Pacific.”

There are 250 reservoirs and 150 hydroelectric projects along with 18 mainstem dams along the Columbia River.

The Columbia River is known for its beautiful sights, glorious fishing, power production and camping. The Columbia River is used for waterfall, wildflower, and scenic viewing as well as many hydroelectric projects and farming.