Above these obstructions the Columbia with its tributaries is navigable to the extent of 1,294 miles. Thus the Columbia would be navigable for 1,664 miles were it not for these obstructions.[1]
The Cascade range of mountains extends entirely across the States of Oregon and Washington, and the only natural opening in the range is the Columbia River. Through this opening is the natural transportation route for the products of the great valley of the Columbia to the seaboard and of the supplies for the inhabitants of that region. The Columbia River is in size and importance the second in the United States.[2] The total area drained by it is 244,959 square miles. It is divided as follows:
Oregon: Square Miles.
Willamette and Columbia below the mouth of Columbia...12,000
Deschutes...10,000
John Day, Willow Creek and Walla Walla...12,600
Snake River...17,200
Washington Territory:
North side Columbia below the Snake...8,000
Columbia above the Snake...5,200
Idaho:
Columbia River...7,600
Snake River...70,040
Nevada:
Snake River...6,280
Wyoming:
Snake River...5,184
Utah:
Snake River...700
Montana:
Columbia River...20,800
British Columbia:
Columbia River...38,395
Or it may be divided in another way as follows:
Snake River...104,604
Upper Columbia above the junction with the Snake...97,155
Main Columbia below the junction...43,200
Total 244,959
