The Willamette River

     At first glance, the river looks like any other along the coast until you study the interesting history it has in the development of Oregon.  It is merely a feeder to the mighty Columbia River. The Willamette runs parallel to the coast which led to many settlements that bloomed into metropolitan cities. 

       The watersheds linking to this magnificent river originates in the higher elevations of the coastal range meandering through the valley providing irrigation to the rich farmlands of Oregon.

   Salmon have been migrating upriver for thousands of years to spawn then die in the never ending life cycle of abundance.

   The history of fishing by the first people is legendary. They would catch salmon as they tried to leap over the many falls along the way to the spawning grounds. 

   These remarkable fishes could   extract oxygen from saltwater or fresh water.