Baker Bay (Columbia River) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baker Bay |
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 Baker Bay
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Columbia River |
| Coordinates | 46°17′55″N 124°0′3″W / 46.29861°N 124.00083°W |
| River sources | Wallacut River, Chinook River |
| Basin countries | United States |
Baker Bay is a cool bay located right where the mighty Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. You can find it near Cape Disappointment on the north side of the river. It's partly in Washington state and partly in Oregon.
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Discovering Baker Bay
Baker Bay is an important part of the Columbia River estuary. An estuary is a special place where a river meets the sea. This means the water in Baker Bay is a mix of fresh water from the river and salty water from the ocean!
Where is Baker Bay?
Baker Bay is tucked away just inside the mouth of the Columbia River. It sits behind Cape Disappointment. This cape is a famous landmark. The bay is located in Pacific County, Washington, and Clatsop County, Oregon. This makes it a unique spot right on the border of two states!
Towns and Rivers Nearby
Two towns are located right on the shores of Baker Bay. These are Ilwaco and Chinook. Both are small communities.
Two rivers also flow into Baker Bay. These are the Wallacut River and the Chinook River. These rivers bring fresh water into the bay. This fresh water mixes with the ocean's salt water.
How Baker Bay Got Its Name
Baker Bay was named a long time ago, in 1792. It was named by a British captain named William Robert Broughton. He was the captain of a ship called HMS Chatham.
Captain Broughton was part of the Vancouver Expedition. This was a big journey to explore the Pacific Ocean. He named the bay after James Baker. James Baker was the captain of another ship called the Jenny. The Jenny was anchored in Baker Bay when Broughton explored the river. Both ships, the Jenny and the Chatham, left the bay together. They crossed the challenging Columbia Bar side-by-side.
