Government Island (Oregon) facts for kids
The Glenn Jackson Bridge (on I-205)
crossing over Government Island |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Columbia River |
| Coordinates | 45°34′30″N 122°30′29″W / 45.575°N 122.508°W |
| Administration | |
Government Island is a large island in the Columbia River in Oregon, USA. It is about 1,760 acres big. Even though a big bridge, the Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge (part of Interstate 205), goes over it, you can only get to the island by boat. There's a special gate on the bridge that is kept locked.
The island is famous for its large group of great blue heron birds. It also has the Government Island State Recreation Area, where you can go camping and enjoy the beaches. Some parts of the island are not open to the public. These areas include a place where cattle graze in certain seasons and protected natural spots like Jewit Lake. You can also find old pioneer buildings on the island.
If you visit, you can camp along the edges of the island, below where the plants start growing. There are also picnic tables and restrooms in these areas. Many special animals live on the island. Some of these are rare or endangered.
Exploring Government Island
Government Island is a unique place in the Columbia River. It offers a mix of outdoor fun and protected nature. Remember, you need a boat to get there, making it a special adventure!
Island History and Ownership
The first people from Europe to write about visiting Government Island were British explorer William Robert Broughton in 1792. Then, American explorers Lewis and Clark visited in 1805. The island got its current name in 1850. This was when the U.S. military took control of it to grow hay for their animals.
Most of Government Island is owned by the Port of Portland. The Port bought the whole island in 1969. They also bought nearby Lemon Island and McGuire Island. Their original plan was to make Portland International Airport bigger.
Even though those airport expansion plans were stopped, the Port of Portland still owns the land. They control it to make sure nothing happens on the island that would cause problems with the airport's flight paths.
In 1999, the Port of Portland sold 224 acres of the island to Metro. Metro is a government agency for the region. The Port also leased the rest of the island to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for 99 years. This means the state park system helps manage it for a very long time.
Wildlife and Nature on the Island
Government Island is home to many different kinds of wildlife. Some of these animals are considered threatened or endangered. This means their populations are very low, and they need protection.
Animals you might find on the island include:
- Red-legged frogs
- Pileated woodpecker
- Little willow flycatcher
- Olive-sided flycatcher
- Western meadowlark
- Horned grebe
- Red-necked grebe
- Bufflehead
- Purple martin
- Possibly the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer
The island's natural areas, like Jewit Lake, are important habitats for these creatures. Protecting these areas helps these special animals survive.
