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List of tributaries of the Columbia River facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Columbia River is one of the biggest rivers in North America. It flows for a very long way, collecting water from many smaller rivers and streams along its journey. These smaller rivers that flow into a larger river are called tributaries. Think of them like branches joining a main tree trunk!

This article lists the main tributaries of the Columbia River. They are listed starting from where the Columbia River meets the ocean (its mouth) and moving upstream towards its source. You'll also see some important dams and the lakes they create, which are called reservoirs.

Columbiarivermap
Map of the Columbia drainage Basin with the Columbia River highlighted and showing the major tributaries

Main Tributaries of the Columbia River

Here's a look at some of the most important rivers that join the Columbia. The table shows rivers that join from the left or right side as you look downstream (towards the mouth). It also shows their length, the size of the area they drain (their basin), and how much water they typically carry (their average discharge).

Left tributary Right tributary Length

(km)

 Basin size

(km2)

 Average discharge

(m3/s)
Lower Columbia

(From the mouth to Bonneville Dam)
Youngs 43 257.6 14.7
Grays 48 320 15.9
Cowlitz 169 6,698 286.6
Lewis 153 2,709 173.4
Willamette 301 28,949 1,098.7
Sandy 92 1,316 65
Middle Columbia

(From Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam)
Wind 48 580 34.2
White Salmon 71.3 1,000 30.4
Deschutes 406 27,549.6 215.7
John Day 457 20,521.3 80.4
Umatilla 143 6,345 14
Upper Columbia

(From McNary Dam to Columbia Lake)
Snake 1,735 260,938.7 1,755.6
Yakima 344 15,930.4 100.3
Crab Creek 262 13,200 40.4
Wenatchee 85 3,473.1 103.7
Okanogan 185 21,385.7 99
Spokane 179 17,353.4 228.6
Kettle 282 10,877 82.3
Pend Oreille 771 67,055.5 850.2
Kootenay 780 50,298 868
Illecillewaet 62 1,213.3 61.4
Blaeberry 60 745.6 17.8
Kicking Horse 1,815.4 40.9
Spillimacheen 118 1,456.2 38

Many other rivers and creeks also flow into the Columbia River. Some of the notable ones include:

Willamette River System

The Willamette River is a major tributary in Oregon. Here are some of its important branches:

Snake River System

The Snake River is the largest tributary of the Columbia River. It flows through many states. Here are some of its key branches and features:

Yakima River System

The Yakima River is an important tributary in Washington. Here are some of its branches:

Pend Oreille River System

The Pend Oreille River is a large tributary that flows through British Columbia, Washington, and Idaho.

Kootenay River System

The Kootenay River is another major tributary, flowing through British Columbia, Idaho, and Montana.

See also

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List of tributaries of the Columbia River Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.