Naselle River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Naselle River |
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Naselle River as seen from US 101, looking south, a few miles northwest of Naselle
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 Location of the mouth of the Naselle River in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Pacific, Wahkiakum |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Willapa Hills 46°28′8″N 123°33′14″W / 46.46889°N 123.55389°W |
| River mouth | Chelto Harbor Willapa Bay 46°27′54″N 123°56′24″W / 46.46500°N 123.94000°W |
The Naselle River is a river located in the state of Washington in the United States. It's a natural waterway that plays an important role in the local environment and history.
Contents
Where Does the Naselle River Flow?
The Naselle River starts in the Willapa Hills. These hills are a range of low mountains in southwestern Washington. From there, the river generally flows towards the west.
Journey to Willapa Bay
As the river travels, it passes by the small community of Naselle. Finally, it empties into the southern part of Willapa Bay. This bay is a large, shallow body of water known for its oyster farms.
What Are the Naselle River's Tributaries?
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river. The Naselle River has many tributaries that join it along its path. Some of these include Alder Creek, North Fork Naselle River, Cedar Creek, and Salmon Creek. Other tributaries are Lane Creek, O'Conner Creek, South Naselle River, and Johnson Creek. Dell Creek, Petes Creek, Holm Creek, Smith Creek, and Ellsworth Creek also feed into the Naselle River. The town of Naselle is located close to where the Naselle River and the South Naselle River meet. The wide, tidal area where the Naselle River meets Willapa Bay is called Chelto Harbor.
How Did the Naselle River Get Its Name?
The name of the Naselle River has been spelled in different ways over time, such as "Nasel" and "Nasal." An early settler once called it the "Kenebec."
Origin of the Name
According to Edmond S. Meany, a historian, the name "Naselle" comes from the Nisal Indians. The Nisal were a Chinookan tribe who used to live along this river. The Chinookan people are Native American groups from the Pacific Northwest region.
Popular Culture
The Naselle River is featured in the book Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm.
Our Only May Amelia Book
This book tells the story of a Finnish family who settled along the Nasel River. It gives readers a glimpse into what life was like for pioneers in this area.
