Niawiakum River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Niawiakum River |
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Location of the mouth of the Niawiakum River in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Pacific |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Willapa Hills 46°37′35″N 123°51′46″W / 46.62639°N 123.86278°W |
| River mouth | Willapa Bay 0 ft (0 m) 46°37′48″N 123°56′3″W / 46.63000°N 123.93417°W |
| Length | 6 mi (9.7 km) |
The Niawiakum River is a short river in the United States state of Washington. It is about 6 miles (9.7 km) long. This river is special because of its beautiful natural areas and interesting history.
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Niawiakum River starts in the hills of southwestern Washington. It flows mostly towards the west. The river empties into Willapa Bay. This is near a place called Bay Center. It is also close to where the Palix River meets the bay.
The Niawiakum River is only a few miles long. The bottom half of the river is a wide estuary. An estuary is where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. This area also has tidal marshland. This means the water level changes with the ocean tides. A main road, U.S. Route 101, crosses the river close to where it meets the bay.
How the River Got Its Name
The name "Niawiakum" comes from the Lower Chehalis tribe. They are a Native American group who lived in this area. They gave the river its original name.
Nature Along the River
A large part of the lower river, about 838 acres (339 ha), is a protected area. It is called the Niawiakum River Natural Area Preserve. This preserve helps protect the plants and animals that live there.
Much of the land around the river is owned by Weyerhaeuser. This company works with forests. Two of the biggest Western Red Cedar trees in the world are on this land. They are called the Niawiakum Giant and the Seal Slough Cedar.
The river's estuary and its tidal salt marsh are very important. They are some of the best natural areas along the coasts of Washington and Oregon. People are working to protect more of the Niawiakum estuary. They are also trying to protect the nearby Bone River estuary.
The River's Earthy Secrets
The lower Niawiakum River holds clues about a huge event. It shows signs of the 1700 Cascadia earthquake and a tsunami that followed it. A tsunami is a giant ocean wave caused by an earthquake.
Students and scientists visit the river to learn about tsunamis. These trips are part of a special program. It is offered by the University of Washington (UW). They work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This program teaches people about tsunami science and how to prepare for them. It was created after the big Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
