Washougal River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washougal River |
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Flowing under a bridge
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Location of the mouth of Washougal River in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Clark, Skamania |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near McKinley Ridge and Lookout Mountain Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Skamania County 2,761 ft (842 m) 45°47′27″N 122°08′55″W / 45.79083°N 122.14861°W |
| River mouth | Columbia River Washougal and Camas, Clark County 10 ft (3.0 m) 45°34′43″N 122°24′00″W / 45.57861°N 122.40000°W |
| Length | 33 mi (53 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 212 sq mi (550 km2) |
The Washougal River is a 33-mile (53 km) long river in Washington. It flows into the big Columbia River. The river starts in Skamania County, inside the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The lower part of the river flows through Clark County. The Washougal River joins the Columbia River near the cities of Washougal and Camas. People love this river for fishing, swimming, and boating.
Early explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark called it the "Seal River." The name Washougal comes from a local Native American language. It means "rushing water," which perfectly describes the river.
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About the Washougal River Area
The Washougal River flows through a large area of land. This area, called a watershed, covers 212 square miles (549 km²). Most of this land is covered by forests, especially higher up in the Cascade Range mountains. About 162 square miles (420 km²) are in Skamania County. The other 50 square miles (130 km²) are in Clark County.
Land Use Around the River
Closer to where the river meets the Columbia, you can find small farms and homes. The cities of Camas and Washougal are right at the river's mouth. About 63% of the land in the watershed is forest. Another 21% is open land like fields or pastures. The remaining 16% has buildings or is being prepared for development.
River Water Quality
The water in the Washougal River is usually very clean. It is rated "excellent" to "good." However, officials keep an eye on the lower parts of the river. They check for things like harmful bacteria or warm water. They also look for riverbank damage from cutting down trees or new buildings. Two small streams, Jones Creek and Boulder Creek, provide drinking water for the city of Camas.
Fun Things to Do on the Washougal River
The Washougal River is a great place for outdoor activities. It does not have any dams, which is good for fish.
Fishing and Fish Life
Many types of salmon live in the river and its smaller streams. These include Chinook, chum, and Coho salmon. You can also find steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout. Dougan Falls is a waterfall about 21 miles (34 km) from the river's mouth. Most fish cannot swim past this waterfall.
The Washougal River Greenway in Camas is a good spot for fishing. It also has a short walking path, a place to launch boats, and picnic areas. To visit many recreation spots, including Dougan Falls, you might need a Discover Pass. This is a special pass from Washington state. Naked Falls is on private land and needs a separate parking pass. It was closed for a while but is now open again.
Waterfalls and Swimming Holes
The river has several beautiful waterfalls. Some of these waterfalls have popular swimming holes. From the lowest to the highest, these falls include Salmon, Dougan, Naked, Reeder, Stebbins Creek, and Docs Drop. Dougan Falls is 30 feet (9 meters) tall. Its biggest drop is 19 feet (6 meters).
Whitewater Rafting
People who love Whitewater sports enjoy parts of the Washougal River. Some sections are very challenging. They are rated 4, 5, or even 5+ on the International Scale of River Difficulty. This means they are only for experienced rafters.
