Willapa Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willapa Hills |
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Clearcutting in the Willapa Hills, Washington state.
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Boistfort Peak |
| Elevation | 949 m (3,114 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Willapa Hills
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| Parent range | Pacific Coast Ranges |
The Willapa Hills are a special area of land in southwest Washington, USA. They are known for their unique landforms and how they fit into the bigger picture of the Earth's geography. These hills are part of a larger chain of mountains called the Pacific Coast Ranges. This chain stretches along the western edge of North America.
The Willapa Hills have clear natural borders. To the west, they meet the vast Pacific Ocean. The mighty Columbia River forms their southern edge. To the north, you'll find the Olympic Mountains. And to the east, the Cascade Range marks another boundary. This area also includes smaller hill groups like the Black Hills and the Doty Hills. There are also wide river valleys that open up into large bays, like Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.
Exploring the Willapa Hills
The Willapa Hills are the lowest uplands in the entire Pacific Coast Ranges system. This means they are not as tall as other mountain ranges nearby. The highest point in the Willapa Hills is Boistfort Peak. It stands about 3,087 feet (949 meters) tall.
Land Use and Forests
Most of the land in the Willapa Hills is owned by private companies or people. For a long time, the trees in this area have been harvested. This process is called logging. Because of this, only a few small areas still have their original, very old forests. These untouched forests are sometimes called "virgin forests."
Young alder trees, which are less than 20 years old, are often cut down. They are used to make paper and other products at places called pulp mills. This shows how important the timber industry is to the region.
Rivers and Rainfall
The Willapa Hills get a lot of rain. This heavy rainfall helps many rivers start their journey here. These rivers flow through the hills and out to the Pacific Ocean. Some of the important rivers that begin in the Willapa Hills include:
- The Chehalis River
- The Willapa River
- The North River
- The Bone River
- The Niawiakum River
- The Palix River
- The Bear River
- The Naselle River
- The Grays River
- The Elochoman River
These rivers are important for the local wildlife and for people living in the area.
