Columbia Bar

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The Columbia River Bar is the portion of the Columbia River where the current dissipates into the Pacific Ocean, often as large, standing waves partially caused by the deposition of sediment as the river slows. These standing waves are usually mixed with ocean waves and wreak havoc with small (and not so small) vessels. The Columbia current varies from 4 to 7 knots westward and therefore into the predominantly westerly winds and ocean swells creating significant surface conditions. ^[1] To add to the treachery, conditions can change from calm and serene to life threatening breaking waves in as little as five minutes due to changes of direction of wind and ocean swell.

Since 1792 approximately 2,000 large ships have sunk in and around the Columbia River Bar. The nearby U.S. Coast Guard station at Cape Disappointment is renowned for operating in some of the roughest sea conditions in the world and is also home to the National Motor Lifeboat School. It is the only school for rough weather and surf rescue operation in the United States and is respected internationally as a center of excellence for heavy boat operations. ^[2]

Bar pilots consider the bar to be the area between the north and south jetties and Sand Island.

As a practical tip, small craft are advised to cross the bar during times of incoming flood tide, staying toward the outside of the navigational channel to avoid the frequent large ships which move at 20 to 30 knots.

The Columbia Bar is part of a set of major marine coastal hazards along the Pacific Northwest Coast, including Cape Flattery at the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula and Cape Scott, which is at the north tip of Vancouver Island. Historically this region's nickname to mariners was the Graveyard of the Pacific, and the region is studded with the hundreds of shipwrecks. The "Graveyard" also includes the rocky, rugged shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island as well as the shores of the Olympic Peninsula up the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

View from the South Jetty at low tide

[edit] Viewing

The most accessible place to watch ships cross the bar and feel the salty spray is at the South Jetty viewing platform at Fort Stevens State Park located in Warrenton, Oregon. For a more dramatic view, hike the steep 0.75 mile trail to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse at the Cape Disappointment State Park located in Ilwaco, Washington.