Sauvie Island

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Map of Sauvie Island, drawn in 1937, showing Multnomah Channel, Columbia River, Willamette River, Portland, Vancouver, and Columbia River Highway.

Sauvie Island in Oregon is the largest island along the Columbia River, at 26,000 acres, and is also the largest non-delta river island on earth. It lies approximately ten miles west-northwest of downtown Portland, between the Columbia River to the east, the Multnomah Channel to the west, and the Willamette River to the south. Much of the interior is comprised of water, with Sturgeon Lake being the most prominent feature in the north central part of the island. The land area is 84.82 km² (32.75 sq mi, or 20,959 acres). Most of the island is in Multnomah County, but the northern third belongs to Columbia County. The Sauvie Island Bridge (built 1950) provides access across the Multnomah Channel from U.S. Highway 30.

The island is predominantly farmland and wildlife refuge. There were 1,078 year-round residents at the 2000 census. There is an industrial zone and small grocery store in the southeast corner, near the bridge. Bicyclists flock to the island because its flat topography and lengthy low-volume roads make it ideal for cycling. Its nearest incorporated neighbors are the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area to its south and southeast; St. Helens across the Multnomah Channel from the extreme northern tip of the island; and Scappoose, across the Multnomah Channel to the west.

[edit] History

1792 - British Lieutenant William Broughton in George Vancouver's expedition explores the island and names the northern tip "Warrior Point" after being greeted offshore by 23 canoes of armed Multnomah Indians.
November 4, 1805 - The Lewis and Clark expedition lands, names it "Wapato Island" after the abundance of Broadleaf arrowhead plants.
1832 - Much of the native population dies in an epidemic; Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver removes survivors and burns settlements.
1834 - American Nathanial J. Wyeth builds and occupies Fort Williams, a small trading post, to compete with the British; abandoned 1836.
c1836 - Hudson's Bay Company establishes dairies on the island, managed by French-Canadian employee Laurent Sauvé (after whom the island is now named).
1851 - "Mouth of Willamette" Post Office established; renamed "Souvies Island" the following year.
1858 - James Bybee builds the Greek Revival Bybee-Howell House. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and today is part of the Metro's Howell Territorial Park, operated by the Oregon Historical Society.
1889 - Warrior Rock Lighthouse established at Warrior Point.
1930s - The Army Corps of Engineers builds flood-control dikes.
1940s - Sauvie Island Wildlife Area acquired by the state of Oregon.
December 30, 1950 - Sauvie Island Bridge opens; Sauvie Island Ferry closes.
2006 - Multnomah County begins construction of new Sauvie Island Bridge, due to open in 2008.

[edit] Recreational beaches

The island is also the location of several riverside beaches, including Walton Beach, North Unit Beach, and the clothing-optional Collins Beach on the island's east coast along NW Reeder Road's last few miles past the end of the pavement. The beaches are open from dawn to 10 p.m. but are closed to overnight use and camping. Open fires are not allowed. Dogs are allowed if they are leashed. Rangers have been known to use binoculars to spot dogs running loose far up the beach and then to issue tickets upon the owners' return to the parking lot with animal leashed.

Beach parking is subject to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permits, which are $3.50/day or $11/year and are available at all stores on the island and many near the island. Vehicles without a permit are towed and impounded; as of 2005, this can cost a vehicle's owner around $700.