Walla Walla River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Walla Walla River is a tributary of the Columbia River, joining the Columbia just above Wallula Gap in southeastern Washington in the United States.
Its headwaters lie in the Blue Mountains located in northeastern Oregon, where it originates as the North and South Forks of the Walla Walla River. The surrounding forested land holds a network of hiking and mountain-biking trails, one of which runs northward to Jubilee Lake.
The confluence of the North and South Forks lies east of Milton-Freewater, Oregon. The river flows eastward to reach Milton Freewater, which is built along its banks, and then flows northward through Milton-Freewater. Irrigation water is drawn from the river here and at numerous locations along the river.
It flows southwest of the city of Walla Walla in the Walla Walla valley. Mill Creek, which flows through the city of Walla Walla, joins the Walla Walla river at the Whitman Mission west of the city of Walla Walla.
The Touchet River joins the Walla Walla at the town of Touchet.
The river enters the Columbia a mile south of the town of Walulla down stream (on the Columbia) of the Snakes confluence with the Columbia and just upstream of the Walulla Gap.
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[edit] History
The Walla Walla tribe occupied the region around the Walla Walla river prior to white settlers entry to the region.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806) was the first United States overland expedition to the Pacific coast and back—the return expedition stopped at the mouth of the Walla Walla and stayed with the Walla Walla tribe for a portion of the journey, proceeding from there overland to the Snake river.
Fort Nez Percés (later known as Old Fort Walla Walla) was a fortified fur trading post on the Columbia River on the territory of modern-day Wallula, Washington. It was in operation from 1818 until 1857 on the eastern shore of the Columbia River, immediately north of the mouth of the Walla Walla River. The fort was abandoned in 1857 when the Hudson's Bay Company gave up its business in the Oregon Territory.
The Whitman Mission was established in 1836. It lies near the banks of the river to the west of the modern city of Walla Walla.
[edit] Fish
The Walla Walla River supports populations of spring Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, and bull trout among other species. There is a sport fishery for steelhead in the river.
[edit] Photos
 Looking north at the confluence of the Columbia and the Walla Walla Rivers. The Walla Walla enters from the east (right). |
 Irrigation diversion works at Milton Freewater |
 The South Fork of the Walla Walla River at Harris Park 13 miles above Milton Freewater, Oregon. |
 The North Fork of the Walla Walla River above Milton Freewater, Oregon. |
 Valley of the North Fork of the Walla Walla River above Milton Freewater in Oregon. |
 Picture taken from location slightly above the location of Fort Nez Percés as seen in 2006, looking to the south toward the Walulla Gap. |
