Washougal River | |
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Bridge over Washougal River, Washington State |
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Origin | Gifford Pinchot National Forest |
Mouth | Columbia River at Camas |
Basin countries | United States |
Length | 33 miles |
Basin area | 212 square miles |
The Washougal River is a shallow tributary of the Columbia River. Its mouth is located near the towns of Washougal and Camas, Washington. The Washougal river is a popular site for fishing, swimming, and tubing.
Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark referred to the Washougal River as the "Seal River." The name Washougal comes from the Cascades Chinook placename [wasiixwal] or [wasuxal],[1] meaning "rushing water".[2] It has been speculated that D. B. Cooper's ransom money found on the bank of the Columbia River might have been carried to the beach via the Washougal River.[3][4]