Columbia River Traffic

Our next stop was Woodland, Washington, about 20 miles north of Portland. We drove about two miles west of I-5 through farmlands with mountains to the east to the RV park.

The park's location sounded attractive: "Watch the ships sail by as you unwind at your beachfront RV site or take a relaxing walk on the beach."

Studying the traffic on the Columbia River sounded like the perfect way to spend many an hour at this ideal location. The morning fog added an interesting dimension to the hillside opposite the RV park.

However, viewing the activity on the river was a challenge. Five of the seven days here were marked by either steady downpours or intermittent showers.

On the days that we stayed "home," we would make frequent checks to see if we could catch views of the activity. Almost daily, small boats took these positions in the river, presumably for personal fishing.

Because of the 40-foot-deep channel in the lower river and slackwater lakes on the middle river, ocean freighters can navigate up the Columbia and Willamette rivers to Portland and barges can transport goods to the interior.

Chem Ranger

Expander

Towboats push the barges up through navigation locks on Bonneville and beyond. The output from the smokestacks of factories on the opposite shore produced an active background for the photos of these towboats.

Mary B

Tidewater Barge Lines

The birds in flight added a nice to this photo of the ghostly boat.

But not all boats are cargo ships or towboats. Pleasure and recreational craft add a whole new dimension to the river's traffic.

Traffic above the river was also present.

The end to one of the two sunny afternoons we enjoyed.