The Lower Columbia River Basin Robyn Scarth Abstract: The Lower Columbia River Basin is a 6,330 square acre area that surrounds the last 115 miles of river from Oregon and Washington. The waterway has helped to build and support the second largest concentration of people in the Northwest. Nearly one million people live in the Portland and Vancouver area, which is the principal port for the region. Industries dominate water use in the area and contribute significantly to the local economy. The Columbia River supports businesses through the import and export of goods along the river's navigation channel. Since the late 1800's the Lower Columbia has been dredged in order to make it more navigable for barges traveling on the river. A current plan to increase the channel depth by three feet has been proposed by port owners and the Army Corps of Engineers. Opponents predict that the plan will disrupt local marine life and negatively impact towns along the river. Despite the concerns, in October 2000 the channel deepening project is expected to begin. Key References: Fuhrer, Gregory J. & Horowitz, Arthur J. 1989. The vertical distribution of selected trace metals and organic compounds in bottom materials of the proposed lower Columbia river export channel, Oregon, 1984. Portland, Oregon: Denver, Colorado. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey & The Army Corps of Engineers. Mohan, Ram K. & Chase, Thomas J. March 1999. U.S. Port Development Overview. Sea Technology. Vol 40: 17-18. Siipola, Mark D. July 1992. Reconnaissance level Benthic Infaunal, Sediment and Fish Study. Environmental Protection Agency & The Army Corps of Engineers. Seattle, Washington.   Return to Water Resources Papers page.