The Columbia River Can't Reach Flow State Anymore
By Jayden Kim Sep. 23, 2026
For years, animals have been evicted from their habitats and lost the places that sustain their lives. Unfortunately, some have not been provided with sufficient shelter or resources in return, harming their survival. Something similar is taking place near the Columbia River, leading to the removal of wildlife from their homes. The river’s environments have been destroyed, with wildlife being displaced from where they normally live.
The Columbia river flows through Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, eventually emptying into the Pacific Ocean, and home to a delicate and varied array of organisms, making it a core ecological part of North America. Fish populations rely on the shallow water in certain areas, while deltas, sandbars, wetlands and marshes formed by the buildup of sediment facilitate ecosystems of plants and animals. Lampreys bury themselves in sediment, and animals rely on small organisms like bacteria for food.
However, life is not the only feature that the river sustains. For years, it has served as an invaluable trading post for the U.S., with vessels travelling to and from nations such as China, Japan, South Korea and Australia. A trade network made of railroads, river steamships and a variety of dams using hydroelectric power had been built near and in the river.
However, in recent years, the maintenance of the river’s trade route through the process of dredging has caused various ecological and logistical problems. Dredging, a necessary act to support the river’s functions, is a process that involves the vacuuming, removal and relocation of sediment in specific areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) moves about six to nine million cubic yards of sediment annually to locations outside the shipping channel, ensuring that cargo ships are less likely to scrape against the river floor.
Unfortunately, dredging has resulted in dramatic consequences to the landscapes and wildlife relating to the river. For example, dams and a 17-foot-deep channel have been created near Kelley Point Park in Portland, destroying natural features of the river. Furthermore, gray sand has been used to fill marshes, harming populations that thrive in those areas. The river has been dug to about 43 feet deep, machinery has replaced vegetation and marshes have been eliminated by the movement of sediment. In turn, populations of local wildlife have severely dropped. Salmon and small crustaceans that rely on the river and sediment for survival are being killed by dredging and its aftereffects. Creatures that require shallow water and use the river for migration have been severely affected by changes in sediment deposition.
“I feel that tampering with nature is only warranted if we do it in a controlled and sustainable way. A good economy is important, but preserving nature is arguably more significant. So, we have to find a compromise that preserves nature while boosting the economy,” Sophomore Aaron Jao said.
Recently, a potential solution for dredging’s ecological problems has been posed. In the late 1800s, the USACE Portland District (NWP) created the Woodland Islands by placing sediment dredged from the St. Helens Bar—a sandbar in the river—around timber pile dikes. The island chain is located along the Washington side of the lower river and contains four small islands and a side channel. Over time, erosion caused the pile of sediment created by the NWP to form into the islands present today. In 2017, the NWP and Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST) worked with other organizations to create new habitats using the Woodland Islands to compensate for ecological damage from dredging, aiming to restore wetland habitats and enhance diversity of land elevation. Phase I was complete by the fall of 2020, and sediment from St. Helens Bar dredged during the period was used to construct about seven acres of land in the side channel. Additionally, compost was added to increase soil quality. In early 2023, shrubbery was planted to contribute to a reformed ecosystem. The islands are being designed to recreate shallow habitats salmon use for rest and feeding during migration and support wildlife like birds and amphibians.
“Destroying wildlife habitats is inevitable, but we should try to minimize or delay damages and resort to destruction only if necessary. We need such projects to develop our society, but replacements for a habitat are not carbon copies of the original version,” Senior Andrew Sohn said.
Years after its development, the Woodland Islands project is now serving as a model for future ecosystem management, as the United States Geological Survey Western Fisheries Research Center (USGS) states that it is observing potential sites in the lower river for new habitats. According to the USGS, the USACE has found five potential locations and scientists are analyzing which would provide the best combination of habitat expansion and dredging accommodation, with a related project set to begin in 2027. In the near future, the routine maintenance applied to the islands is hoped to eventually contribute to active ecosystem restoration.
About the Contributor
Jayden Kim
Staff Writer
Jayden Kim is a sophomore at Leland High School currently working as a Staff Writer for The Charger Account. He generally likes to practice violin, relax in his room, or study math problems whenever he has free time. One of his favorite pastimes, along with those mentioned, is to enjoy time with friends online or outside.
Na-Yeh Paik
Artist
Na-Yeh Paik is a senior at Leland High School and an artist for Journalism. Aside from drawing, her other interests include gaming, hiking, and binging shows.
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