East Fork Lewis River

The East Fork Lewis River is a river in the state of Washington in the United States. It is the largest tributary of the Lewis River. Its source is on Green Lookout Mountain in Skamania County. It then flows to the west through Clark County until it converges with the Lewis about 3.5 mi (5.6 km) upstream from the Columbia River.

East Fork Lewis River
The East Fork Lewis River at Moulton Falls Park
Location of the mouth of the Lewis River in Washington
East Fork Lewis River (the United States)
EtymologyA. Lee Lewis, early settler
Native nameYahkohtl
Location
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountySkamania and Clark
Physical characteristics
SourceGreen Lookout Mountain
 • locationSkamania County
 • coordinates45°50′33″N 122°05′56″W[1]
 • elevation4,442 ft (1,354 m)
MouthLewis River
 • location
Ridgefield, Washington
 • coordinates
45°51′57″N 122°43′08″W[1]
 • elevation
10 ft (3.0 m)
Length43.5 mi (70.0 km)
Basin size150,635 acres
Basin features
WaterfallsSunset Falls, Moulton Falls, Lucia Falls

History

When George B. McClellan was on the Northern Pacific Railroad Survey in 1853, he logged information in his journals about his visit to the Yacolt area, including the East Fork Lewis River. McClellan observed a few Klickitat families camped at a waterfall on the Yahkohtl River (a Klickitat name for the East Fork). He described them as "plateau-style Indians" that rode horses and were armed with a shotgun.[2] He observed these people catching trout from the river. McClellan also noted several waterfalls along the river, which he suggested may be suitable for power generation.[3]

Unlike many "Lewis" names in the region that reference Meriwether Lewis, the Lewis River was named by an unrelated Adolphus Lewis, a former Hudson's Bay employee who was an early settler in the area.[4]

Mills were constructed at multiple points along the East Fork after the Yacolt Burn of 1902. They served to salvage partially-burned timber and were dismantled once that task was complete. Two waterfalls on the river, Moulton Falls and Lucia Falls bear the surnames of the owners of mills that were once powered by them.[5]

Course
Lewisville Park Boat Launch

The East Fork Lewis River begins on the west slope of Green Lookout Mountain, in the southwest corner of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania County. From there it flows primarily westward, with the majority of its basin lying in Clark County.

Its first notable feature is Sunset Falls, followed by its convergence with Yacolt Creek at Moulton Falls Regional Park, south of Yacolt. The river then spills over Moulton Falls and Lucia Falls, before flowing north of Battle Ground through Lewisville Park, Clark County's oldest county park. From there, the river continues westward, through Daybreak Park, after which it joins Brazee Creek, just before passing through La Center. Shortly after flowing past the town, the East Fork curves around Paradise Point just before it merges with the main fork of the Lewis River.

Sources

The East Fork's headwaters flow through steep, narrow, rocky valleys, forming a canyon in some places. Copper Creek and Upper Rock Creek are its largest primary tributaries. Elevation at the source is approximately 4,442 ft (1,354 m).[6]

East Fork Lewis River kayaker

Watershed

The East Fork's basin is approximately 150,635 acres. The rocky upper basin was formed by erosion as well as volcanic and glacial processes, while the lower reaches of the basin have been formed primarily through erosion as the river flows through alluvial flatlands. The lower basin has a much lower gradient than the upper, and shifting sediment deposits cause frequent meandering and braiding. The upper basin has a large amount of hardened volcanic ash, pumice, and other pyroclastic material. With the presence of these brittle materials combined with its steep gradient, it experiences high levels of erosion, contributing to the sediment deposits downstream.[7]

River modifications

Sunset Falls was a historic natural barrier for anadromous fish migration. The falls were notched in 1982, reducing their height from 13.5 ft (4.1 m) to 8 ft (2.4 m). This change allowed 12% of the current steelhead run to spawn upstream from the falls.[6]

Wildlife

Many varieties of trout and salmon live and spawn in the East Fork, including Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead. In 2014, the East Fork was designated as a wild steelhead gene bank by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.[6]

See also

References
  1. "East Fork Lewis River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. Hunn, Eugene (October 11, 2003). Anthropological Study of Yakama Tribe: Traditional Resource Harvest Sites West of the Crest of the Cascades Mountains in Washington State and below the Cascades of the Columbia River (PDF). University of Washington Dept of Anthropology. p. 64. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  3. Topinka, Lyn. "Lower Klickitat Trail Washington". The Columbia River- A Photographic Journey. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  4. "Names in Clark County". Clark History. The Columbian. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  5. Topinka, Lyn. "East Fork Lewis River, Washington". The Columbia River- A Photographic Journey. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  6. "East Fork Lewis River". Native Fish Society. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  7. "Lewis River Subbasin- East Fork" (PDF). Northwest Power and Conservation Council Reports. 2: 3. May 2004. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
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