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Full-Text Articles in History
1949: Year Of Decision On The Columbia River, William L. Lang
1949: Year Of Decision On The Columbia River, William L. Lang
History Faculty Publications and Presentations
Someone new to the Pacific Northwest and seeing the Columbia River for the first time could have no idea what the Great River of the West looked like before the building of the big dams. The Columbia's character and its muscle are generally hidden from view, deep in the old river channel and in the guts of machines that span the river like stair steps, from Bonneville Dam near Portland to Mica Dam at the river's far northern turn in British Columbia.
Describing A New Environment: Lewis And Clark And Enlightenment Science In The Columbia River Basin, William L. Lang
Describing A New Environment: Lewis And Clark And Enlightenment Science In The Columbia River Basin, William L. Lang
History Faculty Publications and Presentations
As part of a special issue of the 'Oregon Historical Quarterly,' examines the scientific aspect of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, focusing on the gathering, cataloging, and describing of plants and animals in the Columbia River Basin. Instructed by Thomas Jefferson to gather information on new species of plants and animals, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark collected specimens as they crossed the Continental Divide and entered the Columbia River Basin. Although Lewis generally held a negative view of the Indians the expedition encountered, he recorded their use of fish, plants, and game animals, and the Corps of Discovery traded with …
The Columbia River's Fate In The Twentieth Century, William L. Lang
The Columbia River's Fate In The Twentieth Century, William L. Lang
History Faculty Publications and Presentations
Discusses the history of the Columbia River during the 20th century, emphasizing the image of the river as both a source of industry and an example of wild natural beauty. In 1933 the river was dammed to harness its power for hydroelectricity and control its unpredictable flooding. With the completion of the dams in the 1970's, however, came problems with the edenic vision of the river, especially with the annual salmon run. By the late 20th century, the salmon had all but disappeared, leading to an ongoing conflict between supporters of the dams and conservationists.
Lewis And Clark On The Columbia River: The Power Of Landscape In The Exploration Experience, William L. Lang
Lewis And Clark On The Columbia River: The Power Of Landscape In The Exploration Experience, William L. Lang
History Faculty Publications and Presentations
During their 1804-06 transcontinental expedition, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark expected that the Columbia River and its tributaries would provide relatively easy passage to the Pacific Coast. Instead, they encountered a formidable barrier of raging waters and disjunctive ecological zones. Continuous frustrations caused the explorers to offer harsh judgments of the landscape and some of the Indians, whom they labeled as primitive and treacherous. These descriptions contrasted greatly with their more positive portrayals of landscape and peoples encountered elsewhere during the trip.