Willamette River Confluence

Quick Facts

Location:

N Marine Drive and Lombard Street, Portland, Oregon

MANAGED BY:

City of Portland

Amenities

5 listed

Beach/Water Access, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

Willamette River Confluence is a High Potential Historic Site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Lewis and Clark had twice unknowingly passed the mouth of the Willamette River (called Multnomah by them); first while outbound on November 4, 1805, and again on March 30, 1806. However, while encamped opposite the Sandy River Delta on April 2, 1806, Clark learned from two natives of “a large river which dis­charges itself into the Columbia on it’s South Side Some Miles below us. […] they drew [a sketch] on a Mat with a coal, it appeared that this river which they Call Mult-no’-mah discharged itself behind the Island we call the image Canoe island, and as we had left this Island to the South both in decending & assending the river we had never Seen it. they informed us that it was a large river and runs a Considerable distance to the South between the Mountains. I deturmined to take a Small party and return to this river and examine its Size and Collect as much information of the nativs on it or near its enterance into the Columbia of its extent, the Country which it waters and the nativs who inhabit its banks.” Clark, with six men and a guide, explored about seven miles up the Willamette River. Clark favorably noted, “The Current […] is as jentle as that of the Columbia glides Smoothly with an eavin surface, and appears to be Sufficiently deep for the larg­est Ship.” He returned to camp on April 3.

The landscape character has altered significantly since 1806 due to riverfront industrialization and channel dredging. However, public access to a more natural setting at the confluence is found at Kelly Point Park, with beachfronts along both rivers, walking paths, and picnic areas.