, 1860-03-16
WASHINGTON TERRITORY:
Historical, Geographical and Statistic
BY THE GATHERER.
RIVERS OF WASHINGTON.

RIVERS OF WASHINGTON.
The Columbia is to the western coast o.
the American contenent what the Missis
sippi is to the Atlantic slope-the princi.
nal river, not only Of Washington and Ore.
gon but of the Pacific coast, and the only
river south of the 49th parallel which ex
tends far into the interior and draining an
extensive country.
The source Of this great river is in two
lakes which interlock with the sources oI
the Kootanie or Flat-bow river, in latitude
500 90 north and longitude ll60 west Ii
flows northward to latitude 520 TO-, where
il unites with stream which has its source
in small lake in the Rocky mountains
called the PunchboWl The scenery in
this vicinity for sublimity and grandeur is
unsurpassed To the south of the Punch.
bowl Mt Hooker lifts its snow-capped
head Is, 100 feet; while TO the north, Mt
Brown rises to an elevation of 10000 feet,
their SUBMITS covered with perpetual SHOWS.
In this vicinity is one of the sources of Fra
zer river. Below the point where the stream
from the Puhchbowl joins the Columbia,
:
union Of the three forming the main Colum-
bia Its course is thence south, through
immense canyons and between lofty mount
L aims, until in about latitude 5l9 north it
expands into line Of lakes extending some
IS miles, to point near where the Koo-
tanie river joins it, in latitude 49' 80.-
The surroundings Of the most northern Of
these lakes are rough mountain cragS, and
cliffs covered with dense forests Of pine,
while the most southern has in its vicinity
small praries Of excellent soil, and forests
Of magnificent timber. a. .#
From the junction of the Kootanie river,
the Columbia continues its course south,
until in about latitude 48o So it receives
the Flathead or Clarke's river. This river
has its rise in the Rocky mountains, in
about latitude 44o, and not far from the
extreme headquarters Of the Missouri. 1t
flows in q north-northwest direction until
it expands into Lake Kullespelm, between
which, and its junction with the Columbia,
its banks are covered with a fne growth
Of timber, while at q distance on either
side rises a line Of lofty hills. The soil is
fertile, and with the exceptiohof one small
cascade, the river is navigable From the
Lake, its course is northwest until it unites
with the Columbia, which here, passing a
ridge Of mountains, plunges over beds Of
quartz rock, forming what are known as
Kettle Falls, These are series Of rapids
with an aggregate fall of about fifty feet,
the river forcing its way over rocky bed
until it reaches the main fall Of some IF
teen feet, where the commotion produced
in the waters below resemble the boiling Of
kettle, hence the name. Fort Colvile is
near these falls, and short distance below
is Thompson's Rapids, commencing at the
mouth Of Mill river and extending some
distance below. Thirty-6ve miles from this
point the Columbia, making a great bend
to the west, receives the Spokane river
from the South, in about latitude 49o So,
longitude 1889 90. This river has its
source in the CeRr d'Alene Lake, below
which, at distance Of six miles, are the
Little Falls. Some distance below these,
several other falls occur, together with a
stretch Of rapids, all within a distance ol
half mile, having total fall Of about 100
feet. The scenery on the Spokane is fine,
and on its southern banks are numerous
desirable and beautiful locations for settle,
ment The soil is good, aud the high
lands are covered with fine growth Of nu.
tritiOus grass and sparsely timbered with
pine, In the surrounding country, are val
leys and plains producing an abundance oI
grazing, bordered by belts of good timber
From the junction of the Spokane, the
Columbia has an irregular but a genera
westward course, until in latitude 470 To-
longitude ll90 40, it receives the Okana
gan river, flowing in from the north. III
source is in liue of lakes commencing il
about latitude 500, and its course south
southwest, receiving several small river!
and creeks from either side. The country
@generally sterile through which it flows
win the exception of some small valley
which produce very good grazing Thi
stream is navigable for boats for some dis
lance, but unlike most other rivers in thu
region, is dull and turbid. Here its moutl
Is about 300 feet wide /; the Columbia a
Tue junction being 1000 feet from shore tC
shore. From this point, the Columbia, re
Sumng its general southerly direction anC
passing over Ross, Bucklaud'S and Presrt