the Indian Quaker ruins in the foreground contrasted with the Columbia River Dam at the Dalles,OR for the best shot of some travels in the northwest last week.
Very interesting grouping of old and new, thanks
Great contrast between the modern dam and the ancient ruins - wonderful shot!
ngrea
Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland
When I was growing up in Portland we frequently visited the Dalles. Before the they built the dam there was a beautiful falls (Celilo Falls) where the Native Americans from the region gathered every year to catch salmon during their run upstream to spawn. They built wooden platforms on the cliffs and used long dipnets to pull the fish from the river as the fish were trying to jump the falls. During fishing season the fishermen and their families lived in shacks nearby. There was an overhead trolly with a small box that transported fish from the island in the middle of the river to the people processing the salmon on the Oregon-side river bank.
The dam has a fish ladder and windows to watch the fish, but it is a major obstacle and there are not as many fish as before. The loss of the fishing ground was also a major economic blow to the families.
thanks for filling in a bit of the history. I would have loved to see the area prior to the dam. the entire ride along the Columbia was terrific.
ngrea
Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland
Ike Gittlen wrote:
thanks for filling in a bit of the history. I would have loved to see the area prior to the dam. the entire ride along the Columbia was terrific.
If you google Celilo Falls you will see many photographs. My father painted the scene and the painting has always been one of my favorites, partly because the area has changed so much.
Interesting shot, tells a story of contrasts!
The fishing platforms still exist and are used. They are closer to the dam, east of these structures.
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