Palouse River
A day filled with flora and fauna, from pelicans to porcupines, blooming Syringa to Western False Indigo, our morning on the Palouse River was full of life. Yellow-headed blackbirds, an Eastern kingbird, and even a raven nesting along cliff edges were spotted. The Palouse River we experienced is much different than when the Corps of Discovery explored the area, nonetheless it was to be bursting with wildlife. In Clark’s journal on October 13, 1805, he writes, “bend, imediately below a long bad rapid about 20 yards between rugid rocks for the distance of a mile and half and a rapid rockey Chanel for 2 miles above.” In the journals the river is referred to as Drewyers River, for Corps member George Drouillard.
Today the river is more subdued and calm, with nothing but a trace of current. With a strong wind, it seems to change the direction of the river. We had an option of kayaking up the river, or taking the easy way, a cruise in our Zodiacs. Those who chose to kayak, paddled their way up stream and watched cliff swallows building their nests out of river mud, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery created by the great Missoula Floods.
After leaving the Palouse River, we headed for Lower Monumental Lock and Dam. The Dam received its name from Monumental Rock, and because the dam is lower (down stream) from the rock, it received the name Lower Monumental. On October 14, 1805, Clark writes about Monumental Rock, referring to it as “Ship Rock” because of its resemblance to a ship. While waiting for the Sea Bird to lock down for the next part of our journey, a lone Mule deer was spotted browsing leisurely on shore.
At dusk we found ourselves at McNary Dam. The rains of the past couple days had contributed to an abundance of runoff, which rushed out of the spillways towards the Pacific Ocean, leading a path in which we follow.
A day filled with flora and fauna, from pelicans to porcupines, blooming Syringa to Western False Indigo, our morning on the Palouse River was full of life. Yellow-headed blackbirds, an Eastern kingbird, and even a raven nesting along cliff edges were spotted. The Palouse River we experienced is much different than when the Corps of Discovery explored the area, nonetheless it was to be bursting with wildlife. In Clark’s journal on October 13, 1805, he writes, “bend, imediately below a long bad rapid about 20 yards between rugid rocks for the distance of a mile and half and a rapid rockey Chanel for 2 miles above.” In the journals the river is referred to as Drewyers River, for Corps member George Drouillard.
Today the river is more subdued and calm, with nothing but a trace of current. With a strong wind, it seems to change the direction of the river. We had an option of kayaking up the river, or taking the easy way, a cruise in our Zodiacs. Those who chose to kayak, paddled their way up stream and watched cliff swallows building their nests out of river mud, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery created by the great Missoula Floods.
After leaving the Palouse River, we headed for Lower Monumental Lock and Dam. The Dam received its name from Monumental Rock, and because the dam is lower (down stream) from the rock, it received the name Lower Monumental. On October 14, 1805, Clark writes about Monumental Rock, referring to it as “Ship Rock” because of its resemblance to a ship. While waiting for the Sea Bird to lock down for the next part of our journey, a lone Mule deer was spotted browsing leisurely on shore.
At dusk we found ourselves at McNary Dam. The rains of the past couple days had contributed to an abundance of runoff, which rushed out of the spillways towards the Pacific Ocean, leading a path in which we follow.
