The Lower Columbia River Watershed

The Lower Columbia River Watershed Council serves the Lower Columbia River Watershed, a 298-square-mile area along the Columbia River in Columbia County, Oregon. This landscape is where forests, farms, wetlands, and rural communities connect to one of the most important river systems in the Pacific Northwest.

Our watershed includes three closely linked subbasins: Plympton Creek Frontal Columbia River, Clatskanie River, and Beaver Creek Frontal Columbia River. Streams in these subbasins flow through working lands and natural areas before reaching the Columbia River, shaping local ecosystems and supporting the people who live and work here.

All of our watersheds are influenced by the greater Columbia River Estuary ecosystem, where freshwater from inland rivers meets tidal waters connected to the Pacific Ocean. This estuarine influence affects water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and the health of the river system as a whole.

Why This Watershed Matters

• Supports fish and wildlife — including salmon and other species that rely on healthy rivers, wetlands, and estuarine connections

• Sustains local communities — by protecting clean water, productive lands, and resilient ecosystems

• Connects land to river — recognizing that what happens upstream affects the Columbia River and downstream habitats

• Fosters shared stewardship — bringing landowners, residents, and partners together to care for the place we call home