Sandy River Delta Dam
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this location:
- Sandy River Delta Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.55451, -122.37831
- Elevation: 10 feet
Description
The Sandy River Delta was formed by mudflows originating on Mount Hood and flowing down the Sandy River to the Columbia. The most recent of these mudflows was about the year 1800. By 1900, the delta had been reworked by floods on the Columbia, as well as a constant stream of sediment coming down the Sandy River as the river cleared its channel. The larger part of the river flowed under the railroad and highway bridges and about a half mile north. At that point, it veered east and entered the Columbia River almost two miles east of where it does today. A secondary, smaller channel existed where today's current channel exists.
In 1904, a large flood partially blocked the secondary channel and it began to run dry during the fish runs. In an effort to help fish runs, a dam was built in 1931 that completely blocked the main eastern channel. In this way the river was forced in its entirety into the former secondary channel. The original dam was a 750 foot wide, five foot high barrier constructed of piling. In 1938, the dam was improved to a 10 foot high structure filled with riprap. In time, continuing erosion filled the old river channel with sediment.
In 2013, after much discussion, the dam was removed and the old east channel of the Sandy restored. Hikers can no longer access Sundial Island or the mouth of the Sandy (west channel).
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Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)