Near Pasco, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

At the Confluence

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 13, 2026

1. At the Confluence Marker

Inscription. In October 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers. Upon arriving here, the men wrote in amazement of the uncountable number of salmon. At that time, an estimated 16 million salmon filled these waters every year in a journey of 325 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
In the last 200 years, there have been many changes to the natural condition of the rivers. Today, salmon swimming upriver to native spawning sites must navigate four dams before reaching the confluence. Although greatly reduced in number, the salmon still return each year.

[Captions]
ABOVE
Native salmon species include coho, sockeye, chum and Chinook, seen here. The salmon is a spiritual and cultural resource for some people and a recreational and commercial resource for others.
BELOW
With the help of visiting chiefs, Clark carefully mapped the Columbia River and some of its tributaries - "Lewis's (Snake), "Kosloske" (Clearwater), "Tape tett" (Yakima) and "Wah na a chee" (Wenatċhee) rivers.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1805.

Location. 46° 11.932′ N,

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119° 2.339′ W. Marker is near Pasco in , Washington. It can be reached from Sacajawea Park Road near South Road 40 East. This marker is located in Sacajawea Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2503 Sacajawea Park Road, Pasco WA, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lewis & Clark Camp (a few steps from this marker); Columbia River (within shouting distance of this marker); Snake River (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayor A. P. Gray (within shouting distance of this marker); "Sah-cah-ga-weah" (within shouting distance of this marker); "great Columbia river" (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Snake River Passage & Columbia Plains Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 13, 2026

2. At the Confluence Marker

of all markers in Pasco.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.