Near The Dalles in Wasco County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Ancient Indian Fishing Grounds
Wyam Falls
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 1, 2010
1. Ancient Indian Fishing Grounds Marker
Captions: (center left) Long-handled nest caught Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho Salmon.; (upper right) Natives (Indians) fishing the Falls prior to dam construction.; (bottom right) Chief Tommy Thompson 1853-1959 (?) For many years Thompson headed the group of tribal leaders who supervised fishing at the Falls.
Before a network of dams controlled the Columbia River it was a raging torrent. Here at Wyam Falls, known today as Celilo Falls, a vertical drop of more than 20 feet and sheer basalt bluffs on either shore forced the river into seething, boiling rapids.
From time immemorial this region comprised the fishing grounds of all Indian tribes of the middle Columbia River area. Early Indians speared huge salmon while on the rocks and their descendants built platforms over the rushing waters from which they gathered fish in long-handled nets. These fishing grounds and the right to take fish from the Columbia River were reserved in 1855 treaties between the tribes and the United States.
Dam construction, which began in the 1930s, forever altered the rivers character. When The Dalles Dam was completed in 1957, the storage basin behind it filled in above the falls and inundated the fishing grounds. Treaty reserved fishing rights, however, continue to be exercised by Indian people of the middle Columbia River area. The loss of Wyam Falls did not mean the loss of the Indian way of life.
Erected by Oregon Department of Transportation
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Charity & Public Work • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Beaver Boards series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 45° 39.003′ N, 120° 57.632′ W. Marker is near The Dalles, Oregon, in Wasco County. It can be reached from Celilo Park Road 0.1 miles south of Celilo-Wasco Highway (Oregon Road 206), on the right when traveling west. Celilo Park Road becomes the parking lot for Celilo Park. The marker is on eastern side of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: The Dalles OR 97058, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Cascade Range, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 1, 2010
2. Wide view of the Ancient Indian Fishing Grounds Marker
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 1, 2010
3. Lake Celilo
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 2, 2010
4. Modern Day Fishing on the Columbia River
Like many generations before him, fishing with a dip net is practiced on the Columbia River. Now rather the Celilo Falls, the fishing is done at more tranquil settings like here at Cascade Locks.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,991 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 19, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 20, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
