Near Washtucna in Franklin County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Stealing a Stream
When the floods surged across the area, they cut a path through the fractured basalt beneath the Palouse Hills. Today, the river continues to follow the route created by the floods.
Transforming a Landscape
The floods stripped away hundreds of feet of soil and carved a maze of coulees, abandoned river channels, and buttes that extend 11 miles between Washtucna Coulee and the Snake River.
(Center Photo Caption)
Now dry, Washtucna Coulee was once the channel of the Palouse River.
(Right Map Caption)
The floods overwhelmed existing rivers and streams, spilling over the landscape and slamming into the Snake River. Most of the water flowed downriver towards the Columbia River, but some was forced upriver to Lewiston, Idaho and beyond.
Erected by Washington State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 46° 39.811′ N, 118° 13.649′ W. Marker is near Washtucna, Washington, in Franklin County. Marker can be reached from Palouse Falls Road, 2.4 miles west of Washington Highway 261. Marker is located in Palouse Falls State Park at the end of Palouse Falls Road; a entrance fee may be required. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washtucna WA 99371, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Explore Massive Floodscapes! (within shouting distance of this marker); In the Path of Cataclysmic Floods (within shouting distance of this marker); Setting the Stage (within shouting distance of this marker); Overwhelming Proof for an "Outrageous" Theory (within shouting distance of this marker); Small Town, Big Voice (within shouting distance of this marker); M - R Military Road (approx. 4.7 miles away).
Also see . . . Palouse Falls - Wikipedia entry. This article also has links to Wikipedia entries on the Columbia River Basalt Group, the Channeled Scablands, and the Missoula Floods. (Submitted on May 6, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
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