Is Celilo Falls still intact? | Oregon Field Guide

Celilo Falls have been at the center of an emotional controversy in the Pacific Northwest more than 50 years. Celilo Falls disappeared when the Columbia River was dammed, but some tribal members believe the government blew it up first.
See new, history-making images which settle the matter.
(In the captions for this story, at :48 seconds, Enchuwana should read Nch’i-Wána. We regret the error.)
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[@novemberecho3807]

The sound of the falls fading must have been heartbreaking. The silence afterwards would have been unsettling.

[@russellzauner]

I can't imagine how the people felt watching the Three Gorges Dam in China destroy villages and temples that had existed for thousands of years. We have other forms of power generation now and many other less damaging sites, we can do without this one.

[@regnar19881]

The sounds of the river were replaced by the sounds of their big screen TVs running on that new clean energy.

[@curtisowen3233]

Every time I drive by there I try to imagine the thousands of years and the countless peoples that came and shared in the resources of those bountiful falls. Thought to be one if not the longest perpetually inhabited place in the Americas, we're talking tens of thousands of years of history. I'm happy to hear its relatively preserved there under the surface.

[@reginaromsey]

The US (us, that is us,) has many treaties that have been signed that need to be honored.

[@GeologyNick]

Very important. Beautifully presented. Is this a new video? If yes, I'd like to contact those responsible for making it.

[@NightShade1161]

Hey I was wondering if you found out mr z ? I will try to find out who you could connect if you have not. Good day

[@russellzauner]

No, it's not. Sonar shows Celilo Falls are intact Published: Nov. 27, 2008, 11:38 p.m. By Joe Rojas-Burke, The Oregonian OPB or Oregon Field Guide likely has the original footage up on their site somewhere. If you email any of the involved I am sure they can find the actual cameraman if that's what you're asking. OPB/Oregon Field Guide always have *stunning* content, visually. Congrats to them for managing to keep good producers/directors on staff; some of the cinematography is IMAX worthy and has been shot as such.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Big Nick🎉

[@michaelschneider2874]

I remember seeing these falls in 1952 or 1953 ! I was about 6 or 7 years old .

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

God bless u

[@billhuffman4327]

Salmon migrated 900 miles upstream, to Idaho.. Salmon fed tribes all the way upstream.

[@stopthehate9102]

Salmon are still above the damn . It's a very popular place to fish. If you're not local . Shut up . Come up here and talk to the natives instead of two or three handpicked people paid to complain and sound sad.

[@rockytalkndawoods3057]

@@stopthehate9102 the irony in the name and comment. Lol Of course there's still fish all the way up to the last lake but nothing like before the dams.

[@michaelcoogan2882]

​@@stopthehate9102😊ᣣ

[@hia5235]

@@rockytalkndawoods3057 Without the electricity from dams, these Natives wouldnt have their casinos that they all get checks from. Today's natives arent victims: they get free money.

[@Ivan-pl2it]

I was raised in The Dalles, that may have been my father's car in the picture of down town. I went to school with many native Americans but was to young to realize what those falls actually meant to these people. It was there culture, history and an unbelievable food source. Very sad story.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Did you know del Wilson

[@NightShade1161]

This makes my heart hurt!

[@Liss1122]

I absolutely love these peoples passion and love for natural resources..We need more people who care with such love and passion as they do.

[@beebester4106]

I'm trying so hard to be positive, but wow what a tragedy flooding a historical landmark that has been a meeting/fishing/trading place for thousands of years what a shame.

[@shirleyandrews1152]

I’m with you. Positivity is more difficult for me. I’m 80 & have seen too much damage.

[@haroldplante8287]

There's so much to see in Oregon, it's a special land. Thr Rougue, the N&S Umquah River, Crater Lake, the seven unique waterfalls, Colliding River, all masterpieces.

[@RA-mg3ue]

best motorcycle ridding in the world - i saw several thousand miles of oregon from the seat of my beloved vfr - absolutely stunning almost every where -

[@brookeshaffer4377]

Just devastating😥

[@hross5631]

When fusion becomes possible, the dam can be removed, and the river, and the lives that surround it, can begin the process of regenerating...

[@mochiebellina8190]

Put the bong down.

[@markstevenson6635]

Fusion power is always just a decade away

[@theecentralscrutinizer9978]

Power isn't the only issue. The navigable sea route feeds the world.... Barges move massive amounts of Palouse hard red winter to market down the Columbia and Snake only because of the dams. I'm not presenting an opinion on it, just stating relative facts you should have next time before commenting as to save a little self esteem.

[@danielcraft3727]

Was a railroad foreman over the tracks seen at beginning showing Celilo Park. A nice lunch spot and used to imagine what the falls were like. A shame the loss of the Salmon runs.

[@Lure-Benson]

What do you mean loss of Salmon runs? The Columbia still has salmon - Steelhead and sea run trout runs. You can see fish passage numbers over all of the Columbia River dams on the Oregon fish & game web site.

[@danielcraft3727]

@@Lure-Benson young or dumb or both. Salmon runs collapsing from northern California to Alaska and you see a few fish through glass at Bonneville and catch a couple along the rivers and creeks of the lower river and think the whole world revolves around a couple of miles.

[@Lure-Benson]

@@danielcraft3727 You couldn't be more stupid and ignorant talking crap to a professional fishing guide and outfitter within business since 1978. I was born in Portland Kizer Hospital in 1959. I have worked continuously as my only income from guiding clients from the Pacific NW to Alaska.

[@RA-mg3ue]

i was at that damn and took in the fish show - hanging out i met the fish counter who invited into the special room with the glass to see and count the fish - our new friend was in charge of counting the fish as they swam by the window you site - he was older maybe retired he counted the number of fish going upstream

[@Lure-Benson]

@@RA-mg3ue The Columbia River dams fish viewing centers are open to the public so you can stop with attempt to make out the public fish passage viewing rooms as something you have to be invited to see. The fish counter rooms are close off to the public

[@LisaBeergutHolst]

All dams come down eventually.

[@russellzauner]

This was done some years ago - it's a shame that we're only getting some traction on it now. We don't need that dam. We do need our falls. Remove the dam. It's time. Long past. Sonar shows Celilo Falls are intact Published: Nov. 27, 2008, 11:38 p.m. By Joe Rojas-Burke, The Oregonian

[@lindapettibone9042]

This is so heartbreaking. My heart hurts with you

[@NoHair-pk3xg]

When you go to Celilo, take a canoe and paddle across the river from the campground to the North shore. You will FEEL the river beneath you. It's much stronger in two places. This is the truth. Nothing more.

[@nancyhamer949]

Wonderful inspiring documentary. Thank you.

[@daleleavitt]

This is heartening for me. I had traveled past the falls when I was 3 years old but I don't remember it. It will probably not be restored during my lifetime but someday I hope that it will. Maybe the salmon runs will return as well.....when all the dams are taken out on the Columbia River System. One can only hope.

[@tonypadilla1330]

Thank you 🙏!

[@DeniseSkinner68DeniseSkinner68]

Hello my friend and thanks for your time in creating this video 📹

[@robforrester3727]

It really depends on what's more important: restoring tribal fishing rights, or being able to take a ship full of cars up to Spokane. For the moment, we know where the priority falls.

[@theecentralscrutinizer9978]

Lewiston, actually.

[@kcp7042]

Ships don’t go farther than the Tri-Cites on the Columbia.

[@theecentralscrutinizer9978]

@@kcp7042 barges travel 465 miles from Cape Disappointment to the Port of Lewiston.... And Spokane is 90 miles away from the Snake due South.

[@Lure-Benson]

Only tugs pushing barges run the upper Columbia not ships.

[@kcp7042]

@@Lure-Benson how? None of the dams above McNary have locks? And I don’t think a tug could maneuver the Hanford reach.

[@davec9244]

Good job showing there is two sides to every story. Weather it was ALL worth it, only time will tell. I feel mother earth will heal and the fall will return in time. Unfortunately, we may not see it, and then the tears of happiness and gain will replace the tear of sadness and lost. thank you stay safe.

[@davidburns3480]

how tragic us white folks broke every treaty we made with the tribes - i am old enough to remember stopping at celilo and being amazed even as a child at the spectacular power,beauty and historical signifience of this special place. the corps has strangled the poor columbia making it just a long serious of slack wate poinds to power video games and microwaves. i will never forget Proxmire's statement that - every spring the corps of engineers become beavers and start searching for a place to put up another dam.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Speak for yourself. I've broke no treaties.

[@OddsandEnds]

RIP falls you will be missed

[@bludeetu321]

Future progress... maybe it should include removing the infrastructure we built in the past. There are now many better and less impactful ways to meet electricity needs. We live on an average sized suburban block and have all the power we need from some panels on the roof. It's not an impossible to realise the dream of environmental restoration and recovery. Just my thoughts. Thanks for considering.

[@carpo719]

I wish I could believe that is tenable, maybe one day in the future. I don't think solar panels would supply enough power for industry in the area. Maybe individual houses. It also the solar panel industry is extremely dirty and polluting, it seems there's no easy way

[@bludeetu321]

@@carpo719 As long as we all just keep trying!

[@adamhauskins6407]

Theres a perfect solution and It's called a nuclear power plant

[@bludeetu321]

@@adamhauskins6407 Absolutely, in some places. But carefully! :-)

[@ColumbiaB]

I’m surprised there was a question about whether the ACE had destroyed the falls by blasting around 1956 or ’57 - presumably, either shortly before or shortly after inundation. From the first-hand testimony in this video, we surely know the falls were not destroyed before inundation. Several people say that they constantly heard the roar of the falls, all their lives, until the lake rose, and then there was no noise but the wind. (See, e.g., 6:36-7:32.) That •surely• means that the falls were not destroyed before inundation. What about after inundation? That’s not inconceivable, but if the ACE wanted to destroy the falls, why would they wait until it required underwater demolition - something that’s always more difficult and costly than open-air blasting? Moreover, I recall seeing photos in newspapers (and maybe even tv news footage) in the 1970s, or perhaps the early ’80s, at some point when repairs of some sort on The Dalles Dam required that the reservoir be drawn down considerably. The level of the lake got so low that the upper portions of the falls were visible for the first time in decades. Quite a few vertical feet were exposed. The now-rare sight was a major local-interest story, so it got plenty of press - and, obviously, made it clear that the falls had not been blasted out of existence. So, how come no one remembered that episode, when rumors started popping up that the falls had been destroyed?! I’m certainly glad we have the proof that the falls are still there, albeit submerged. But it’s puzzling that rumors to the contrary got much traction, and persisted for even a little while.

[@zakstone9821]

I wonder if for 2-4 days once every year they could lower the water and let the falls live for a few days and then cover it back up to return shipping and hydro back. It’s sad that so much changed from these dams.

[@JETZcorp]

I read that they actually floated this idea to the tribes. They rejected it because the sight of Celilo getting flooded would be more tragic than getting to see it again. Also, I suspect that the dam has a physical limit to how low they can drain the pondage, so probably it would still be very deep and mostly flooded (I'm guessing). I'm hoping that one day the nation will have enough clean power that some Columbia dams can start to be removed. This one gets my vote for the first to go. If they could find a way to get salmon past Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee, that would be a huge deal too.

[@gibbyrockerhunter]

An old mountain man named Grizz (like grizzly bear)told me about pulling salmon from those waters. The pictures always amazed me.

[@NFS305]

The army general seems a bit proud for giving crumbs to the natives. Would be nice to restore it. All the people deserve to experience pristine natural resources.

[@mackpines]

Such beautiful people. Celilo Falls was such an iconic landmark of the Columbia and for Native Americans. Shame the govt. had to put a dam there. I say remove only The Dalles Dam so the falls would come back. We do need the other dams for hydropower (does anyone really want coal or nuclear power instead?) and we need the dams for the safe navigation of ships. No ships mean more diesel trucks on the road and more air pollution. If we could somehow make a new, larger shipping canal for vessels, and remove only The Dalles Dam, it would be an incredible site to see and hear the roar of Celilo Falls again.

[@jacobpeak9895]

Nuclear Power Is Better

[@hotttt28]

What about the possibility of restoring Celilo Falls?

[@peterdorn5799]

I have hope and a dream to see the Celilo falls return

[@jordanhamann9123]

I wonder if they could empty the reservoir for one week per year. Paltry recompense, but still

[@myrnaparjani1910]

I was there at this time. My friends Dad had a popcorn wagon for the occasion.

[@mchurch3905]

The promise kept was the promise to take native lands.

[@janefinley-english1051]

💔💔💔

[@francesacoy4730]

Several obsolete dams on the Columbia are supposed to be removed. Fish ladders on the existing ones could help as well

[@heatherkaye8653]

Sad history. I hope one day all dams could be removed to allow nature to reclaim what it needs to. There is no doubt the dam was placed there as an insult and way to control the native peoples. I am not native, but still am called to say a prayer every time I go thru Celilo.

[@stopthehate9102]

We live here. Removing the dam is such a stupid idea it's hard to understand your thinking . I guess you don't mind walking by Celilo, or using candles and wood instead of electric.

[@heatherkaye8653]

@@stopthehate9102 there are other ways. 💚

[@stopthehate9102]

@@heatherkaye8653 the other way I see is for y'all to stay in your own yuppy neighborhood. The dam provides hundreds of jobs and accommodates the fish fine. Don't believe all the crap you see on t.v. . Come meet the real natives that live up here. You'll see this is ridiculous. They fish above the dam and catch so many that they litter the ground with them . Of course modern fishing gear, speed boats and expensive nylon nets private fishing grounds , docs and times help. Monthly checks from the government and a fat check when they turn 18. They are so abused .

[@lethrbear32]

@@stopthehate9102 We didnt have solar, and wind power in the days the dams were built. They don't do anything but block the flow of the river now. It's obsolete technology.

[@stopthehate9102]

@@lethrbear32 you really think that power plants don't do anything anymore ? You think we actually use any of the power produced by the windmills ? It's sent to California ! Solar only works in the sun. After that it's powered by diesel. You really need to get your facts straight. Flower power isn't going to work here Otto.

[@johnskender4386]

so sad what we have become. how can we all fix it?

[@khiem1939]

My uncle, who worked a power shovel, erroneous called a "steam shovel", spent several years living at Cascade Locks digging up that burial island! He said he would work a few minutes with the machine unearthing remains, then the tribal members would retrieve the remains of their ancestors and then he would work a few minutes more and the retrieval of remains would continue! He did this for a couple of years!

[@darrellhanks6459]

@opb let’s see an in depth look at the Snake River damns and their removal and the ever declining Salmon and Steelhead numbers decade after decade.

[@AlaskaIce]

What a crime!😢

[@TRUTHandLIGHT4809]

Things change. We can't keep things like there is only a few people running around

[@mattalley4330]

I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t still be there. Probably pretty filled with sediment, which would clear out fast enough if they were brought back.

[@kcp7042]

How did Native Americans fish the falls before settlers? All the pictures and videos I’ve seen show processed wood planks and posts. Did they fish from the rocks or build scaffolding from trees?

[@aharanha]

No expert here, but I do know the Native Americans of the PNW were skilled woodworkers, e.g. totem poles, dugout oceangoing canoes, and longhouses made from split cedar planks.

[@dougwalker4944]

.another reason for tom mccall to be the best governor oregon has ever known..he understood the people.

[@joseywilds3133]

Photo shop can do anything

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

Rip celilo

[@ellen4956]

The Corps of Engineers should put up windmills to make the electricity and take out that dam. It doesn't need to be there anymore, if it ever did. Now that other rivers are getting so low in water it might not work anyway if you wait a few years. Why not start now to find an alternative and give these people back their heritage.

[@andybaldman]

If you want the cities you live in, something needed to provide the power to build and power them. Hence the dams.

[@jimpikoulis6726]

I do hope that in the near future all the dams along the Columbia will be removed and fish can once again repopulate the Columbia River basin.

[@Drj2021]

what's new.

[@carlhayes-ze5nd]

If people continue to embrace electricity with the confused believe that electricity is a clean option. these falls will never be seen again.

[@terinorton9462]

Remove the dams and give the river back to the fish and the River People! We can't wait hundreds of years to return things back to the way they should be our climate will not allow the delay

[@timothyberglund2528]

It's time to remove the damn that's clouding up. Cellio falls

[@fubartotale3389]

They learned that from the bears.

[@tommytwotoes3880]

It's called progress.

[@timothyberglund2528]

They should remove the dallas dam and see if it's still there. They don't need that damn anymore. Look at the l Wall River. It's changed a lot of things and say took that damn out. Those two damns there at the old wall River up in the Olympic peninsula changes. The only thing that's constant. It's time to take the dalles damn down

[@lethrbear32]

Now, let's take out the Dalles dam.

[@TheLoginzoom]

Yes and build wind, nuclear and solar, and tidal to replace it.

[@adamhauskins6407]

@@TheLoginzoom nuclear will do,

[@scott4482]

Yeah, under 200 feet of water

[@BushyHairedStranger]

The Roar of Celilo roar could be heard again with strategically placed “items” at specific corp of engineers locations,..it SHOULD happen.

[@peterdorn5799]

take Dalles dam out, and replace the energy with small modular reators built by nuscale in Corvallis Oregon, to be made commercial available 2025

[@kirkstewart-vf6hg]

My father grew up in old vancover in the early 1930s he knew the falls well. They must realease the falls from its watery grave tear out the dams and bring the salmon back. It was the death knoll of the salmon and the confederated tribes to bury the falls . Release her now!!

[@defeatSpace]

The world is always changing and if you don't change with it, then you are left behind, likewise if you go against progression, you will be destroyed.

[@defeatSpace]

And on the bright side, if the U.S. ever demolishes the dam, the falls will return because the underlying geography of the falls remains intact.

[@rlbrown4013]

Do you live on the west coast? Are you watching this on your screen powered by electricity?

[@normanj4007]

bruh it's just a waterfall

[@bradwright2841]

Get rid of the Dalles dam it’s bullshit from the beginning I’ve been a citizen of Oregon my whole life I’m 68 years old and it needs to be gone

[@kylehoward4636]

How is it bullshit? Where do you expect your power came from?

[@TheLoginzoom]

@@kylehoward4636 wind, solar, nuclear

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

​@@TheLoginzoomwind and solar won't cover your needs but they will cover the land.

[@gordontaras]

its not necessary to understand the history of the fall before showing the scientific results.

[@ASmithee67]

We're supposed to demo working dams to restore the Celilo Falls? What are the tradeoffs and benefits of do so? Is this really a priority of the tribe vs. everything else?

[@davidoran123]

the ancient culture there was destroyed deliberately.

[@mochiebellina8190]

Some people remain bitter and it has destroyed their ability to adapt to daily, no less future endeavours. Look at the black people and those in this video as perfect examples. All the payments in the world and still they flounder. And Im a native American

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

I have family that still despise the Brits for crimes of the past. I simply don't have the energy to waste on that. Cheers

[@valerianthemackiii5896]

If we had Tesla Technology of green wireless energy. This wouldn't have happend.

[@warriordragonify]

Inverse Square Law...

[@rockytalkndawoods3057]

Technically we do as humans have that technology but money drove those decisions not science.

[@Mags120fish1]

No doubt the Native American people got the shaft.

[@jeffgilligan2004]

Build new nuclear plants and remove the damn.

[@PunaSquirrel]

3:06 The Rock Island dam was built in 1933. It was the first dam on the Columbia River. What other facts are incorrect in this splendid documentary?

[@OregonCannabisGrower]

The dam will be removed in 2049

[@mikefogle7681]

Why don't we just build them a new one

[@scroogemcduckismyspiritanimal]

Is this a serious question?

[@deansmits006]

...a new celilo falls?

[@shirleyandrews1152]

What the earth needs is another asteroid to start all over again but with no humans.

[@AKSnowbat907]

I don't understand why we cater to the defeated? World history and the like shows, to the victor goes the spoils.

[@dougbosworth8745]

That is the problem with the computer is it only exists in the computer. what a scam

[@robertmajka9]

That's it, keep living in the past.

[@jaredstark231]

it's a shame that white people have guilt over this

[@rockytalkndawoods3057]

As they should.

[@trwsandford]

I don’t. I wasn’t born yet.

[@rockytalkndawoods3057]

@@trwsandford yet you reap the benefits of it? Huh.

[@trwsandford]

Rocky @talkndawoods as do you

[@rockytalkndawoods3057]

@@trwsandford I'm not the electric company or related to anyone that is. Nor is destroying a fisherie a benefit. 😉

[@donaldharlan3981]

lies

[@stopthehate9102]

Oh please. It's a pretty small community. Come talk to the real natives that live here. Ask them what they think about it . This is more pull at your heart make-believe drama.

[@deansmits006]

Yeah I guess they don't matter... Way to miss the point of the film.

[@stopthehate9102]

@@deansmits006 no you miss the the real point white boy.

[@rockytalkndawoods3057]

@@stopthehate9102 stop the actual hate 😂😂😂

[@stopthehate9102]

@@rockytalkndawoods3057 We live here. Hate is perpetuated in this story. Just not the hate you prefer. The damn still produces electricity and employs many locals including natives who have special fishing rights here as well. Most of them make a decent living fishing out of a boat. The falls were actually dangerous. Nobody up here benefits from the windmills unless it's built on your property. None of the electricity is used here either. We rely on the damn.

[@geramimi2526]

Poachers...

[@Hypothetic_High_Poetic]

It’s called subsistence fishing. Go to school.

[@trevorholm6470]

For thousands of years they fished those falls.. europeans took a couple centuries to ruin almost every fishery in the country

[@mschrank1]

Are you seriously describing the tribal members "poachers"? That's an ignorant and disgusting term to use in this case,

[@cburns1398]

Racist...

[@mikefogle7681]

Why don't we just build them a new one