Coverage involving the Columbia River, its dams, ecology, and regional policies
WDFW has approved a one-day recreational smelt dip on the Cowlitz River for Feb. 18, citing strong run indicators and outlining rules, limits, and safety expectations for local dip‑netters.
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A body was pulled from the Columbia River near Camas, taken to Chinook Landing in Fairview for examination by the medical examiner. At this writing, identity and cause of death remain unreleased. Further updates are pending from the medical examiner and law enforcement.
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Friends of Vancouver Lake, the community‑based nonprofit focused on restoring and preserving Vancouver Lake’s environmental and recreational vitality, announced last...
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Snowpack levels across much of the Western U.S., including Oregon, are plunging to historic lows, putting a strain on water...
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Local historian John Drury presents his program on Captain George Flavel tonight at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum as part of the First Thursday series.
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An AP and FRONTLINE investigation reveals decades of PFAS pollution by Georgia’s carpet industry—offering a stark warning for industrial communities like those in Cowlitz County, where similar risks quietly persist.
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The U.S. Army Corps has awarded a $35.9 million contract to raise the Mount St. Helens Sediment Retention Structure by 10 feet—aimed at reducing flood risk and river clogging in Cowlitz County, with construction anticipated from summer 2026 through October 2027.
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After weeks of dry weather, the Cascades finally got a healthy dose of snow this week, bringing relief to ski areas and water managers across southwest Washington.
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Federal SNOTEL data from the Mt Hood Test Site shows snow water equivalent holding near 10 inches in mid-January 2026, underscoring a warm-winter pattern that can ripple into Southwest Washington’s summer drought and wildfire risk.
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Sen. Ron Wyden is scheduled to hold an open-to-all town hall in Columbia County, Oregon, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Scappoose High School—an event likely to draw some Lower Columbia residents from across the river.
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