The Willamette River is one of the most important features in the history and growth of Portland. It is unique because it flows north, one of the few major rivers in the United States that does so.
The Willamette begins in the mountains south of Eugene and travels more than 180 miles before joining the Columbia River near Portland. This northward flow has always made Portland an important link between Oregon’s inland valley and the Pacific Ocean.
The river has shaped Portland’s economy, transportation, and way of life since the beginning. Long before settlers arrived, Native people such as the Chinook, Multnomah, and Clackamas lived along its banks and traveled using canoes. They used the river for fishing, trading, and travel, especially during the salmon runs that provided food for entire communities. The Willamette was also a gathering and trading route that connected different villages along its shores.
When settlers arrived in the mid-1800s, the Willamette River became a lifeline for the new community. Early Portland grew up along its west bank because ships could reach it from the Pacific Ocean through the Columbia River. Steamboats traveled up and down the river, carrying supplies, lumber, and farm goods. The river made it possible for Portland to become a major port and trading center, connecting the inland farms of the Willamette Valley with markets around the world.
Before bridges were built, people crossed the river using ferries which charged fees for their services. One of the first was the Stark Street Ferry, which began operating in the 1850s. Ferries carried wagons, horses, and people across the river, though the ride could be slow or dangerous during floods. As the city grew on both sides of the river, people needed faster and safer ways to cross. This led to the construction of bridges, which became key to Portland’s development.
The first bridge across the Willamette River was the Morrison Bridge, built in 1887. It was a wooden drawbridge that opened for ships to pass underneath.
Initially it was a toll bridge. Rates: horse-drawn rig 15 cents, team of horses 20 cents and pedestrians 5 cents. Soon more bridges followed, connecting Portland’s east and west sides and helping neighborhoods expand. Over time, Portland became known as the “City of Bridges.”
Willamette River Bridges in Portland
| Bridge Name | Year Built | Notes |
| Morrison Bridge | 1887 (rebuilt 1958) | First bridge across the Willamette River |
| Steel Bridge | 1888 (current one 1912) | Double-deck bridge for cars, trains, and pedestrians |
| Burnside Bridge | 1926 | It divides Portland in north and south |
| Hawthorne Bridge | 1910 | Oldest operating vertical-lift bridge in the U.S. |
| Broadway Bridge | 1913 | Connects the Pearl District and Lloyd District |
| Ross Island Bridge | 1926 | Carries Highway 26 across the river |
| Sellwood Bridge | 1925 (rebuilt 2016) | Connects southeast Portland to southwest neighborhoods |
| Marquam Bridge | 1966 | Carries Interstate 5 across the river |
| Fremont Bridge | 1973 | Tallest and longest bridge in Portland |
| Tilikum Crossing | 2015 | Only bridge for light rail, bikes, and pedestrians (no cars) |
Over 100 years ago people used the river for recreation. There were many swimming places established along the river. Boats traveled up and down the river taking people to swim docks and dance pavilions along the river.
But, the way people use the Willamette River started to change in the early 1900s as the river filled with steamboats and shipping docks. Factories, mills, and warehouses lined the waterfront, and for many years, waste from industries and sewers was dumped directly into the water. By the mid-1900s, the river had become badly polluted and swimming was not allowed for over 100 years.
However, starting in the 1970s, Portlanders began to clean up the Willamette River. New laws limited pollution, and community groups worked to restore fish habitat and improve water quality.
Today, swimming, boating, and kayaking are common again, and salmon and otters have returned to parts of the river. The Willamette is now a place for festivals, recreation, and wildlife — a sign of how Portland’s relationship with the river has grown healthier over time.
The Willamette River continues to shape Portland’s identity. It divides the city into east and west sides, provides scenic views, and connects people to nature even in the middle of a busy city.
Its story is a reminder that the same river that once carried steamboats and industry now supports parks, trails, and clean water for everyone to enjoy.
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Discussion Questions:
Which direction is the river flowing? Have students toss sticks into the Willamette River to determine the direction the river flows
Why might ferry boat operators not have been in favor of bridges being built?
Would you enjoy swimming in the river on a hot summer day? Point out the swim dock on the east bank near the Burnside Bridge.
Vocabulary: pollution, steam boats,
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.8. Identify and describe how people in the local community and region use natural resources. Geography
Social Studies 3.9. Describe and explain how people in the community and region interact with the environment. Geography
Social Studies 3.10. Explain how people have adapted to and modified the environment. Geography
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events, and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.16. Identify how people and events of the past have influenced the present. Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.17. Use a variety of historical sources (artifacts, pictures, documents) to identify factual evidence. Historical Thinking