Methow River
Encyclopedia
The Methow River is a tributary
of the Columbia River
in northern Washington in the United States
. The river's watershed
is 1890 square miles (4,895.1 km²), with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, with much of the river basin is located in national forests and wildernesses. Many tributaries drain the large Pasayten Wilderness
. An earlier economy based on agriculture is giving way to one based on recreation and tourism.
The river was named after the Methow Native Americans
(today part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation
). The name "Methow" comes from the Okanagan
placename /mətxʷú/, meaning "sunflower (seeds)". The Native American name for the river was Buttlemuleemauch, meaning "salmon falls river". In 1841 the Wilkes Expedition
named the river "Barrier River". Alexander Ross
said the native name was Buttle-mule-emauch. In 1811 David Thompson
met the tribe living along the river and wrote their name as Smeetheowe. In 1853 George Gibbs called the river Methow or Barrier.
. Several mountain passes are associated with the Methow River and its tributaries, such as Methow Pass and Twisp Pass. State Route 20 utilizes Washington Pass
and Rainy Pass, also in the general areas of headwater streams.
The Pacific Crest Trail
follows the uppermost reach of the Methow River, until the river turns east, flowing into the Methow Valley near Mazama
. Along the way it collects the tributary streams of Robinson Creek and Lost River. In the Methow Valley, between Mazama and Winthrop
, the Methow River is joined by Early Winters Creek, Cedar Creek, Goat Creek, and Wolf Creek. The Chewuch River joins at Winthrop. One of the Methow's larger tributaries, the Chewuch River and its many tributaries drain large parts of the Pasayten Wilderness to the north. One of its headwater streams, Cathedral Creek, reaches nearly to British Columbia
, Canada
.
The Methow Valley continues below Winthrop to Twisp
, where the Methow River is joined by another important tributary, the Twisp River
. Flowing from the west, the Twisp River drains the mountains south of Washington Pass as well as the eastern slopes of Sawtooth Ridge, a major mountain range with some of Washington state's highest peaks (such as Star Peak and Mt Bigelow).
Downriver from Twisp, the Methow River passes by the communities of Carlton and Methow, receiving several minor tributaries, before joining the Columbia River at Pateros
. This part of the Columbia is the impoundment of Wells Dam
, a lake known as Lake Pateros
.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
in northern Washington in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The river's watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
is 1890 square miles (4,895.1 km²), with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, with much of the river basin is located in national forests and wildernesses. Many tributaries drain the large Pasayten Wilderness
Pasayten Wilderness
The Pasayten Wilderness is a 2145 km². protected area located within Okanogan National Forest and Mount Baker National Forest in Washington State, centered on the Three Forks of the Pasayten River, a tributary of the Similkameen River. The northern boundary of the wilderness is the Canadian...
. An earlier economy based on agriculture is giving way to one based on recreation and tourism.
The river was named after the Methow Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
(today part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation
Colville Indian Reservation
The Colville Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Washington, inhabited and managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which is recognized by the United States of America as an American Indian Tribe...
). The name "Methow" comes from the Okanagan
Colville-Okanagan language
Colville-Okanagan is a Salish language which arose among the inhabitants of the Okanagan River Basin and spread into the Columbia River Basin. Following British, American, and Canadian colonization during the 1800s and the subsequent repression of all Salishan languages, the use of...
placename /mətxʷú/, meaning "sunflower (seeds)". The Native American name for the river was Buttlemuleemauch, meaning "salmon falls river". In 1841 the Wilkes Expedition
United States Exploring Expedition
The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones. The voyage was authorized by Congress in...
named the river "Barrier River". Alexander Ross
Alexander Ross (fur trader)
-Fur trader and explorer:Ross emigrated to Upper Canada, present day , from Scotland about 1805.In 1811, while working for John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company, Ross took part in the founding of Fort Astoria, a fur-trading post at the mouth of the Columbia River...
said the native name was Buttle-mule-emauch. In 1811 David Thompson
David Thompson (explorer)
David Thompson was an English-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and map-maker, known to some native peoples as "Koo-Koo-Sint" or "the Stargazer"...
met the tribe living along the river and wrote their name as Smeetheowe. In 1853 George Gibbs called the river Methow or Barrier.
Course
The Methow River, along with its tributaries the Twisp River, Cedar Creek, and Early Winters Creek, originates in a cluster of high mountains including Golden Horn, Tower Mountain, Cutthroat Peak, Snagtooth Ridge, Kangaroo Ridge, Early Winter Spires, and Liberty Bell MountainLiberty Bell Mountain
Liberty Bell Mountain is located in the North Cascades, approximately one mile south of Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway. Liberty Bell is part of the Liberty Bell Group, a group of spires which also includes Concord Tower, Lexington Tower, North Early Winters Spire, and South Early...
. Several mountain passes are associated with the Methow River and its tributaries, such as Methow Pass and Twisp Pass. State Route 20 utilizes Washington Pass
Washington Pass
Washington Pass and Rainy Pass are two mountain passes on State Route 20 in the North Cascades mountains of Washington State. Rainy Pass is about 4 miles to the west of Washington Pass...
and Rainy Pass, also in the general areas of headwater streams.
The Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
follows the uppermost reach of the Methow River, until the river turns east, flowing into the Methow Valley near Mazama
Mazama, Washington
Mazama is a small village nestled in the Methow Valley of the Methow River in the eastern part of Washington. It is 14 miles northwest of Winthrop and about 28 miles from the Canadian border....
. Along the way it collects the tributary streams of Robinson Creek and Lost River. In the Methow Valley, between Mazama and Winthrop
Winthrop, Washington
Winthrop is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It is east of Mazama and north of Twisp. The population of the Winthrop area was 1,916 at the 2000 census; however, the incorporated town had a population of 349. The 2010 census showed an increase to 394 within the town limits...
, the Methow River is joined by Early Winters Creek, Cedar Creek, Goat Creek, and Wolf Creek. The Chewuch River joins at Winthrop. One of the Methow's larger tributaries, the Chewuch River and its many tributaries drain large parts of the Pasayten Wilderness to the north. One of its headwater streams, Cathedral Creek, reaches nearly to British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The Methow Valley continues below Winthrop to Twisp
Twisp, Washington
Twisp is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 938 at the 2000 census and decreased to 919 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Twisp is located at ....
, where the Methow River is joined by another important tributary, the Twisp River
Twisp River
The Twisp River is a tributary of the Methow River, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is about 26 miles long.The name of the river is derived from a local Indian word meaning "wasp" or "yellowjacket".-Course:...
. Flowing from the west, the Twisp River drains the mountains south of Washington Pass as well as the eastern slopes of Sawtooth Ridge, a major mountain range with some of Washington state's highest peaks (such as Star Peak and Mt Bigelow).
Downriver from Twisp, the Methow River passes by the communities of Carlton and Methow, receiving several minor tributaries, before joining the Columbia River at Pateros
Pateros, Washington
Pateros is a city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 643 at the 2000 census and increased 3.7% to 667 in the 2010 census.-History:Pateros was originally established as Ive's Landing in around 1886 by Lee Ives...
. This part of the Columbia is the impoundment of Wells Dam
Wells Dam
Wells Dam is a hydroelectric dam located on the Columbia River, downstream from the confluence of the Okanogan River, Methow River, and the Columbia River in Washington State. The dam, associated structures, and machinery make up the Wells Hydroelectric Project. It is owned and operated by...
, a lake known as Lake Pateros
Lake Pateros
Lake Pateros is a reservoir on the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. It was created in 1967 with the construction of Wells Dam. The reservoir lies almost entirely in Douglas and Okanogan counties, although the dam itself lies partially in the easternmost portion of Chelan County. The...
.
See also
- List of rivers of Washington
- Tributaries of the Columbia RiverTributaries of the Columbia RiverTributaries and sub-tributaries are hierarchically listed in order from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream. Major dams and reservoir lakes are also noted.-Minor tributaries:* Skipanon River * Lewis and Clark River * Youngs River...
- Methow, WashingtonMethow, WashingtonMethow , is an unincorporated community in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The community had a population of 262 at the 2000 census.-History:...