Palix River
Encyclopedia
The Palix River is a stream in the U.S. state
of Washington. Its tributaries include three forks, North, Middle, and South Fork Palix River, as well as the Canon River. The river's length, including the Canon River, its longest tributary, is approximately 14 miles (22.5 km).
in Pacific County. It flows generally west to Willapa Bay
, an estuary
of the Pacific Ocean
. The river has three fork tributaries, the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork Palix River.
The North Fork originates a couple miles west of South Bend
, near the source of the Bone River
. It flows generally south through hilly terrain, close to the Niawiakum River
. In its final mile the North Fork turns west and enters the broad and marshy Palix River tidal estuary in which the Middle Fork and South Fork join. It is approximately 7 mi (11.3 km) long.
The South Fork Palix River originates about a mile south of the Palix River estuary. It flows in a curving path southwest then north, less than a mile from the coast, to join the other forks in the Palix estuary. It is approximately 6 mi (9.7 km) long.
The Middle Fork Palix River originates about a mile east of the Palix River estuary. It flows west, quickly entering the estuary. In the estuary the Canon River joins the Middle Fork from the south, then the Middle Fork joins the North Fork. It is approximately 2.5 mi (4 km) long.
The Canon River is longer than any of the Palix River forks. It originates in the Willapa Hills and flows generally west and northwest through hilly terrain. Part of its course is through a gorge in which it receives its main tributary, Canyon Creek. After exiting the gorge the Canon River flows north and enters the Palix River estuary where it joins the Middle Fork Palix River. It is approximately 8.7 mi (14 km) long.
The mainstem Palix River, forms by the confluence of the three forks, flows northwest for a few miles, its estuary merging with the estuary of Willapa Bay
just west of Wilson Point. The mouth of the Palix River, near Bay Center
, is very close to the Niawiakum River
and Bone River
mouths. U.S. Route 101
crosses the mainstem Palix River. The mainstem Palix River is approximately 4.5 mi (7.2 km) long.
the river's name, which he spelled "Palux", comes from the Chehalis
language and means "slough covered with trees". The name was also applied to a division of the Chinookan
people who lived along the river.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Washington. Its tributaries include three forks, North, Middle, and South Fork Palix River, as well as the Canon River. The river's length, including the Canon River, its longest tributary, is approximately 14 miles (22.5 km).
Course
The Palix River rises in the Willapa HillsWillapa Hills
The Willapa Hills is a geologic, physiographic, and geographic region in southwest Washington. When described as a physiographical province, the Willapa Hills are bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Columbia River to the south, the Olympic Mountains to the north, and the Cascade Range to...
in Pacific County. It flows generally west to Willapa Bay
Willapa Bay
Willapa Bay is a bay located on the southwest Pacific coast of Washington state in the United States. The Long Beach Peninsula separates Willapa Bay from the greater expanse of the Pacific Ocean. With over of water surface Willapa Bay is the second largest estuary on the United States Pacific coast...
, an estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. The river has three fork tributaries, the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork Palix River.
The North Fork originates a couple miles west of South Bend
South Bend, Washington
South Bend is a city in Pacific County, Washington, United States. It is the county seat of Pacific County. The population was 1,637 as of the 2010 census, a decrease of 9.4% from the 2000 census figures. The town is widely known for its oysters and scenery....
, near the source of the Bone River
Bone River
The Bone River is a short river in the U.S. state of Washington. It is about long.-Course:The Bone River originates in the hills of the southwestern part of Washington, close to the source of the North Fork Palix River. It flows generally west, emptying into Willapa Bay near Bay Center just north...
. It flows generally south through hilly terrain, close to the Niawiakum River
Niawiakum River
The Niawiakum River is a short river in the U.S. state of Washington. It is approximately long.-Course:The Niawiakum River originates in the hills of the southwestern part of Washington. It flows generally west, emptying into Willapa Bay near Bay Center and the mouth of the Palix River. The...
. In its final mile the North Fork turns west and enters the broad and marshy Palix River tidal estuary in which the Middle Fork and South Fork join. It is approximately 7 mi (11.3 km) long.
The South Fork Palix River originates about a mile south of the Palix River estuary. It flows in a curving path southwest then north, less than a mile from the coast, to join the other forks in the Palix estuary. It is approximately 6 mi (9.7 km) long.
The Middle Fork Palix River originates about a mile east of the Palix River estuary. It flows west, quickly entering the estuary. In the estuary the Canon River joins the Middle Fork from the south, then the Middle Fork joins the North Fork. It is approximately 2.5 mi (4 km) long.
The Canon River is longer than any of the Palix River forks. It originates in the Willapa Hills and flows generally west and northwest through hilly terrain. Part of its course is through a gorge in which it receives its main tributary, Canyon Creek. After exiting the gorge the Canon River flows north and enters the Palix River estuary where it joins the Middle Fork Palix River. It is approximately 8.7 mi (14 km) long.
The mainstem Palix River, forms by the confluence of the three forks, flows northwest for a few miles, its estuary merging with the estuary of Willapa Bay
Willapa Bay
Willapa Bay is a bay located on the southwest Pacific coast of Washington state in the United States. The Long Beach Peninsula separates Willapa Bay from the greater expanse of the Pacific Ocean. With over of water surface Willapa Bay is the second largest estuary on the United States Pacific coast...
just west of Wilson Point. The mouth of the Palix River, near Bay Center
Bay Center, Washington
Bay Center is a census-designated place in Pacific County, Washington, United States. The population was 174 at the 2000 census. The population increased to 276 at the 2010 census...
, is very close to the Niawiakum River
Niawiakum River
The Niawiakum River is a short river in the U.S. state of Washington. It is approximately long.-Course:The Niawiakum River originates in the hills of the southwestern part of Washington. It flows generally west, emptying into Willapa Bay near Bay Center and the mouth of the Palix River. The...
and Bone River
Bone River
The Bone River is a short river in the U.S. state of Washington. It is about long.-Course:The Bone River originates in the hills of the southwestern part of Washington, close to the source of the North Fork Palix River. It flows generally west, emptying into Willapa Bay near Bay Center just north...
mouths. U.S. Route 101
U.S. Route 101
U.S. Route 101, or U.S. Highway 101, is an important north–south U.S. highway that runs through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, on the West Coast of the United States...
crosses the mainstem Palix River. The mainstem Palix River is approximately 4.5 mi (7.2 km) long.
History
According to Edmond S. MeanyEdmond S. Meany
Edmond S. Meany was a professor of botany and history at the University of Washington and a UW alumnus, having graduated as the valedictorian of his class in 1885...
the river's name, which he spelled "Palux", comes from the Chehalis
Chehalis (tribe)
The Chehalis people are a native people of westernWashington state in the United States. They should not be confused with the similarly named Chehalis First Nation of the Harrison River in the Fraser Valley area of British Columbia....
language and means "slough covered with trees". The name was also applied to a division of the Chinookan
Chinookan
Chinook refers to several native amercain groups of in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, speaking the Chinookan languages. In the early 19th century, the Chinookan-speaking peoples lived along the lower and middle Columbia River in present-day Oregon and Washington...
people who lived along the river.