Savage Island (Washington)
Encyclopedia
Savage Island lies on the last free flowing stretch of the Columbia River
known as the Hanford Reach
in Washington, United States
; other interesting geological features of the area include the White Bluffs, as well across the river the Hanford Dunes. The island is within the boundaries of the Wahluke Wildlife Unit, a natural preserve managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Historically, Savage Island has supported small farms and settlements ranging from prior to the Manhattan Project
buyout of the lands in 1943; The Wanapum
tribe were known to inhabit this particular region. The wildlife of the island include mule deer
, coyote
, burrowing owl
, and western diamondback rattlesnake; the island is primarily arid shrub steppe, with some wetland habitat by the shore of the 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...
known as the Hanford Reach
Hanford Reach
The Hanford Reach is a free-flowing section of the Columbia River, about long, in eastern Washington state, named after a large northward bend in the river's otherwise southbound course. It is the only section of the Columbia in the U.S...
in Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; other interesting geological features of the area include the White Bluffs, as well across the river the Hanford Dunes. The island is within the boundaries of the Wahluke Wildlife Unit, a natural preserve managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Historically, Savage Island has supported small farms and settlements ranging from prior to the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
buyout of the lands in 1943; The Wanapum
Wanapum
The Wanapum tribe of Native Americans formerly lived along the Columbia River from above Priest Rapids down to the mouth of the Snake River in what is now the U.S. state of Washington. About 60 Wanapum still live near the present day site of Priest Rapids Dam...
tribe were known to inhabit this particular region. The wildlife of the island include mule deer
Mule Deer
The mule deer is a deer indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer...
, coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
, burrowing owl
Burrowing Owl
The Burrowing Owl is a tiny but long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing Owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated...
, and western diamondback rattlesnake; the island is primarily arid shrub steppe, with some wetland habitat by the shore of the river.