Where can I get a Columbia river mouth chart?

Fish Slapper · 07-11-2003, 02:17 PM

I was wondering if anyone has a source for Columbia River charts? I would like to pick up a few starting with the mouth and aproach to the river.

Thanks on advance.

OceanBlue · 07-11-2003, 02:23 PM

Englunds. You might have to order it.

rojo · 07-11-2003, 02:27 PM

West Marine...

Miss B Haven · 07-11-2003, 02:30 PM

I would recommend you pick up one of the chart books that cover the entire river, the snake and willamette. They are very adequate for river navigation, much easy to store (and use)in a smaller boat. One chart will run about $20, the entire book will be about $35. Fishermans, West Marine and maybe even Joes have them.

If you want the real thing, start buying them after you have the book (as you have the $$ and feel the need).

edsr · 07-11-2003, 02:43 PM

FS - Rodgers Marine has both a map of the Columbia which includes the mouth and the entire length. This is more of a fishing map but might have enough detail for your purposes.

They also have the charts for that area and other areas. They have charts that I coldn't get at West Marine.

edsr

Grits · 07-11-2003, 05:25 PM

maptech.com Go to online maps. They are printable and free plus you can hold the pointer on a spot, like a buoy and get gps points. Make sure to exerciese caution when using the points the first time. I would also second Miss B Havens suggestion on the book. Have had one for a few years and it is great.

Pete · 07-11-2003, 06:03 PM

Keep in mind, printed maps only show what was there when the map was printed. Every map has a printed date on it. With marine charts, revisions and updates are made by press releases call "Local Notice to Mariners". On the Columbia, the shipping channels, shore lines and navigation markers will be accurate for years, but sand bars and side channels change frequently. During most of the year, there are two "Local Notice to Mariners" release every week for the Columbia because there is so much shoaling and shifting of the sands, particularly below the Cowlitz due to the debris load dumped in the river by Mt. St. Helens. The mouth of the Columbia is particularly deceptive because the charts also don't show tides, wind waves, tidal flow - river flow interactions or ocean swells. A chart is a good place to start learning about an area, but there are many critical features of most waters that are not captured by a static, flat map.

jet · 07-11-2003, 06:03 PM

The chart book that I have and the one that I think Miss B Haven is talking about is the "Evergreen Pacific" River cruising Atlas. You can buy it at all the above places. This along with a good GPS/compass should get you there and back again.

Jet~~~

jet · 07-11-2003, 06:06 PM

Good post Pete. I know that I read my neighbors Evergreen map that he has had for 25 years and it is really different from the one that I just bought, Especially below the Cowlitz.

Jet~~~