Umatilla

The Umatilla River flows west from the Blue Mountains to meet the Columbia, crossing the homeland of the Umatilla people. A village stood near its mouth, where the smaller river joined the great waterway of the plateau. Salmon runs brought people to fishing places along the Columbia and its tributaries, while the surrounding country provided roots and game. Lewis and Clark passed the river during their journey through the Columbia country in 1805 and 1806, recording its Indigenous name.