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The Lewis and Clark expedition was an exploration of epic proportions that changed the face and shape of our nation. 
Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's Corps of Discovery to find a water route across the continent. The Corps began their journey into the uncharted west in 1804. Lewis and Clark mapped the western terrain, collected natural specimens, recorded weather information, and acted as ambassadors to members of the native cultures they encountered along the trail. The expedition had far-reaching consequences for both the nation-to-be and the native nations. President Jefferson instructed Lewis and Clark to carefully observe and document what they saw, and provided them with instruments of navigation that allowed them to accurately map the landscape. Their journal entries provide a detailed record of the natural habitats they observed. It is estimated that over one million words were written by members of the expedition. top of page When the expedition camped in what is now the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Clark commented on the huge flocks of birds and the noise they made. As the expedition travelled on the lower Columbia River in the vicinity of the present-day Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, they complained about the migratory waterfowl during their overnight stop at what is now Post Office Lake. Landing at the lake, Clark complained: "Opposit to our camp on a Small Sandy Island the brant & geese make Such a noise that it will be impossible for me to sleap." The next morning, Clark wrote in his journal: "rained all the after part of the last night...I slept but verry little last night for the noise Kept up dureing the whole of the night by the Swans, Geese, white & Grey Brant Ducks & c. on a Small Sand Island they were emensely noumerous, and their noise horid..." top of page Lewis and Clark first encountered the people of Cathlapotle on November 5, 1805. Lewis and Clark described their first encounter with the Cathlapotle People as they passed the town on November 5, 1805: "I observed on the Chanel which passes on the Star'd Side of this Island a short distance above its lower point is Situated a large village, the front of which occupies nearly 1/4 miles front the Chanel, and closely connected, I counted 14 houses (Quathlapotle nation) in front here the river widens to about 1-1/2 miles. Seven canoes of Indians came out from this large village to view and trade with us, they appeared orderly and well disposed, they accompanied us a few miles and returned back." top of page Lewis and Clark returned to Cathlapotle to trade and visit on March 29, 1806. 
After a wet winter at the Pacific Ocean, the members of the Corps of Discovery turned their boats back up the Columbia River toward home. They returned to the large Chinook village they called Cathlapotle to trade and visit, and Clark described the particulars of their trading: "at 3 oClock P.M. we arrived at the Quathlapotle village of 14 Houses on main Shore to the N.E. side of a large island. those people in their habits manners and customs differ but little from those of the Clatsops and other below. here we exchanged our deer skins killed yesterday for dogs and purchased others to the number of 12 for provisions for the party...i also purchased a sea otter robe. we purchased wappatoe and some pashaquar roots. gave a Medal of the small size to the principal chief," top of page Lewis and Clark spent the night at Wapato Portage.
"At 5 oclock reembarked and proceeded up on the NE. of an Island to an inlet about 1 mile above the village and encamped on a butifull grassy place, where the nativs make a portage of their Canoes and Wappato roots to and from a large pond at a Short distance." Clark went on to describe in detail the process of gathering wapato, one of the major dietary staples along the lower Columbia River: “. . . in this pond the nativs inform us they Collect great quantities of p[w]appato, which the womin collect by getting into the water, Sometimes to their necks holding a Small canoe and with their feet loosen the wappato or bulb of the root from the bottom from the Fibers, and it imedeately rises to the top of the water, they Collect & throw them into the Canoe, those deep roots are the largest and best roots.” The pond described by Clark is Carty Lake, which still provides food for the thousands of migratory waterfowl that frequent the refuge. Try these classroom and field trip activities to learn more about Lewis and Clark. In
the Field: Then and Now Matching Game: Can you match the equipment
used by Lewis and Clark to today's equivalent? Check out the glossary
to find out more about each tool. (requires
Flash) top of page Learn more about Lewis and Clark's journey! The Lewis and Clark Expedition in Washington Washington State Historical Society: Lewis and Clark The Lewis and Clark Expedition in Oregon Oregon Lewis and Clark Organizations Washington State Tourism: Lewis and Clark Experience Visit the other learning stations in the Refuge Cultural History field trip. |
After
visiting and trading with the people of Cathlapotle, the expedition
camped for the night at a riverbank site, which Clark described
in his journal: