How far can you swim??? Christopher Swain, of Oregon, intends to swim 1,243 miles, (2001 km); the entire length of the Columbia River. He began his swim on June 4th and will finish his adventure in the Pacific Ocean off Cape Disappointment, Washington sometime in November. This becomes a British Columbia story as Christopher's swim began in the Kootenay area of BC, an hour from where I live. The mighty Columbia River begins its journey from the melted glacier and spring-filled Columbia Lake in the Purcell Range of the Rocky Mountains. From there the Columbia goes northwards in British Columbia and then turns south into Washington and Oregon States.
As the source of wetlands, flood plains and pools, the Columbia provides homes to many species of animals and migrating birds. At one time, Columbia River Salmon would migrate from the United States, all the way to up the headwaters. After the building of the Grand Coulee Dam in 1941, that lengthy migration ended. Now there are 14 hydro-electric dams on this magnificent river. Four of these dams are in British Columbia and ten are in the United States. There are 250 other dams built on it's tributaries for flood control and irrigation. The most unpolluted section of this river is near the headwaters. Christopher Swain toasted his departure with a glass of Columbia Lake water. As he continues his journey, the water will become less and less drinkable. The need for irrigation and hydro electricity has subjected the Columbia River to much man-made interference. The dams built in British Columbia provide power for half of British Columbia and water is also stored and sold as power generation for the United States. Despite providing jobs, irrigation and electricity, much needed in BC, 2,300 people have been displaced in the process of building these dams. Along the banks of the river are pulp mills and other pollution causing industries. In the United States, the area of Hanford Reach nuclear dump will add to the danger of Christopher's swim. Of course he will also face the natural hazards of snakes, bears and cougars, especially where he has to walk around the hydro electric dams. He also has to swim in very chilly water - the temperature range being between 38 and 73 degrees (3.3 - 22.5 degrees Celsius) He has to face rapids and whirlpools. Boat traffic adds to the list of perils. However, the principal risk to Christopher is how his health maybe affected by the polluted waters that contain heavy metals, PCB's and Dioxins.
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