The Ice Age Floods

The Tri-Cities region was shaped by a series of cataclysmic floods at the end of the last Ice Age, known as the Missoula Floods or Ice Age Floods. Over 13,000 years ago, ice dams repeatedly burst, releasing torrents of water that scoured the landscape, carving deep channels, eroding rock formations, and depositing massive boulders across the Columbia Basin. These floods played a crucial role in forming the dramatic terrain seen today, including the Columbia River Gorge, the Channeled Scablands, and the unique basalt formations throughout the region.

Today, visitors can explore this fascinating history at destinations like the Columbia River’s Wallula Gap, the White Bluffs, and the breathtaking Palouse Falls. Discover the story of geologist J Harlen Bretz, who first proposed this once-controversial theory, by visiting the REACH Museum, where interactive exhibits bring the region’s Ice Age past to life. See the evidence for yourself through scenic drives, hiking trails, and interpretive sites across the Tri-Cities.

Amplíe su mente en Tri-Cities

Ciudad Patrimonio de la Segunda Guerra Mundial La Segunda Guerra Mundial impregnó todos los aspectos de la vida estadounidense y provocó una gran migración de... Más información