Then and now: Man and the Spokane River

Spokane River’s story one of geology, settlement

Section:Gallery

Mon., March 4, 2019

1975 - The falls of Spokane thunders with snow melt from surrounding mountains as the world's fair, Expo '74, is being dismantled around the Spokane River in the dowtown area. Once reclaimed from the railroad, Riverfront Park became an escape from the urban surroundings. But Spokane Indians and others whose tribes’ history and tradition are connected to the waterway may feel that the years of sewage dumping and industrial uses around the river will take many generations to recover from. Larry Reisnouer/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Larry Reisnouer The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
2018 – Spokane's famous waterfalls thunders over an 18-foot manmade spillway below the historic Washington Water Power's Post St. substation. White settlers putting the Spokane River to work to grind wheat, mill lumber and generate electricity may be one of the greatest impacts of the river from white settlement. WWP is now Avista Utilities. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo