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Which parts of the Columbia River flow through Canada?

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The Columbia River originates in British Columbia, Canada, near the crest of the Rocky Mountains.12

Approximately two-fifths of the river's total length—about 500 miles (800 km)—is located within Canada. Its course through this region follows a specific path:1

  • Headwaters: The river begins at Columbia Lake at an elevation of 2,700 feet (820 meters).2
  • Northwesterly Flow: For the first 190 miles (305 km), the river flows in a northwesterly direction.2
  • Southerly Flow: It then turns and flows south for 270 miles (435 km) until it reaches the border between Canada and the United States, where it enters northeastern Washington at an elevation of 1,290 feet (390 meters).2