The Missoula Floods and Other Geological Happenings in the Columbia River Gorge

About this event

The Lake Lewis Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute will host a chapter meeting and guest lecture with Jim O’Connor, U.S. Geological Survey – Portland, Oregon on November 3rd, 2026. This presentation will round out the 2026 lecture theme as we explore flood stories along the path from ancient Lake Missoula to the Pacific Ocean.

Starting with J Harlen Bretz and Ira Williams in 1915, geologists have been on the trail of the Missoula floods in the Columbia River Gorge. This work continues, addressing lingering and new questions, such as how many, how big, when, from where, and what did they do? Jim will summarize the current state of understanding, as well as other Columbia River Gorge stories being worked on by the USGS mapping group.

This event will be hosted at the REACH Museum in Richland, Washington and is free to the public. No registration required. This event will also be broadcast live. To join this meeting online, please see the Zoom meeting information below.

Chapter Meeting: 6:30 – 7:00 PM (PST)

Guest Lecture w/ Jim O’Connor: 7:00 – 8:00 PM (PST)

Zoom Meeting Details:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89328567163?pwd=QgcNzwQoCUaqaHXaLM6vwiRTU3xuzk.1

Meeting ID: 893 2856 7163

Passcode: 729258

Questions may be emailed to lakelewis@iafi.org

From Lake Lewis Chapter