Bateman Island is an island located on the Columbia River immediately east of the

Yakima River Delta The Yakima River Delta is an area of land in Richland, Washington where the Yakima River enters the Columbia River at River Mile 335. It hosts several protected areas and is crossed by State Route 240. This area is mostly floodplain with ripar ...

between the cities of Richland and

Kennewick, Washington Kennewick () is a city in Benton County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located along the southwest bank of the Columbia River, just southeast of the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima rivers and across from the confluence of the ...

, in the United States. It is approximately long and wide () and is part of the city of Richland. Bateman Island was formerly known as Riverview Island. Bateman Fishing

History

Lewis and Clark mentioned Bateman Island in their journals in 1805.

William Clark William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Miss ...

and two other men made their way towards the mouth of the

Yakima River The Yakima River is a tributary of the Columbia River in south central and eastern Washington state, named for the indigenous Yakama people. Lewis and Clark mention in their journals that the Chin-nâm pam (or the Lower Snake River Chamnapam ...

, but due to the time the farthest they got was Bateman Island. Lewis and Clark never made it past Bateman Island; it was the furthest upstream they traveled on the Columbia. In 1872 the island was being used for wheat farming, and in 1912 it was used for raising cows. The causeway that connects the island to the shore was completed sometime around 1940. From 1941 to 1952 the Batemans used the island to raise turkeys and for farming. The island has suffered damage from

wildfire A wildfire, forest fire, bushfire, wildland fire or rural fire is an unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictable fire in an area of combustible vegetation. Depending on the type of vegetation present, a wildfire may be more specifically identi ...

periodically, most recently in August 2001 and July 2017. In both cases, the fires were caused by human activity and led to extended closures of the island to visitation. In 2002 thanks to support by Bechtel Hanford and with help from many volunteers, about 27 tons worth of beer cans and other debris left there over the last 60 years was removed.Three Rivers Community Roundtable
Accessed 2016-02-23

Attractions

Presently, the island is open to the public for numerous activities. Evidence of the recent fires is apparent, though the vegetation is rebounding quickly. The island is home to many different species of wildlife, including deer, birds, carp in the wet season, and numerous small animals. Common recreational activities include fishing, bird watching, and hiking. The island also has multiple geocaches on it.

References

More on the background of Bateman island and relation to Lewis & Clark

{{authority control Landforms of Benton County, Washington Islands of the Columbia River in Washington (state) Uninhabited islands of Washington (state)

History

Attractions

See also

References