Coastal South Jetty And Ship In Black And White Royalty-Free Stock Photo

The Mouth of the Columbia River's jetty system was constructed between 1885 and 1939. The system consists of three rubble-mound jetties: North Jetty, South Jetty and Jetty A. Constructed on massive tidal shoals and totaling 9.7 miles in length, the jetties minimize navigation channel maintenance and make passage safer for vessels transiting between the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River. The last critical repairs occurred to South Jetty in 2007. The jetties are regularly pounded by Pacific Ocean waves between 10 and 20 feet high with winter storms bringing extreme waves in excess of 30 feet. Over the years, many areas of each jetty were severely damaged by these waves. Increased storm activity and the loss of the shoaling sand upon which the jetties are built have taken a toll on the structural integrity of the jetties.