Columbia Crossing Swim

In the autumn of 1805, the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition navigated these waters, marking their progress by the rugged confluence where the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers collide. They set camp near the current site of Sacajawea State Park, observing a landscape that defined the frontier of the Pacific Northwest. Today, the Columbia Crossing Swim replicates that sense of exploration, though with more focus on the current than the charting of unknown territories. Swimmers enter the river at Chiawana Park to tackle the 2414-meter course, a route that demands constant awareness of the river's flow and the expansive geography of the Tri-Cities region.

Navigating the river landmarks

As you pull through the water, the horizon is dominated by engineering feats that connect the Tri-Cities. You will pass beneath the stark lines of the Cable Bridge, formally known as the Ed Hendler Bridge, which carries the weight of Route 397 across the expanse. Further along the trajectory, the distinctive arch-truss silhouette of the Pioneer Memorial Bridge—known locally as the Blue Bridge—serves as a primary navigation point. The shoreline itself is framed by the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, where mile markers provide a rhythmic sense of progress along the bank. These structures stand in contrast to the ancient history of the riverbed; it was just upstream, on a bank of this same river, that the remains of the Kennewick Man were discovered in 1996, a reminder of the 8,000-plus years of human presence in this basin.

Organized by the Columbia Basin Dive Rescue, this event functions as a community-led operation, with the proceeds directly supporting the organization's regional emergency services. The swim takes place annually in early September, requiring participants to be prepared for open-water conditions in a river environment. Unlike coastal races, the challenge here is managing the specific dynamics of the Columbia’s confluence, where the meeting of three major rivers can create subtle shifts in water density and current. The course is designed to maintain a consistent trajectory downstream, utilizing the natural flow while keeping the familiar landmarks of the Pasco and Kennewick skyline in view until the finish line.