Portland is defined by water. The city sits at the confluence of major rivers and has long been shaped by shipping, bridges, floods, ecology, and recreation.
## Major rivers - **Willamette River** — runs through the center of Portland and is the city’s primary urban waterway. - **Columbia River** — forms Portland’s northern edge and connects the region to the Pacific Ocean. - The **Willamette–Columbia confluence** is a key geographic feature of the city.
## Smaller waterways and wetlands - **Johnson Creek** flows through southeast Portland and has been the focus of floodplain and habitat restoration. - **Tryon Creek** is an important natural stream corridor in southwest Portland. - **Columbia Slough** is a major waterway and wetland corridor with ecological and educational importance. - Urban wetlands include **Smith and Bybee Wetlands** and **Oaks Bottom**.
## Waterfront spaces - **Tom McCall Waterfront Park** lines downtown along the Willamette. - Eastbank paths and bridges create a highly visible public relationship with the river. - The **Portland Saturday Market** and many major events have historically clustered near the waterfront and Old Town area.
## Bridges Portland is often called **Bridgetown** because of its many bridges, including: - **St. Johns Bridge** - **Hawthorne Bridge** - **Steel Bridge** - **Burnside Bridge** - **Broadway Bridge** - **Fremont Bridge** - **Tilikum Crossing** - **Morrison Bridge** - **Marquam Bridge** - **Sellwood Bridge**
## Water-based recreation and economy - Kayaking, rowing, dragon boating, sailing, and paddleboarding are common. - The **Port of Portland** and marine terminals are important to trade and logistics, though some major port facilities are outside the city center. - River health and fish habitat are important civic issues, with ongoing environmental restoration and monitoring.