Yvonne Addington – Lower Columbia Volunteer
Lower Columbia Chapter/Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI) is privileged to recognize our outstanding volunteer, Yvonne Addington, who has always been there for us, doing so much for our Chapter, and that’s been lots! Yvonne Addington looks to the future and connects people to make things happen. Even before the Ice Age Floods Institute was formed Yvonne was an Ice Age fan and was storing the bones of a mastodon dug up in Tualatin, Oregon. Tualatin decided to become an ice age destination and Yvonne was one of the most enthusiastic supporters. In many instances she was the driving force or one of a team of people who made the ice age theme come alive in Tualatin. If you dig into Tualatin’s many ice age interpretive displays, public artwork, artifacts like prehistoric animal bones and erratic rocks, you will find Yvonne’s impact. She arranged many of the donations to the Tualatin Public Library ice age displays including the mastodon which Yvonne stored for many years before it found a suitable home in the Tualatin Public Library. She supported the work of making Tualatin the first partner of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. She spearheaded the renaming of the Tonquin Trail to the Ice Age Tonquin Trail. The Tualatin River Greenway Trail, with its many ice age displays and interpretive signs, has an “Yvonne Addington Overlook” named in her honor for her extraordinary contributions to the mission of parks and recreation in Tualatin. She arranged the donation and transport of a 20,000 lb. granite boulder and a 5,500 lb. quartzite boulder to the Tualatin Historical Center. She encouraged the donation of a 9’ bronze mastodon statue at the Nyberg Rivers mall. She is a founding member of the Tualatin Ice Age Foundation which is working on the future creation of a Willamette Valley Ice Age Interpretive Center. She is an advocate for the preservation of Ice Age fossils, having kept them from being destroyed by identifying places where they can be adequately displayed, not only at Tualatin Heritage Center, but in larger venues including the proposed Ice Age Floods Interpretive Center and the now completed rebuilding of the West Linn City Hall. In addition to her long established career in public service at so many levels, including judgeship and public administration, she has played a significant role in our Lower Columbia Chapter. When we needed a new home for our featured speaker meetings she was there for us, bringing us into the Tualatin Heritage Center on the third Thursday of each month at 7PM. Today Yvonne is a respected member of the Lower Columbia Chapter Board of Directors.
IAFI Cheney-Spokane College Student Research Grants Available
The Cheney-Spokane Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute is offering $500 grants to support geologic fieldwork on Ice Age flood research in the Pacific Northwest. Open to undergraduate and graduate students in the U.S. and Canada, proposals are due by April 15 and must focus on Quaternary flood geology. Applications are reviewed for scientific merit, practicality, and impact. Lab costs for dating techniques are eligible, but funding excludes equipment, salaries, tuition, and travel. Submit your proposal (up to 4 pages) to cheneyspokane@iafi.org Progress report & field photos due the following February. 2025 IAFICS Student Research Grant Guidelines
Krystyna Wolniakowski – Volunteer Extraordinaire for Columbia River Gorge Chapter
It’s not every day you meet someone whose passion for conservation spans from local community efforts to international environmental policy. Krystyna Wolniakowski is one of those remarkable individuals, and the Columbia River Gorge Chapter is incredibly fortunate to have her as a dedicated volunteer. A Local Champion Krystyna is always ready to lend a hand, whether it’s a big project or a small task. She was a vital part of the team, alongside IAFI Membership Manager Lorrie DeKay and IAFI Store Manager Patty Hurd, that brought our “Gorge-ous Gathering” IAFI Membership Meeting to life last May. Beyond specific events, Krystyna is a trusted advisor, offering invaluable insights and feedback on many of the IAFI and Gorge Chapter initiatives. Her dedication to our local efforts is truly inspiring. A Lifetime of Impact Krystyna’s impressive background in environmental conservation and public service is evident in everything she does. As the Executive Director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, she plays a crucial role in safeguarding the breathtaking scenic, natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Her commitment to environmental stewardship extends far beyond the Gorge. She currently chairs the Klamath River Foundation, leading a successful multi-year project to remove dams on the Klamath River in southern Oregon—a monumental undertaking for river restoration. Krystyna is also a key member of the Romania Foundation, dedicated to developing sustainable tourism in Romania, and she contributes to the One Fly Foundation, which supports river restoration and fisheries health. Global Reach Krystyna’s career highlights showcase over 35 years of dedicated work in nature and landscape protection across the globe. Before her current role, she headed the Western Regional Office of the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in Portland, overseeing conservation grant programs across seven northwestern U.S. states. From 1991 to 2000, she served as Director for Central and Eastern Europe at the German Marshall Fund of the U.S. There, she developed crucial environmental, economic, and democratic programs in numerous countries after the fall of the Berlin Wall. A standout achievement was her initiation of the Environmental Partnership for Central Europe (EPCE) program in 1990. This pioneering non-governmental grant program provided vital support to pro-ecological civil society organizations in Central Europe, including the Partnership for Environment Foundation in Poland. Krystyna Wolniakowski’s tireless efforts, both locally and internationally, exemplify a profound commitment to protecting our planet’s natural treasures. We are incredibly grateful for her contributions to the Columbia River Gorge Chapter and her enduring legacy in conservation.
Palouse Falls State Park
Palouse Falls State Park, dedicated in 1951, is a 94-acre park showcasing the dramatic Palouse Falls and its unique geological history. The park is a popular destination for viewing the falls, which were formed by Ice Age floods and are a key part of the Ice Age Floods National Geological Trail. The falls were designated as Washington’s state official waterfall in 2014, thanks to the advocacy of schoolchildren from Washtucna. Palouse Falls is one of four of the last remaining year-round waterfalls on the Palouse River that once stood in the path of the ice age floods. It is rich in both geological and human history. The native Palouse Indians called it “Aput Aput” meaning “falling water.” They believed that it was created by the Great Spirit because of his displeasure with the wicked Indians who lived further upstream. This obstacle was a barrier that allowed the salmon to travel no further. Sam Fisher, a Palouse Indian, also tells the story of how four giant brothers and their giant sister used oil from beaver tails to keep their hair shiny. Needing more oil, they searched for the giant beaver and fought with him. All four falls on the river were made when the beaver slapped his tail. At the last battle at Palouse Falls, the beaver struck his tail one last time creating the falls and the bowl it falls into. The vertical cracks in the basalt were made by the claws of the beaver. Palouse Falls has made a powerful impression on all who have visited. For example, one of the fall’s earliest visitors, Laurence L. Dodd in 1867, described the site he saw this way: “just before descending the Snake River hill your eye rests on the grateful green bottom of the Palouse with its clear and pure waters, flowing into the turbid Snake and after ascending the Snake River hill to the northward and eastward, the eye sweeps over a vast extent of country rarely surpassed in rugged desolation and wildness.…” Dodd was accompanied by a few local citizens from Starbuck on horseback to witness the scene he described. Early access to the falls was either by train (many passenger trains would stop here for their passengers to look at the falls) or by coming in from the east side. Robert E. Strahorn, who built the railroad up the Palouse Canyon had the original idea of making Palouse Falls a State Park. But it was not until years later that Washtucna area resident and president of the Washtucna Community Service Club John H. Baumann really pushed the idea. In 1945, Palouse Falls State Park was created. It was dedicated on June 3rd, 1951. The 299 acres that make up the entirety of this vast park were donated by The Baker-Boyer National Bank of Walla Walla, J.M. McGregor of the McGregor Land and Livestock Company of Hooper, and Mrs. Agnes Sells, a resident of Washtucna. Palouse Falls State Park is located off Highway 261, which branches off Highway 260 out of Washtucna. The most popular season for visiting is in the spring when the river is at its highest from winter snow melt. However, each season has its own story to tell as these pictures show. Article by Lloyd Stoess, President IAFI Palouse Falls Chapter
Melanie Bell Gibbs – Valuable Cheney-Spokane Chapter Volunteer
What would you say about a volunteer who has spent literally years advancing the mission of the Ice Age Floods Institute and still continues to do so, even in semi-retirement? You would have to say she is the prime example of the committed, capable, enthusiastic, and gifted volunteer every organization would like to have. When she moved to the Spokane area from Northeast Texas, a proud Texan became a determined and energetic citizen for the state of Washington–and eventually a valuable member of the Ice Age Floods Institute. She became a member of the Ice Age Floods Institute and Cheney-Spokane Chapter as early as 2005. Over the years she was active: Serving as Secretary, Treasurer, President of the Cheney-Spokane Chapter and currently serves as Past President. Recruiting Sponsors and Partners. Writing grants and was successful in funding production of brochures, booklets, flyers and providing for event exhibiting supplies. Partnering with Spokane Parks and Recreation to ensure the accuracy of the Ice Age Floods story in the Ice Age Floods Playground that opened in Riverfront Park in May 2021. Helping Science Coordinators understand the importance of Floods curriculum for Spokane School District. Assisting chapters organize the logistics of hosting conferences. Becoming a Lifetime Honorary Chapter Board Member in 2023. In January 2007, she became involved with the Ice Age Floods Institute’s Board of Directors when she was elected to the Board and became the Secretary. Over the years she: Developed Board Calendars, Board Directories, and Annual Meeting Planning Masters. Served as Treasurer. Implemented new Membership Management system. Continues on the Executive Committee and is Chair of the Revenue Generating Committee. Everyone who knows her agrees she is the quintessential volunteer and we are fortunate to have her.
Volunteer Profile – Sue Billings
How would you like to have on your team a volunteer who embodies the following qualities: Enthusiasm – Support – Upbeat Attitude – Availability to help – Creative Ideas – Encouragement The Ellensburg chapter has such a member in Sue Billings. She has been involved in several meetings and projects over the last years. And she is almost always available to help out when called upon. She and her husband, Tom Ring, live in the town of Selah—reflecting the wide spread area from which our members come. And she is able to do all this in addition to having a rich lifestyle in which they travel and stay involved in other projects. Thanks so much for your involvement and contributions, Sue. We really appreciate it. Mike Doran, President Ellensburg Chapter Ice Age Floods Institute
Discover A Landscape Carved by Ancient Mega-Floods at Fish Lake Regional Park
Just a short drive east of Cheney, Washington, lies Fish Lake Regional Park, a beautiful 76-acre space offering more than just typical park amenities. This area, easily accessible with parking, play areas, hiking trails, and a swimming beach, tells a dramatic story of a landscape shaped by immense Ice Age floods. You’ll find a paved parking lot at the northeast edge of the park, right by the Fish Lake trailhead. From here, you can hop onto the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail and start your adventure! What makes Fish Lake truly unique is its geology. It’s a double plunge pool, a fascinating feature created by powerful, swirling currents during these ancient mega-floods. These paired, counter-rotating currents scoured out the lake basins, and during periods of low water, you can even spot a partial rock ridge, or rock blade, that divides the two pools. An even larger basalt rock blade separates Fish Lake from the nearby Minnie Creek rock channel and a wide, swampy area it drains into. The significance of Fish Lake isn’t lost on those who study these incredible floods. The local chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI), now the Cheney-Spokane Chapter, has been exploring and educating about this area since 2004. Early field trips introduced members to the flood-formed features around Cheney and the Palouse region, with Fish Lake being a key example. Remarkably, even the pioneers of Ice Age Floods research, Joseph Pardee and J Harlen Bretz, visited the Fish Lake area over a century ago, recognizing the powerful forces at play. For those interested in learning more, a video explaining the formation of these scour lakes is available on the IAFI website under the Cheney-Spokane chapter. Geologically, Fish Lake sits on a fascinating junction. It was carved into a chemically weathered contact zone between very old metamorphic rock, dating back a staggering 1.47 billion years, and much younger basalt flows from the Columbia River Basalt Group, around 16 million years old. The lake’s eastward drainage into the Minnie Rock channel further illustrates the powerful erosive forces of the floods. Evidence even suggests the floodwaters in this area reached incredible heights, exceeding 2600 feet, as seen in a small scour lake near Prosser Hill. So, next time you’re looking for a park with natural beauty and a captivating history, consider visiting Fish Lake Regional Park. It’s a place where you can relax and play while standing in a landscape sculpted by one of Earth’s most dramatic events. Condensed from an article by Dr. Linda McCollum, President, Cheney-Spokane Chapter
Whispers from a Frozen Past: “We Have The Bones” – McBones Mammoth Dig
We know the story…a world gripped by ice. Some twenty thousand years ago, colossal glaciers sculpted the landscape, their icy fingers reaching down through the Idaho panhandle. They choked the ancient Clark Fork River, birthing a vast, temporary lake: Glacial Lake Missoula. Then, the inevitable happened. The icy dam buckled, unleashing unimaginable torrents of water that carved a dramatic path across the land in a series of cataclysmic floods. We see their scars today – stark strand lines etched into hillsides, the labyrinthine coulees, silent dry waterfalls, and the scattered, out-of-place “erratic” rocks, silent witnesses to a watery fury. But beyond the sheer power of these floods, a more profound question lingers: What life thrived in the shadow of this impending devastation? What world existed downstream of Glacial Lake Missoula in the fleeting calm before each deluge? The answer, astonishingly, is life. Vibrant and resilient, creatures roamed the landscape, unaware of the watery apocalypse that would soon reshape their world. And now, buried within the very sediments left by those colossal floods, echoes of this Ice Age existence are being unearthed. Just south of the Tri-Cities in Washington, a remarkable discovery is unfolding. Here, the bones of a 17,500-year-old Columbian mammoth are being meticulously excavated, offering a breathtaking glimpse into a time when ice dominated the north. Imagine this majestic creature, striding across a landscape soon to be ravaged by floodwaters, its final resting place a testament to the sheer scale of these geological events. Now a 17,500-year-old Columbian mammoth is being excavated just south of the Tri-Cities in Washington and visitors can tour the site. For many, a visit to this active dig site is within easy reach – a captivating day trip, a memorable overnight stay, or a fascinating detour along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Stand on the very ground where this ancient giant lay buried, a staggering seven hundred feet above the present-day Columbia River, entombed in soil deposited by the very floods that shaped this region. The incredible work of unearthing these secrets is led by the dedicated nonprofit organization, MCBONES. At the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site, they offer a unique opportunity to step back in time. For a modest $10 per person (sign up at www.mcbones.org), from April until mid-October the public can join guided tours of this active paleontological dig. Witness firsthand the careful process of uncovering these ancient relics and hear the compelling story of this mammoth’s burial, the clues it offers about the pre-flood environment, and the ongoing discoveries that are rewriting our understanding of this dramatic period. Every dollar from tour admissions, gift shop sales, and generous donations directly fuels this vital research, ensuring that these whispers from a frozen past continue to be heard.
Ice Age Floods in Western WA
The Mossback’s Northwest production team met in Thurston County last week to research some geological history. We learned that the Missoula Floods that scoured Eastern Washington weren’t the only massive, earth-shaping floods at the end of the last Ice Age some 15,000 years ago. The retreating Puget Lobe — the last ice sheet’s southern extension, which stopped just south of Olympia — sent massive flows south and west as it melted. But while retreating, the ice also blocked rivers flowing from Mount Rainier, like the Carbon and Puyallup. This created a series of glacial lakes which, when unblocked, periodically let loose with floods and debris flows, shaping the valleys and prairies of the region. We talked at length with geologist Patrick Pringle who has, with his research partner Barry Goldstein, studied this phenomenon. As a result of the floods, Pringle says, there is a lot of volcanic rock — from gravel to massive boulders — in the valleys of South Puget Sound that washed down from Tahoma. More on this is coming in Season 11 this fall. Reprinted from the Cascade PBS ‘The Mossback Den’ newsletter
Coyote Canyon Mammoth Dig
The Coyote Canyon Mammoth Dig is an active paleontological excavation site in the Horse Heaven Hills near Kennewick, Washington. It’s a significant project that sheds light on the history of the Ice Age floods in the Tri-Cities area. The dig focuses on the unearthed remains of a Columbian mammoth that lived approximately 17,500 years ago. The mammoth’s carcass was buried in Touchet beds, a geological formation laid down by ancient floods. The site sits at an elevation of 1040 feet above sea level, which is considerably higher than the current elevation of the Columbia River, which is only 350 feet above sea level about 7 miles north. Scientists estimate that Lake Lewis, a massive glacial lake that existed during the Ice Age, reached a maximum surface elevation of over 1200 feet above sea level at the time the mammoth perished. This substantial difference in elevation hints at the immense power of the Ice Age floods that swept across the region. Another fascinating aspect of the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Dig is the discovery of a vast pile of erratic rocks. Initially thought to be a small cluster, the collection of these displaced rocks has grown to extend into several adjacent dig units. A dig unit, for those unfamiliar with archaeological and paleontological fieldwork, is a standardized square measuring 2 meters by 2 meters that archaeologists and paleontologists use to meticulously excavate and collect data. The MCBones Research Center, a non-profit organization, spearheads the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Dig. They offer educational tours for schools and other groups, providing a firsthand look at this significant paleontological excavation. These tours are a great opportunity to learn more about the Ice Age floods, mammoths, and the meticulous work of paleontologists. For more information about the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Dig, including details about tours, visit the MCBones Research Center website at www.mcbones.org.