CouleCorridor

The Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway, 100 miles along Washington State Routes 17 and 155, from Othello to Grand Coulee is more than just a scenic road. Its a road with stories to tell. The central narratives come from many sources; geologic forces, native peoples, diverse immigrants, varied flora and fauna, and the small and grand dreams of human habitation. Within our diverse landscapes and stories there’s a defining feature: they all connect to water. A bit ironic since we are a semi arid region. But then irony and contrast are elements of good stories. Bring your sense of discovery and take home a story.

Geology
The coulees and canyons throughout the corridor form a landscape like no other on earth. The area has been shaped by many natural forces: mountain building, subsidence to seas, volcanic activity and one of the greatest ice age floods on earth . Stand at the lower end of the Grand Coulee and imagine the 1000 foot wall of flood water that carved this canyon. During the early stages of the Columbia Basin formation, granite rock was slowly created by heat and pressure deep in the crust of the earth. Then the crust was uplifted, exposing the granite, creating mountains similar to the Okanogan Highlands north of Grand Coulee Dam. Forty to sixty million years ago the formation of the outline of the Columbia Basin was complete. The land had subsided below sea level, and a large inland sea had formed.

Watchable Wildlife
Desert sagebrush interwoven with green farm fields. Arid landscapes dotted with lakes and potholes. This oasis in the desert is a magnet for wildlife. Tens of thousand of ducks, geese, and other migrating birds nest or winter in this system of wetlands and dry uplands. There’s plenty of watchable wildlife in any season you visit.

Recreation
The secrets out. For decades locals and nearby regional visitors had the blue skies, water, and open space all to themselves. With five State Parks, dozens of major lakes, seven wildlife management areas, and a national recreational area, there was ample recreational choice (camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing, birdwatching). There still is. But visit soon while the secret is still contained to the Northwest.

Culture and History
Prize winning small town theatre. Hobo museum. Tribal museum. Pioneer history museums. Working landscapes. Local books, local art, local food, local wine. Community festivals. Old and new resorts. And an interpretive center/tour featuring one of the largest public works and engineering achievements in US history. Our natural history story is pretty overwhelming. Our people stories try hard and compete well. Harlan Bretz discovered a new geologic theory here. Thomas Nuthall discovered new biologic specimens. Paul Kane discovered new subjects for his art. Isn’t it time, you discovered the Coulee Corridor.