Grays River (Washington)

Grays River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately 20 miles (32 km) long, in southwestern Washington in the United States. One of the lowest tributaries of the Columbia on the Washington side, it drains an area of low hills north of the mouth of the river.

It rises in the eastern Willapa Hills in southwestern Pacific County. It flows generally southwesterly across western Wahkiakum County, passing the community of Grays River. Roughly 5 miles (8 km) southwest of that village, it enters the broad portion of the Columbia's tidal estuary from the north, at Grays Bay, about 15 miles (24 km) upstream from the river's mouth.

Each year, salmon swim upstream to spawn in its headwaters, and sea lions to feed on the fish.

Grays River is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and kayaking. At the community of Grays River it is crossed by the Grays River Covered Bridge. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only covered bridge still in use in Washington. [ [http://www.wahkiakumfoundation.org/bridge/ Wahkiakum Community Foundation] ]

Grays River was called "Moolhool" by the Chinookan-speaking natives of the area. [ [http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=8044 "Rehabilitation of the historic Grays River Covered Bridge is celebrated at a rededication on September 30, 1989."] ]

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