River Basin Surveys Papers, No. 8: Excavations in the McNary Reservoir Basin Near Umatilla, Oregon

The archeological sites described herein were excavated during August and early September of 1948 in the McNary Reservoir, as part of the River Basin Surveys' program for the salvage of scientific and historic remains from areas to be flooded by the dams being built or to be built by the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, and the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior. McNary Reservoir itself will occupy the Columbia River from Umatilla, Oregon, up to some 12 miles beyond Pasco, Washington, and will also extend up the Snake River about 8 miles. Two sites are reported herein.

The burial site, 45-BN-3, 2 had a fair midden and had, apparently as recently as before the great 1948 flood, shown evidence of house pits. It is located on the north (Washington) side of the Columbia River at Berrian's Island. This island is some 9 miles above Plymouth, Washington. Another 1~ miles above 45-BN-3 is 45-BN-53, a large pit-house village.

All labor was done by students paid from the funds appropriated for archeological excavations in the McNary Reservoir. Equipment was purchased or rented with the same funds. Although mentioned in the acknowledgments, it should be further stated here that much aid in both man-hours and the use of material was given by the local office of the Army Engineers. This included the use of the ferry, surveying instruments, and the short loan of a surveying crew, etc. The material was studied in the River Basin Surveys' laboratory on the campus of the University of Oregon, Eugene.