It is quite obvious that the upper photo of the falls in in the late summer or early fall. If you notice the water lines on the rocks within the falls area. Also I noticed the barge in the canal that is up against the wall. I am wonder if the water was so low in that area of the canal that the barge can't move. There is a great void of water between the bottom and up to the concrete embankment, etc.

You can also see in the upper photo a small area for parking along Hwy 30, but that didn't serve much of a purpose when the salmon were running. People were parked on both side of the road, both fisherman and lookers. There was also a great amount of foot traffic between the Wyam village under the rimrock and the falls.

Such a great loss due to progress.........................

Charlott on 8th October 2019 @ 7:18am

What a treat to see the comparison of then and now. I wonder if any water is being held back during dam construction in the 1956 photo. The water seems higher than I expected.
Looks like quite a bit of fishing taking place and you can sure see how a canal helped river traffic.

Can also do some comparisons of the hills with this recent HHR photo. #2004
http://historichoodriver.com/index.php?showimage=2004

L.E. on 8th October 2019 @ 7:19am

Well, Charlott and I posted at the same time. We have a difference of opinion on the water level, but I am not knowledgeable about it. She is, so go with what she says.

L.E. on 8th October 2019 @ 7:29am

Yes, outstanding photos. and a very sad loss but "it is still there just waiting to return".

Arlen Sheldrake on 8th October 2019 @ 4:39pm

I guess when you wrote "current state park site", you were actually referring to the Celilo BLM park.

AlexM on 9th October 2019 @ 11:03am

Yes, it's not a state park. Apparently it's owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

ArthurB on 9th October 2019 @ 11:13am

The upper end of the canal in the first photo is now the boat launch site in the park..

Kenn on 18th October 2019 @ 6:33pm