Western Oregon's Willamette Basin, once a vast wilderness, became a thriving community almost overnight. When Oregon territory was opened for homesteading in the early 1800s, most of the intrepid pioneers settled in the valley, spurring rapid changes in the landscape. Heralded as fertile with a mild climate and an abundance of natural resources, the valley enticed farmers, miners and loggers, who were quickly followed by the construction of rail lines and roads. Dams were built to harness the once free-flowing Willamette River and provide power to the growing population. As cities rose, people like Portland architect Edward Bennett and conservationist governor Tom McCall worked to contain urban sprawl. Authors Elizabeth and William Orr bring to life the changes that sculpted Oregon's beloved Willamette Valley.

"The Willamette River Basin Planning Atlas offers a valuable resource for anyone interested in the region's past, present, and future. Using a variety of color maps, charts, and photographs, the Atlas presents a vast amount of information intended to provide a long-term, large-scale view of changes in human and natural systems within the Basin." "Five chapters provide information on current conditions and historical changes since 1850, focusing in turn on land forms and geology, water resources, plants and animals, land use, and human population." "Next, there is a detailed examination of how the Basin may change between now and 2050 under three alternative scenarios for future land and water use: one assuming a continuation of current land use and management policies, the second assuming a loosening of current policies to allow freer development, and the third assuming greater emphasis on ecosystem protection and restoration." "The final chapter demonstrates how the information and analyses presented in the Atlas can be used to prioritize and design river restoration strategies. Although the focus is on the Willamette River and its floodplain, the book's approach provides a useful model that can be applied to other regions as well." "Intended for general readers and specialists alike, the Atlas provides information to help local citizens, policymakers, and scientists make better decisions about the Willamette River Basin and its future."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved