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In 1885, construction began on the South Jetty, part of a system designed to stabilize the river's mouth and facilitate safe navigation. The project featured timber piles driven into the seafloor, from which stones were transported by rail to create a robust structure. By the time the jetty was completed in 1895, it had significantly improved sediment flushing and reduced the threat of maritime accidents.
Despite efforts to maintain the jetties, oceanic forces continued to erode the structures, prompting further reconstruction in the 1930s with the addition of 2.3 million tons of rock. Today, the Columbia River generates approximately $24 billion in economic activity, making its ongoing maintenance critical.