American Cruise Lines supports tourism, economic vitality along the Columbia Snake River System

Operating a small fleet of ships along the Columbia and Snake rivers, American Cruise Lines (American) offers a unique experience for passengers—combining the beauty of the Northwest, visiting small port towns in Washington and Oregon, and showcasing the vital system of locks and dams along these federal waterways.

 

American Cruise Lines operates a total of 17 cruise ships in 35 states across the U.S. Originally starting out on the East Coast, they expanded their operations to the Pacific Northwest in 2010, and the Columbia and Snake River System has been pivotal to this growth. Today, American operates five ships on the river system, each accommodating between 100 to 180 guests.

 

Kristin Meira, American’s Director of Government Affairs, emphasizes just how important the Columbia Snake River System is in the success of this family-owned business.

 

"Our country’s network of federal waterways is a key part of our operations," Meira explains. "When it comes to our cruises on the Columbia Snake River System, everything is made possible by the system of locks and dams, from Bonneville to Lower Granite."

“When it comes to our cruises on the Columbia Snake River System, everything is made possible by the system of locks and dams, from Bonneville to Lower Granite.”

The company’s successful operating history on the Columbia Snake River System also relies on close partnerships with the communities they visit. The typical eight-day cruise itinerary includes visiting a new port city each day. These visits have significant economic impacts through guests’ participation in various tour options, shopping, and meals ashore. 


"We work closely with shore excursion providers, hotels, tourism bureaus, food and alcohol vendors, fuel companies, airports, and many more local businesses," Meira notes. American’s well-planned itineraries and coordination with port towns ensures a steady flow of tourists each day without overwhelming the local communities.

 

While guests are contributing to the economies in the communities they visit, they also gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of the Columbia Snake River System to the Northwest and the nation.


“We are proud to operate on this river system, and we strongly support the lock and dam system that makes navigation possible from Lewiston to Astoria.”

"Most of our Columbia/Snake cruise guests have joined us from other parts of the United States, and we know they go home with a new appreciation for the work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the dams and locks that provide safe, reliable navigation and multiple other benefits for our country,” said Meira.

As American Cruise Lines looks to introduce new riverboats and exciting itineraries to their fleet, this positive economic benefit is only projected to increase—and it’s all made possible thanks to our Columbia Snake River System.

 

"We are proud to operate on this river system,” said Meira. “We strongly support the lock and dam system that makes navigation possible from Lewiston to Astoria."

Share your river value

We all benefit from the federal system of dams and locks on the Columbia Snake River System. Whether you appreciate clean and reliable electricity, irrigation for farms, or affordable and fuel-efficient shipping, the Columbia Snake River System connects the Pacific Northwest to the world and keeps our region strong and balanced.


We’re looking for personal stories to share from our community about how the River System supports your life. If you’re a resident, worker or business owner who appreciates the public goods created and supported by the Columbia Snake River system, we want to share your story!


Share Your Story

Growing salmon counts demonstrate healthy rivers and healthy economies

By Mary Wiley • December 11, 2024
The numbers for 2024 are in, and salmon are having an amazing year as they return from the ocean to spawn in the headwaters of the Columbia and Snake rivers. Not everyone knows that the fish passage programs and facilities on the federally operated locks and dams of the Columbia Snake River System are some of the most effective in the world. Salmon famously travel hundreds of miles upriver to spawn, and that requires them to bypass the dams that power and irrigate our communities, and the locks that efficiently move our goods between local and global markets. Here’s a little report on what our communities do to steward healthy rivers and healthy economies.

Oktoberfest: brought to you in part by the Columbia Snake River System

By Mary Wiley • October 16, 2024
The fall harvest season gives us reason to celebrate in the Pacific Northwest, as farmers gather hops and wheat—key ingredients for beer—to support the booming brewing industry across the U.S. and abroad. At the heart of this success is the irrigation and transportation supplied by the federal locks and dams of the Columbia Snake River System. This vital infrastructure allows the Northwest to sustain its $3.5 billion beer industry, and the country’s $409 billion beer market.

Lessons from the 1992 Snake River drawdown

By Mary Wiley • August 19, 2024
The system of navigation locks and hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers has been the lifeblood of our region for over 80 years. Supporting agriculture, enabling efficient transportation, and providing carbon-free energy, the Columbia-Snake River System is indispensable to millions of people. But what if that infrastructure was no longer there? More than three decades ago, we caught a glimpse of that possibility during a test drawdown of the Snake River.

Our sustainable powerhouse: hydropower in the Northwest

By Mary Wiley • June 10, 2024
Hydropower has long been the backbone of the Northwest’s energy foundation. Since the first federal locks and dams were constructed along the Columbia and Snake rivers over 85 years ago, hydropower has been the primary energy source for millions across our region. This affordable, clean, reliable energy has offset harmful emissions, fueled economic growth, and is fundamental in our fight against climate change. Recognizing hydroelectric dams as a vital asset, many people advocate for the value of dams, and Northwest RiverPartners (NWRP) is one organization that firmly defends these assets. NWRP is a member-driven organization that serves community-owned electric utilities and other organizations that recognize the value of hydropower in the Northwest. Executive Director Clark Mather sat down to share about hydropower's vital role in Northwest communities.

The consequences of removing the lower Snake River Dams

By Mary Wiley • May 6, 2024
An initiative signed by the Biden administration is exploring a dangerous potential to remove the four lower Snake River Dams, which would simultaneously cripple our region’s economy and our fight against climate change. While the initiative argues dam removal could lead to the recovery of several salmon species, this action would have significant consequences, including serious impacts to irrigation, power supply, and transportation. A recent article in the Capital Press by Matthew Weaver examined these consequences in detail, highlighting the potential environmental and economic impacts of dam removal.

The low-cost, high-capacity system: a four-decade perspective on inland freight transportation

By Colleen Newell • November 16, 2023
Rob Rich is no stranger to the Columbia Snake River System. Having worked in transportation and commerce on the Columbia and Snake rivers for over four decades, he understands well the importance of the federal system of locks and dams that make navigation possible. Rich currently serves as the Vice President of Marine Services for Shaver Transportation Company, an inland freight transportation company based in Portland, Oregon. With a fleet of 16 tugs and 22 barges, Shaver operates many of the tugboats and barges that transport goods on the Columbia Snake River System. Rich got his start working with water machinery and transportation at Lake Coeur d’Alene in Northern Idaho, where he worked at a marina that was operated by a local tug company. Then in 1979 Rich headed to Portland to begin his career in the tug and barge industry. At that time, the region was experiencing significant expansion in inland freight transportation. “So many types of cargo were starting to move on the system because of the expansion into Idaho thanks to the Snake River Dams,” said Rich.

Hear from Columbia Basin farmer Blaine Meek

By Sidney Counts • August 25, 2023
The Columbia Basin boasts some of the nation’s most productive farmland, owed to its fertile soil, favorable climate, and abundant water from the Snake and Columbia rivers. This unique combination makes The Columbia Basin’s irrigated farmland up-to twice as productive as other regions in the country.

Current research is inconclusive regarding possible delayed mortality effects of Snake River dams

By Seth Baker • July 13, 2023
Research shows existing science fails to establish the magnitude and mechanism of delayed mortality hypothesis
A map of the dams and elevation changes on the Columbia Snake River Systems.

A word from Idaho's only seaport - 740 feet above sea level

By Mary Wiley • May 23, 2023
Port of Lewiston Commissioner Joseph Anderson has a long, multigenerational connection to the Columbia Snake River System. “Family farming is deeply ingrained in our community—my father, my daughter and I have all hauled wheat that shipped down the Snake River.”

Share Your River Value

By Mary Wiley • March 16, 2023
We all benefit from the federal system of dams and locks on the Columbia Snake River System.
More Posts