The Columbia River is a major river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is the fourth largest river in the United States and the largest in the Pacific Northwest. The river begins in British Columbia, Canada and flows south through Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Along its course, it passes through several cities, including SHAD (4 letters), YAKIMA (6 letters), DAMMED (6 letters), ASTORIA (7 letters), SNAKE (5 letters), YUKON (5 letters), and FRASER (6 letters). These cities are all located along the Columbia River and are important to the region's economy and culture.