4 p. Article describing the building of the Columbia River Highway, including construction details. The article also contains six photographs: one full-page photograph depicting a picturesque curve around the cliffs at Shepperd's Dell, one showing Horse-tail falls, one showing the observation windows in the tunnel at Storm Cliff, one showing the bridge at Sheppherd's Dell, one depicting the view from Chanticleer Inn, and one showing the panormaic view at Crown Point. Also included on two of the pages are some writings dealing with unrelated topics.
1 p. This essay by Walter V. Woehlke describes the history of the decision to build the jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River, and details some of the difficulties faced by engineers due to the forces of river current, ocean, and weather. The construction of the Celilo Falls canal is also mentioned. The three accompanying photographs show the seven-mile-long jetty, both in calm seas and with storm-driven waves breaking over it, and a view of rock pillars upstream near the area of the canal.
Volume II, Part I consists of the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army published in 1888. The Report lists various waterway construction projects including descriptions of their progress and budgetary information.
3 p. An article by Katherine Louise Smith giving a historical and descriptive tour of the Columbia River, including photographs of the Columbia near the Dalles, Memaloose Island, Oneonta Gorge, Multnomah Falls, and of the harbor at Portland, Oregon.
2 p. Article detailing the salmon fishing industry on the Columbia River, including providing details on salmon spawning and the use of fish wheels. The use of Chinese, Scandinavian, and Russian immigrants in the fishing and canning is described. There is also discussion of the town of Astoria and its expected growth.
1 p. A brief column and two photographs by H. H. Shank describing the scenic beauties of the Columbia River and its shores, which according to him compare advantageously in picturesque attraction with those of the Rhine in Germany. He also touches on "Memeluse Island". The accompanying photographs are of Hercules Pillars, and of a Native American burial structure on Memaloose Island.