Storied Waters of Oregon
By Charles M. Skinner
Oregon, a land of stunning natural beauty, is also a repository of captivating tales and legends, many of which are intertwined with its numerous bodies of water. From the deep, cerulean depths of Crater Lake to the mighty Columbia River, these waterways are not merely geographical features; they are living tapestries woven with stories of mythical creatures, cursed treasures, and the enduring power of the human spirit. This exploration delves into some of the most enduring water-based legends of Oregon, revealing the folklore that colors the state’s landscape.
Water Devils of Crater Lake
Crater Lake, a jewel of the Cascade Mountains, holds a mystique that goes far beyond its breathtaking beauty. The Klamath Indians, native to the region, once regarded Crater Lake with a mixture of awe and dread, believing it to be the domain of powerful, malevolent water devils. These entities, according to their lore, lurked beneath the placid surface, eager to drag unsuspecting souls into the frigid depths to a watery grave.
For many years, the indigenous people hesitated to approach the lake, their fear fueled by tales passed down through generations. Even when the first European-American explorers arrived, the Klamath were reluctant to serve as guides, their apprehension palpable. These newcomers recognized the lake’s grandeur, attributing it to the work of a "Great Spirit," yet they couldn’t fully comprehend its significance within the indigenous worldview.
One Klamath man, however, felt compelled to understand the lake’s mysteries. Unlike his companions, who quickly departed after beholding the immense caldera filled with sapphire water, he remained, driven by a desire to decipher any potential message from the deities he suspected resided there. He camped on the edge of the precipitous cliffs, patiently awaiting a sign.
Night after night, the man experienced vivid dreams, filled with disembodied voices and indistinct figures. He couldn’t discern their meaning, but the recurring nature of these visions convinced him that the lake held a profound secret. Emboldened, he descended to the water’s edge and bathed in its chilling waters. To his surprise, he felt a surge of strength coursing through him. He believed the figures in his dreams were genii of the water.
One fateful day, as he attempted to catch a fish for sustenance, his act was met with swift retribution. A multitude of water devils rose from the depths, seizing him and carrying him to a towering rock formation on the lake’s north side, a precipice rising two thousand feet above the water. Without mercy, they hurled him from the summit, his body shattering upon the rocks below. The devils then devoured his remains, forever developing a taste for human blood.
The Klamath Indians believed that a rock formation on the south side of the lake, known as the Phantom Ship, was a destructive monster. Thus, the legends of Storied Waters of Oregon continue to be passed down.
Amhuluk Monster of Forked Mountain
In the vicinity of Forked Mountain lies a lake, home to a fearsome creature known as Amhuluk. This monster, according to local legends, possessed an insatiable hunger for drowning all living things. The lore describes Amhuluk as a powerful being, capable of manipulating the very landscape around his watery abode. It was said that his presence warped the reflection of the sky and trees, making them appear upside down in the water. Wherever Amhuluk walked, the ground would soften and give way, creating treacherous bogs and sinkholes.
One tragic incident highlights the terror associated with Amhuluk. Three children were digging roots near the lake’s edge when the monster emerged from the depths. He impaled two of them on his horns, while the eldest managed to escape with his life. The surviving boy, however, was forever marked by the encounter, his body bearing strange flaws as a testament to Amhuluk’s power.
The children’s father, suspecting the truth, rushed to the lake. There, he witnessed a horrifying spectacle. The bodies of his children rose from the muddy depths, only to sink again and reappear across the water, leading him further into Amhuluk’s domain. A thick fog began to rise from the lake, obscuring the scene, but the father could still see his children impaled on the monster’s horns, their voices crying out, "We have changed our bodies."
Five times the children emerged from the fog, speaking to their father, and five times he pleaded with them to return. But their transformation was irreversible. Amhuluk had claimed them, and they were destined to remain with him forever. For five days, the father remained at the lake, mourning his lost children, but after that, they vanished, leaving him with only the haunting memory of their final words. This story shows how the Storied Waters of Oregon are filled with tales of the supernatural.
Cursed Treasure of Columbia City
The shores of the Columbia River, near present-day Columbia City, are said to hold a tale of mutiny, murder, and a cursed treasure. In 1841, a Spanish bark sought water in the area. The ship’s crew was a rough bunch, and the officers were wary, knowing that the vessel carried a valuable cargo. As soon as the anchor dropped, the sailors turned on their captain, killing him and seizing the ship’s treasure.
The mutineers took their loot ashore, but disagreements quickly arose. Quarrels broke out over each man’s share, and it’s likely that several were killed in the ensuing chaos. The presence of hostile Indians further complicated matters. The mutineers decided to bury most of the treasure on what was then known as Hez Copier’s farm, hoping to retrieve it later.
However, their plans were thwarted when a large group of Indians set up camp nearby, effectively blocking their access to the buried treasure. The mutineers returned to their ship and, after waiting in vain for an opportunity to go ashore, sailed away.
Two years later, after a period of wandering, fighting, and reckless spending, the remaining crew members returned to Oregon, hoping to reclaim their hidden riches. But when they arrived at the burial site, they found no trace of their treasure. It was as if the ground had never been disturbed. The man who had supervised the burial mysteriously disappeared.
Decades later, in Columbia City, a group of Spiritualists held a meeting. A medium claimed to have received a revelation pinpointing the exact location of the hidden treasure. A group went to the site and, after days of searching, uncovered a layer of broken stone just beneath the surface.
As they removed the stones, one of the searchers suddenly died. The medium declared that the spirit of the murdered captain had claimed him. Frightened by this event, the search was abandoned. The search resumed in March 1890. The group discovered several human skeletons, possibly the remains of mutineers killed in the earlier fight. During the examination, a man fell into a fit of raving madness, causing the search to be abandoned once more. The treasure of Columbia City is now said to be under an immutable curse, forever guarded by the vengeful spirits of those who died for it. The mystery surrounding the Storied Waters of Oregon continues to captivate people.
These are just a few of the many water-based legends that enrich Oregon’s cultural heritage. From the haunting tales of Crater Lake to the cursed treasure of Columbia City, these stories serve as a reminder of the enduring power of myth and folklore, shaping our understanding of the landscape and the human experience. The state’s waterways are more than just scenic features; they are living embodiments of the stories we tell ourselves, connecting us to the past and shaping our vision of the future. The Storied Waters of Oregon are truly a source of fascination. The Storied Waters of Oregon continue to intrigue.