The Columbia is the most dammed River in North America, and a ghost of its former self. But the Columbia also has the longest stretch of undisturbed wetlands in North America. This vast maze of ever-changing ponds, streams, and channels is a nursery for millions of birds and diverse wildlife species. The 2000 kilometre-long Columbia River begins it complex path in southeastern British Columbia, and courses through interior desert, wet forest, and mountain range before crossing the US border 800 kilometres from its source. A large scale effort is underway to restore the Columbia's diverse ecosystems - a remarkable and inspiring story of biological ingenuity. The river will be forever linked to the great navigator David Thompson, who reached the mighty river's mouth in 1811, the first person to navigate the rivers entire length.