subsequently established steamboat lines and railroads through the gorge. Today, the BNSF Railway runs freights along the Washington side of the river, while its rival, the Union Pacific Railroad, runs freights along the Oregon shore. Until 1997, Amtrak's Pioneer also used the Union Pacific tracks. The Portland segment of the Empire Builder uses the BNSF tracks that pass through the gorge. The Columbia River Highway, built in the early 20th century, was the first major paved highway in the Pacific Northwest. Shipping was greatly simplified after Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam submerged the gorge's major rapids such as Celilo Falls, a major salmon fishing site for local Native Americans until the site's submergence in 1957. In November 1986, Congress made the gorge the second U.S. National Scenic Area and established the Columbia River Gorge Commission as part of an interstate compact. The experimental designation came in lieu of being recognized as a national park, which would require the existing industries in towns along the river to relocate. The designation was initially opposed by residents fearing government encroachment, due to restrictions in the plan for items such as building paint colors, and was also opposed by conservationists who feared additional development in the region. In 2004, the gorge became the namesake of the Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area, a area located on both sides of the river. In fall 2017, the Eagle Creek Fire burned in the gorge for three months, consuming almost . It reached 100% containment on November 30, 2017, but was not yet completely out. Gallery See also Barlow Road, the first wagon-compatible pioneer road to provide a safer alternative to traveling through the gorge Cascades Rapids Proposed Columbia Gorge casino, a proposed off-reservation casino in Cascade Locks Wahclella Falls Nancy Neighbor Russell, conservationist and co-founder of Friends of the Columbia Gorge References External links U.S. Forest Service - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Columbia River Gorge Commission The Gorge Magazine Portland State University Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Collection—contains research material used to write the book Planning a New West: The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area The River They Saw Documentary produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting Archaeological sites in Oregon Archaeological sites in Washington (state) Valleys of Oregon Valleys of Washington (state) Protected areas of Clark County, Washington Columbia River Protected areas of Hood River County, Oregon Protected areas of Klickitat County, Washington