Washougal is a city in Clark County, Washington, on the north bank of the Columbia River at the western gateway to the Columbia River Gorge. With a population of about 17,000, it sits just east of Vancouver, Washington, and across the river from the Portland metropolitan area, occupying a stretch of riverfront and forested hills where the gorge begins to rise. The city's history reaches back to some of the earliest American settlement in the Pacific Northwest and to the Lewis and Clark expedition, whose route passed through the area. Pronounced wah-SHOO-gul, the city takes its name from the region's Chinookan heritage, and its early economy grew around the rivers and timber. A defining local institution is Pendleton Woolen Mills, whose factory and outlet store still operate in town as a local landmark. Two rivers shape Washougal. The Columbia River forms its southern boundary, where State Route 14 and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area begin their eastward course, and the Washougal River flows down from the Cascades to meet the Columbia, offering steelhead and salmon fishing along its course. Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies at the city's western edge, preserving Columbia River floodplain habitat for birds and other wildlife. Washougal functions as both a historic small town and a growing residential community within the Portland metro orbit. Its downtown, centered on Main Street and Reflection Plaza, hosts community events and public art, while the Pendleton outlet, local shops, and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum anchor its cultural life. Parks and trail systems connect the city to the gorge and the riverfront. Most of Washougal lies within the Washougal School District, with portions served by the neighboring Camas School District. Together with Camas, its larger neighbor to the west, Washougal forms the "gateway to the gorge"—a community where river, forest, and mountain recreation meet suburban convenience at the edge of the Portland area.