According to the Port of Kennewick, Clover Island was originally at one time 162 acres, and was much lower than it is at present day; the island is now comprised of approximately 16 acres. There were five smaller 'dots' of islands nearby, but those went away in 1953 with the higher river levels from McNary and Ice Harbor Dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Clover Island was so named because early Pasco and Kennewick residents noticed the undeveloped land was covered in clover plants, and the island was noted by Lewis and Clark on October 17, 1805 in their expedition log. The rocky shoreline next to the 'no wake' zone harbor where a lot of boats are moored year-round was the original shoreline, but after McNary Dam was built, large basalt rocks were brought in to reinforce and build up the shoreline, and the Duffy's Pond area was created for boat mooring. The Coast Guard Station was moved from John Day, Oregon further down the Columbia, to Clover Island in 1962, and the distinctive lighthouse was built in 2010 as part of efforts to upgrade the facilities. Clover Island Light, the notable concrete and steel framed lighthouse, is the first to be built in the United States since 1962. The Metz Plaza shade structure features wooden beams and wire cables designed to evoke the image of a ship’s bow and sails. The structure is reflective of a nautical theme and inspired by the nearby twin-span, cable-stay suspension bridge. Climbing wisteria vines help shade the plaza as visitors take in the views and amenities of the island. Wisteria also helps hide this cache.
Tri-Cities 2023 Geocoin Challenge
Tales of the Tri-Cities
- Complete all 4 Adventure Labs and find 4 event geocaches in each city (16 out of 20 traditional geocaches).
- Return completed passport: John Dam Plaza: ~ Sat, June 24, 3-7pm & Sun, June 25, 9am-12pm
- After Sunday, June 25 @ 2 pm, return the completed passport to Richland Parks & Recreation
- Richland Parks & Rec: N46 16.369 W119 16.273 ~ Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 12-4pm
- Cache questions: call 509.578.9332
- Passport must be in one piece, not torn or mutilated.
- Coins available while supplies last.
- Passports available at John Dam Plaza on Saturday, June 24, after 9:30am.
EVENT GEOCOIN CHALLENGE PASSPORT (Link goes live: 6/24 – 11am)
Kid Challenge
- Find 10 out of the 20 event geocaches throughout the Tri-Cities.
- All the geocaches have 3D rubs.
- Complete the Kid’s Passport.
KIDS GEOCOIN CHALLENGE PASSPORT (Link goes live: 6/24 – 11am)