Canal Flats is a small community with approximately 700 residents. The headwaters of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers are right here, at the village of Canal Flats. Though rising in British Columbia most of the Columbia is in Washington State, continuing its journey to its mouth at Astoria, Oregon bordering Washington and Oregon and eventually to the Pacific Ocean.
The sign,
Welcome to Canal Flats: Source of the Mighty Columbia overlooks a portion of the Kootenay River which will eventually join the Columbia. Interestingly there is a newly occupied Osprey nest not far from the sign. There is a painted saw blade with the Columbia River as part of the scenery in the sign.
"The Source of the Columbia River
The source of the fourth largest river system in North America starts here within the Village of Canal Flats. Bubbling out of the ground from deep springs, and filling Columbia Lake with its awe inspiring jade blue green colour, the mighty Columbia River is turned loose, flowing north, then turning south and west and finally emptying into the Pacific Ocean, over a 2500 km journey."
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology