Spokane River - Human Use

Human Use

Until the 18th century, the Coeur d'Alene (Schḭtsu'umsh) and Spokane Indians (along with other Salish peoples) used to live and travel along the banks of the Spokane River.

Today, the metropolitan area of the city of Spokane, Washington (population 425,000) is the largest human settlement on the banks of the Spokane River. The metropolitan areas of Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls, Idaho (pop. 200,000) are also seated alongside the river. The Spokane River and Lake Coeur d'Alene area the primary sources of recharge for the Spokane aquifer, which is the primary source of drinking water for each of these settlements.