Columbia Island came into being in 1916, when the Potomac River was dredged and the spoils piled up on the Virginia shore. Because the new land formed an island, it automatically became part of Washington, thanks to an ancient law that denies Virginia even part-ownership of the Potomac.

In the 1930's the island became a key link in the metro area's growing road network. The George Washington Memorial Parkway and Arlington Memorial Bridge were created, along with many connecting roads. The island was also landscaped, but its chief purpose was to carry motor traffic.
In 1968 the National Park Service designated the island as Lady Bird Johnson Park, in honor of the then first lady's efforts to beautify the country. The Lyndon B. Johnson memorial was added in 1974, the year after the former president passed away. The island now has many dogwoods, pines, and flowering bushes, as well as literally a million daffodils and some great views of Washington D.C.

Columbia Island is a great kayaking destination for quiet, scenic paddles. Some of the advantages are as follows: it has a public access ramp and, for paddlers, there is no cost in launching from this ramp. The Island is also very accessible from Washington. And, its Boundary Channel is just a great place to see Black Crowned Night Herons, Wood Ducks, Painted Turtles.

After existing from the Boundary Channel, you find yourself at Theodore Roosevelt Island. Passing around Roosevelt Island and paddling down river, you clearly see the three major Washington memorials- Lincoln, Jefferson, and the Washington Monument.

The Boundary Channel can only navigated at high tide, unless you want to exit the boat and pull it over a very short gravel bar.

The complete trip (paddling up the Boundary Channel, going around Roosevelt Island, and returning to Columbia Island) is about 5 miles. If you just want a nice, quiet paddle, you can stay in the Boundary Channel.