Prior to the construction of the McNary Dam near Umatilla, Oregon, Clover Island had an area of around 162 acres (66 ha).

[1] Members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition visited Clover Island on October 17, 1805, while en route to the Pacific Ocean.

Future plans include constructing buildings to house a post office as well as retail space and mixed use developments.

There are also plans to create a few new viewpoints at various locations on the island to provide scenic views of the Columbia River and the bridges crossing it.

They also hold secondary responsibility for all other navigational aids between Hood River and Fort Peck, Montana, which includes major lakes near Spokane and in the Idaho Panhandle.