Middle Fork Willamette River | |
Map: | Mfwillamettemap.png |
Map Size: | 300 |
Pushpin Map: | USA Oregon |
Pushpin Map Size: | 300 |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of the Middle Fork Willamette River in Oregon |
Subdivision Type1: | Country |
Subdivision Name1: | United States |
Subdivision Type2: | State |
Subdivision Name2: | Oregon |
Subdivision Type4: | Counties |
Subdivision Name4: | Douglas and Lane |
Length: | 115miles |
Discharge1 Location: | Jasper |
Discharge1 Min: | 366cuft/s |
Discharge1 Avg: | 4087cuft/s |
Discharge1 Max: | 94000cuft/s |
Source1: | Timpanogas Lake, Cascade Range |
Source1 Coordinates: | 43.4133°N -122.1222°W[1] |
Source1 Elevation: | 5552feet[2] |
Mouth: | Willamette River |
Mouth Location: | between Eugene and Springfield |
Mouth Coordinates: | 44.0231°N -123.0236°W |
Mouth Elevation: | 440feet |
Basin Size: | 1340sqmi[3] |
Tributaries Right: | Salt Creek, North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River |
The Middle Fork Willamette River is one of several forks that unite to form the Willamette River in the western part of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is approximately 115miles long,[1] draining an area of the Cascade Range southeast of Eugene, which is at the southern end of the Willamette Valley.
The Middle Fork Willamette River is formed in northeastern Douglas County by the joining of several small headwater streams near Emigrant Pass. The river flows generally north into Lane County, through the Calapooya Mountains, to the vicinity of Eugene and Springfield, where it joins the Coast Fork Willamette River to form the Willamette River proper.
Just south (upriver) of Oakridge, the Middle Fork is impounded in Hills Creek Reservoir, created by Hills Creek Dam. Below the dam, the river receives Salt Creek and then Salmon Creek at Oakridge. At Westfir, the Middle Fork is joined by the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River from the right bank. Below this confluence, the Middle Fork is impounded by two more reservoirs, Lookout Point Reservoir and Dexter Reservoir. Fall Creek enters from the right below Dexter before the Middle Fork joins the Coast Fork in Springfield to form the main stem Willamette River.[4]
Named tributaries from source to mouth are Beaver, Tumblebug, Royal, Fizz, Indigo, Found, Skunk, Swift, Mac, and Echo creeks. Then come Staley, Maple, Simpson, Gravel, Deadhorse, Jims, Coal, Youngs, and What Creek. Further downstream are Indian, Dry, Spring Butte, Boulder, Butcherknife, Snake, Fy, Emile, Estep, and Bohemia creeks.[5]
Bills, Cone, Buck, Gold, and Windfall creeks are next, followed by a series of streams that enter the river via Hills Creek Reservoir. They are Snow, Coffeepot, Big Willow, Little Willow, Stony, Bull, Packard, Modoc, Larlson, and Hills creeks.[5]
Downstream of Hills Lake Reservoir come Salt, Salmon, Shortridge, Gray, Spot, and Chillo creeks, followed by the North Fork Willamette River. Then come Deception, Dell, Buckhead, Bridge, Tire, Whitehead, Rock, and Hospital creeks.[5]
Entering the Middle Fork via Lookout Point Reservoir are Duval, Carpet Hill, Schweitzer, South, North, Armet, Harper, Cain, School, Rhodes, Crale, Goodman, Fern, Bannister, Hazel, Rolling Riffle, and Minnow creeks. Noisy Creek enters the river via Dexter Reservoir. Below the reservoir come Lost Creek, then Fall Creek, Alder, Rattlesnake, Hills, Wallace, and Pudding creeks before the Middle Fork meets the Coast Fork to form the Willamette.[5]