North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River Explained

North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River
Map Size:300
Pushpin Map:USA Oregon
Pushpin Map Size:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the mouth of the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River in Oregon
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:United States
Subdivision Type2:State
Subdivision Name2:Oregon
Subdivision Type4:County
Subdivision Name4:Lane
Source1:Waldo Lake
Source1 Location:Cascade Range
Source1 Coordinates:43.7669°N -122.0531°W
Mouth:Middle Fork Willamette River
Mouth Coordinates:43.7583°N -122.5242°W
Mouth Elevation:1033feet

The North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River as it is officially named but frequently called North Fork of the Willamette River or North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River has its headwaters at Waldo Lake and flows into the Middle Fork Willamette River northwest of Oakridge. In the first 3miles below Waldo Lake, the river drops 2400feet in 34 separate waterfalls through diverse natural plant life and old growth forest.[1]

The river has Oregon's longest covered bridge crossing it at Westfir, the Office Bridge.[2] Portions of the river were designated wild and scenic in 1988.[3] [4] The portion from Waldo Lake to 1miles upstream from Westfir is designated scenic by the State of Oregon[5] and is known for its native trout by fly fishermen.[1]

The river above Westfir is rated as class 3-4 (5) whitewater. Recommended flow range is 500cuft/s3000cuft/s.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Area Attractions . Oakridge Chamber of Commerce . 2007-06-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20070702161232/http://www.oakridgechamber.com/attractions.asp . 2007-07-02.
  2. Web site: North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette River (Office) Covered Bridge . Oregon Covered Bridges . 2007-06-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071024121444/http://www.oregon.com/covered_bridges/bridges/office.cfm . 2007-10-24.
  3. Willamette National Forest. 1995. Watershed Analysis: North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette River. Oakridge Ranger District, Oakridge, OR.
  4. Web site: Boundary Establishment for North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette National Wild and Scenic River, Willamette National Forest, Lane County, OR . Nancy Graybeal, Deputy Regional Forester . . December 4, 2000 . 2007-06-07.
  5. Web site: Removal-Fill in State Scenic Waterways . Oregon.gov . 2007-06-07.
  6. Web site: The Gorge to Westfir on the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River . WetDawg.com . 2007-06-07.