| West Little Owyhee River | |
| Name Etymology: | An early name for Hawaii.[1] |
| Map: | West Little Owyhee (41812088661).jpg |
| Map Size: | 200 |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Oregon |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 200 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of West Little Owyhee River in Oregon |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Oregon |
| Subdivision Type4: | County |
| Subdivision Name4: | Malheur |
| Length: | 63miles |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 18cuft/s[2] |
| Source1 Location: | near McDermitt |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 42.1083°N -117.5842°W[3] |
| Source1 Elevation: | 6508feet[4] |
| Mouth: | Owyhee River |
| Mouth Location: | Oregon |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 42.4528°N -117.2094°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 4373feet |
| Basin Size: | 310sqmi |
West Little Owyhee River is a 63.1adj=midNaNadj=mid[5] tributary of the Owyhee River in the U.S. state of Oregon. The source of the river is at an elevation of near McDermitt, while the mouth is at an elevation of in the Owyhee Desert.[3] West Little Owyhee River has a 310sqmi watershed.[6]
The river begins east of McDermitt and flows east by Deer Flat and into Louse Canyon. Near Twin Buttes, it turns sharply north, still in Louse Canyon, which it follows through the Owyhee Desert all the way to the Owyhee River in Owyhee Canyon.[7] The entire river is protected as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.[8] [9]
Overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, the river offers fishing for smallmouth bass and trout, and the canyon area is scenic. Dispersed camping is allowed, although the watershed has no developed parks or campsites. Other forms of recreation include hiking, backpacking, hunting, picnicking, and biking.[10] Named tributaries from source to mouth are Lake Fork West Owyhee River, Jack Creek, Little Spring Creek, and Toppin Creek, which all enter from the right had side bank. Further downstream, Cave Creek enters from the left.[11]