South Fork Burnt River

Last updated
South Fork Burnt River
Name origin:Either burned timber along its banks or burned-looking rocks along its course [1]
Country United States
State Oregon
County Baker
Source Blue Mountains
 - location Monument Rock Wilderness, Wallowa–Whitman National Forest
 - elevation6,825 ft (2,080 m) [2]
 - coordinates 44°20′35″N118°23′40″W / 44.34306°N 118.39444°W / 44.34306; -118.39444   [3]
Mouth Burnt River
 - locationUnity Reservoir, north of Unity
 - elevation3,825 ft (1,166 m) [3]
 - coordinates 44°29′23″N118°12′04″W / 44.48972°N 118.20111°W / 44.48972; -118.20111 Coordinates: 44°29′23″N118°12′04″W / 44.48972°N 118.20111°W / 44.48972; -118.20111   [3]
Length12 mi (19 km) [4]
USA Oregon location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of the mouth of the South Fork Burnt River in Oregon

The South Fork Burnt River is a tributary of the Burnt River in Baker County in the U.S. state of Oregon. [3] Its headwaters lie in the Monument Rock Wilderness and the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest of the Blue Mountains. It flows generally northeast for about to meet the main stem at Unity Reservoir, north of Unity. [5] The river, about 12 miles (19 km) long, crosses under U.S. Route 26 about 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Unity. [4]

Burnt River (Oregon) river in Oregon, United States

The Burnt River is a 98-mile-long (158 km) tributary of the Snake River in eastern Oregon, United States. It enters the Snake near Huntington, Oregon, at a point upstream of the Powder River and downstream of the Malheur River, slightly more than 327 miles (526 km) from the Snake's confluence with the Columbia River. Draining 1,090 square miles (2,800 km2), it flows predominately west to east.

Baker County, Oregon county in Oregon, USA

Baker County is a county in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,134. The county seat and largest city is Baker City. The county was split from the eastern part of Wasco County. Union County and Malheur County were set off from Baker County in 1864 and 1887 respectively. It is named after Edward Dickinson Baker, a senator from Oregon who was killed at Ball's Bluff, a battle of the Civil War in Virginia in 1861.

U.S. state constituent political entity sharing sovereignty as the United States of America

In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are currently 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory and shares its sovereignty with the federal government. Due to this shared sovereignty, Americans are citizens both of the federal republic and of the state in which they reside. State citizenship and residency are flexible, and no government approval is required to move between states, except for persons restricted by certain types of court orders. Four states use the term commonwealth rather than state in their full official names.

Contents

Recreation

The spring-fed river, with steady flow and cool temperatures, supports a healthy population of rainbow trout. Trout fishing is generally good along the main stem of the South Fork as well as on Elk Creek, a tributary, and Last Chance Creek, [4] a tributary of Elk Creek. [5]

Rainbow trout species of trout

The rainbow trout is a trout and species of salmonid native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is an anadromous (sea-run) form of the coastal rainbow trout(O. m. irideus) or Columbia River redband trout (O. m. gairdneri) that usually returns to fresh water to spawn after living two to three years in the ocean. Freshwater forms that have been introduced into the Great Lakes and migrate into tributaries to spawn are also called steelhead.

The South Fork Campground, along the creek 7 miles (11 km) from Unity, has 12 sites for tents or trailers and 2 sites for tents only. The campground is along Forest Road 6005 near the confluence of Rail Gulch and the South Fork. Amenities include vault toilets and picnic tables. [6]

Further upstream is Stevens Campground, along Forest Road 6005 about 8 miles (13 km) from Unity, with seven sites for tents. Amenities include picnic tables and toilets. [7]

Also along the South Fork is the Elk Creek Campground, about 9 miles (14 km) from Unity. It has 10 campsites along Forest Road 6005 near the confluence of Elk Creek with the South Fork. Amenities include vault toilets and picnic sites. [8]

The Blue Mountain/South Fork OHV trails are a 56-mile (90 km) complex of trails for hikers, bikers, and horse riders, as well as OHVs up to 50 inches (130 cm) wide. [9] The south end of the South Fork OHV trail is near South Fork Campground. [6] The trail system extends north toward Sumpter. [9]

Sumpter, Oregon City in Oregon, United States

Sumpter is a city in Baker County, Oregon, United States. The population was 204 at the 2010 census. Sumpter is named after Fort Sumter by its founders. The name was inspired by a rock as smooth and round as a cannonball, which reminded a local resident of the American Civil War and Fort Sumter.

Tributaries

Listed from source to mouth, the named tributaries of the South Fork Burnt River are Lookout Creek, which enters from the left; Bear Creek, right; Spring and Elk creeks and Rail Gulch, left; Stevens, Barney, and Amelia creeks, right; Steep Creek, left; Bullrun Creek, right, and Pole Creek and Powell Gulch, both from the left. [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

Salmon River (Clackamas County, Oregon) river in Oregons Cascade Range

The Salmon River is a 33.5-mile (53.9 km) river in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Oregon that drains part of southwestern Mount Hood. The entire length of the river is a protected National Wild and Scenic River. Several portions are in protected wilderness. It is affluent to the Sandy River, a tributary of the Columbia River.

Crooked River (Oregon) tributary of the Deschutes River in the U.S. state of Oregon

The Crooked River is a tributary, 125 miles (201 km) long, of the Deschutes River in the U.S. state of Oregon. The river begins at the confluence of the South Fork Crooked River and Beaver Creek. Of the two tributaries, the South Fork Crooked River is the larger and is sometimes considered part of the Crooked River proper. A variant name of the South Fork Crooked River is simply "Crooked River". The Deschutes River flows north into the Columbia River.

North Fork Malheur River river in the United States of America

The North Fork Malheur River is a 59-mile (95 km) tributary of the Malheur River in eastern Oregon in the United States. Rising in Big Cow Burn in the Blue Mountains, it flows generally south to join the larger river at Juntura. The upper 25.5 miles (41.0 km) of the river have been designated Wild and Scenic. This part of the river basin offers camping, hiking, and fishing opportunities in a remote forest setting. The lower river passes through Beulah Reservoir, which stores water for irrigation and has facilities for boaters.

Little North Santiam River river in the United States of America

The Little North Santiam River is a 27-mile (43 km) tributary of the North Santiam River in western Oregon in the United States. It drains 113 square miles (290 km2) of the Cascade Range on the eastern side of the Willamette Valley east of Salem.

South Fork McKenzie River tributary of the McKenzie River in Oregon

The South Fork McKenzie River is a tributary, about 31 miles (50 km) long, of the McKenzie River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins at about 4,500 feet (1,400 m) above sea level near Mink Lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness of the Cascade Range. Flowing northwest within Lane County, it meets the McKenzie River about 60 miles (97 km) from the larger river's confluence with the Willamette River.

French Pete Creek river in the United States of America

French Pete Creek is a tributary of the South Fork McKenzie River in Lane County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It flows generally west through the Three Sisters Wilderness to the south end of Cougar Reservoir, about 11 miles (18 km) from the larger river's confluence with the McKenzie River. The creek has two named tributaries—Olallie Creek and, further downstream, Pat Creek—both of which enter from the right.

South Fork Alsea River river in the United States of America

The South Fork Alsea River is a tributary of the Alsea River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins at northeast of Horton on the east side of the Central Oregon Coast Range and flows generally northwest to near Alsea. There it joins the North Fork Alsea River to form the main stem.

Smith River (McKenzie River tributary)

Smith River is a tributary of the McKenzie River in Linn County in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins near Browder Ridge in the Cascade Range and flows generally south through the Willamette National Forest to meet the larger river at Trail Bridge Reservoir, about 82 miles (132 km) upstream of the McKenzie's mouth on the Willamette River.

Roaring River (South Fork McKenzie River tributary)

Roaring River is a tributary of the South Fork McKenzie River in Lane County in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins along the west side of Roaring River Ridge in the Cascade Range and flows generally north through the Willamette National Forest to meet the larger stream about 22 miles (35 km) from its confluence with the McKenzie River.

North Fork Siuslaw River river in the United States of America

The North Fork Siuslaw River is a tributary of the Siuslaw River in Lane County in the United States state of Oregon. It is formed by the confluence of Sam Creek and West Branch in the Siuslaw National Forest of the Central Oregon Coast Range. The former community of Pawn was once at the juncture of the two creeks. From here, the river flows about 2 miles (3 km) southeast, then about 25 miles (40 km) southwest to meet the main stem 1.2 miles (1.9 km) east of Florence.

Beaver Creek (Crooked River)

Beaver Creek is a tributary of the Crooked River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is formed by the confluence of its two forks in southeastern Crook County, a sparsely populated part of Central Oregon. North Fork Beaver Creek flows south and then west around Laughlin Table. South Fork Beaver Creek drains the slopes of Snow Mountain and Funny Butte in southwestern Grant County before joining the North Fork.

North Fork Umatilla River river in the United States of America

The North Fork Umatilla River is a tributary of the Umatilla River in Union and Umatilla counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Its headwaters lie in the Umatilla National Forest in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. It flows generally northwest to meet the South Fork Umatilla River near Graves Butte. Together the two forks form the main stem Umatilla.

Little Minam River river in the United States of America

The Little Minam River is a tributary of the Minam River in Union County in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins at the base of Cartwheel Ridge in the Wallowa Mountains and flows generally north through the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest to meet the main stem river at the north end of Backbone Ridge.

North Fork Smith River (California) river in the United States

The North Fork Smith River is 28-mile (45 km) tributary of the Smith River that begins in the U.S. state of Oregon and ends in the U.S. state of California. Arising near Chetco Peak in the Klamath Mountains, it flows generally south to meet the Middle Fork Smith River at Gasquet, California. The combined streams form the Smith River.

South Fork Salmon River (Oregon)

The South Fork Salmon River is a tributary of the Salmon River in Clackamas County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Arising near Plaza Lake, it flows generally northeast along the east side of Salmon Mountain to meet the Salmon 11 miles (18 km) upstream of the larger stream's confluence with the Sandy River at Brightwood.

Eagle Creek (Powder River)

Eagle Creek is a tributary, 41 miles (66 km) long, of the Powder River in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Oregon. Beginning at Eagle Lake in the Wallowa Mountains, the creek flows generally southwest and then southeast to meet the river near the small city of Richland. The creek's headwaters are in the Eagle Cap Wilderness within the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. The upper 28.9 miles (46.5 km) of the creek, from Eagle Lake to the national forest boundary at Skull Creek, are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Fall Creek (Middle Fork Willamette River)

Fall Creek is a 34-mile (55 km) tributary of the Middle Fork Willamette River in Lane County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Beginning in the Cascade Range, the creek flows generally west through the Willamette National Forest to enter the Middle Fork upstream of Jasper, southeast of Springfield and Eugene.

Fall Creek Lake is a reservoir in Lane County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is about 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Eugene on Fall Creek, immediately upstream from Unity Bridge, a covered bridge. The communities of Unity, at the bridge site, and Lowell, south of Unity, are near the lake. The unincorporated community of Jasper is further downstream, below the confluence of Fall Creek with the Middle Fork Willamette River.

Pass Creek (Elk Creek) river in the United States of America

Pass Creek is a tributary of Elk Creek in the Umpqua River basin of the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins at Divide between the Coast Fork Willamette River watershed and the Umpqua watershed along Interstate 5 (I-5) in Lane County. It flows west into Douglas County and continues generally southwest to meet Elk Creek at the city of Drain, 24 miles (39 km) upstream of Elk Creek's confluence with the Umpqua.

Horse Creek (McKenzie River)

Horse Creek is a tributary of the McKenzie River in near the unincorporated community of McKenzie Bridge in Lane County in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins in the Cascade Range in the Three Sisters Wilderness of the Willamette National Forest. Its headwaters are near the Deschutes County border and the Pacific Crest Trail. It flows generally northwest to meet the river about 65 miles (105 km) upstream of the McKenzie's confluence with the Willamette River.

References

  1. ↑ McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 129. ISBN   0-87595-277-1.
  2. ↑ Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "South Fork Burnt River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 28, 1980. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. p. 260. ISBN   978-0-916473-15-0.
  5. 1 2 3 "United States Topographic Map". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved December 12, 2015– via ACME Mapper.
  6. 1 2 "South Fork Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Stevens Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Elk Creek Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Blue Mountain/South Fork OHV Trails". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.