Imnaha River
Encyclopedia
The Imnaha River is a 73.3 miles (118 km) tributary of the Snake River
in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. Flowing generally east near the headwaters and then north through Wallowa County
, the entire river is designated Wild and Scenic
. It follows a geologic fault to the Snake River, and in addition to land in the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest and private land, its corridor includes parts of three special management areas: the Eagle Cap Wilderness
, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
, and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
. The Imnaha flows by the unincorporated
community of Imnaha
, the only named settlement along its course, and enters the Snake River roughly 4 miles (6 km) from the larger river's confluence with the Salmon River
of Idaho
and 192 miles (309 km) from its confluence with the Columbia River
.
and the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest and flows east and then north and north-northeast through Wallowa County, Oregon
, for about 64 miles (103 km) to the Snake River
on the Oregon-Idaho
border. The unincorporated
community of Imnaha
is the only named settlement through which the river passes. The Imnaha River rises at about 5300 feet (1,615.4 m) above sea level
and, in a canyon along a geologic fault line, descends about 4400 feet (1,341.1 m) between source and mouth.
Flowing east from its source, the river receives Deadman Canyon from the right, then passes over Imnaha Falls and receives Rock Creek from the right bank before entering Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
at river mile
(RM) 60 or river kilometer (RK) 97. About 2 miles (3 km) further downstream, the river leaves the Eagle Cap Wilderness and flows by Indian Crossing and Evergreen campgrounds, both on the left bank, and Hidden Campground on the right. Beginning at Indian Crossing at RM 57 (RK 92), Upper Imnaha Road, also known as National Forest Development Road (NFD) 3960, runs parallel to the river along its left bank. Just below RM 54 (RK 87), Skookum Creek enters from the left, and the river passes Coverdale Campground, which is on the right.
About 2 miles (3 km) later, the river turns toward the north and it continues generally north or slightly east of north for the rest of its course. Beaverdam Creek enters from the left and Dry Creek from the right before the river reaches Ollokot Campground, on the right at about RM 48.5 (RK 78.1). Near the confluence with Dry Creek, the river passes under the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
, also known as the Wallowa Mountain Loop and as NFD 39. At this point, the byway and Upper Imnaha Road become contiguous and run along the river's left bank. Blackhorse Campground is on the left shortly thereafter, and Blackhorse Creek enters from the left. Over the next stretch, the river receives Gumboot Creek, where the scenic byway leaves the river and follows the creek while Upper Imnaha Road, also known as NFD 3955 below this point, continues parallel to the river along its left bank. Soon Mahogany, Nine Point, and Spring creeks enter from the left, then Crazyman Creek from the right, followed by Henry Creek and Keener Gulch, both from the left, Grizzly Creek from the right, and Leggett Gulch from the left just upstream of RM 41 (RK 66).
Further along, Trail Creek enters from the right, and Upper Imnaha Road crosses the river and continues parallel to it along its right bank. Soon Neil Canyon and Johnson Creek, where Upper Imnaha Road crosses to the left bank, enter from the right. Below this, Shin Creek enters from the right, then Grouse Creek from the left at Park Cemetery, which is on the left. Thereafter, Musty and Balter creeks enter from the right, and Line Creek from the left about 33 miles (53.1 km) from the mouth. Downstream, Winston Creek enters from the right and Park Creek from the left, then Beeler Creek from the left before the river flows by Imnaha Grange Hall, on the left. Chalk Creek enters from the left and Campbell Creek from the right shortly thereafter, followed by Dunn Creek from the left and Freezeout Creek from the right. Slightly downstream of the confluence with Freezeout Creek, Upper Imnaha Road crosses the river again and runs along its right bank all the way to the community of Imnaha. Soon Indian and Turner creeks enter from the left and Blackmore and Double creeks from the right before the river passes the College Creek Ranger Station, on the left at about RM 27 (RK 43). Near the station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places
, College Creek enters from the right.
Below the historic forest ranger station, Adams, Schleur, Spring, Snell, Loyd, Keeler, Jody, Thorn, Dunlap, Rippleton, Dead Horse, High Camp, and Deer creeks enter from the right before Sheep Creek enters from the left near Imnaha
at RM 19.5 (RK 31.4). At Imnaha, the river passes under Oregon Route 350
, which links the community to Joseph
to the southwest. The bridge that carries the highway is its eastern terminus and is also the western terminus of Hat Point Road, also known as NFD 4240, which drops down to the river from Grizzly Ridge. Downstream of Imnaha, the road running parallel to the river along its right bank is known as Lower Imnaha Road. Slightly below Imnaha, the river passes a United States Geological Survey
(USGS) gauge, which is on the left, before receiving Adams Canyon and Bailey Canyon creeks from the right, Weaver Canyon from the left, and then Burcher Canyon from the right. Further downstream, the river receives Bare Creek from the left, and shortly thereafter Lower Imnaha Road crosses to the left bank and becomes Dug Bar Road (NFD 4260). Then Fence, Fall, Log, Kettle, Packsaddle, Buck, Little Basin, and Corral creeks enter from the left, before the river receives Thorn Creek from the left about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the mouth. Below this, Tulley Creek enters from the left and Lightning and Cow creeks from the right. Just upstream of Cow Creek, Dug Bar Road crosses the river to its right bank and continues away from it overland toward the Snake River upstream of its confluence with the Imnaha River, which has no road next to it for its final stretch. Below Cow Creek, Vance Draw enters from the left, Trough Gulch from the right, and Toomey Gulch from the left. The Imnaha River enters the Snake River
about 4 miles (6.4 km) above the larger river’s confluence with the Salmon River
of Idaho
and 192 miles (309 km) from its confluence with the Columbia River
.
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. Flowing generally east near the headwaters and then north through Wallowa County
Wallowa County, Oregon
Wallowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the origins of the county's name are uncertain, with the most likely explanation being that it is derived from the Nez Perce term for a...
, the entire river is designated Wild and Scenic
National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States.The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of the recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission...
. It follows a geologic fault to the Snake River, and in addition to land in the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest and private land, its corridor includes parts of three special management areas: the Eagle Cap Wilderness
Eagle Cap Wilderness
Eagle Cap Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon , within the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. The Wilderness was established in 1940. In 1964, it was included in the National Wilderness Preservation System...
, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area located on the borders of the U.S. states of Oregon and Idaho. The recreation area was established by U.S...
, and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a designated All-American Road in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located at the northeast corner of Oregon and comprises Oregon Route 82, Forest Roads 39 and 3365, and most of Oregon Route 86...
. The Imnaha flows by the unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
community of Imnaha
Imnaha, Oregon
Imnaha is an unincorporated community at the confluence of Big Sheep Creek and the Imnaha River in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. Its elevation is . Oregon Route 350 connects Imnaha to the nearest incorporated city, Joseph, Oregon, to the west....
, the only named settlement along its course, and enters the Snake River roughly 4 miles (6 km) from the larger river's confluence with the Salmon River
Salmon River (Idaho)
The Salmon River is located in Idaho in the northwestern United States. The Salmon is also known as The River of No Return. It flows for through central Idaho, draining and dropping more than between its headwaters, near Galena Summit above the Sawtooth Valley in the Sawtooth National...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and 192 miles (309 km) from its confluence with the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
.
Course
Formed by the confluence of its north and south forks, the Imnaha River begins in the Eagle Cap WildernessEagle Cap Wilderness
Eagle Cap Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon , within the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. The Wilderness was established in 1940. In 1964, it was included in the National Wilderness Preservation System...
and the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest and flows east and then north and north-northeast through Wallowa County, Oregon
Wallowa County, Oregon
Wallowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. According to Oregon Geographic Names, the origins of the county's name are uncertain, with the most likely explanation being that it is derived from the Nez Perce term for a...
, for about 64 miles (103 km) to the Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
on the Oregon-Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
border. The unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
community of Imnaha
Imnaha, Oregon
Imnaha is an unincorporated community at the confluence of Big Sheep Creek and the Imnaha River in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. Its elevation is . Oregon Route 350 connects Imnaha to the nearest incorporated city, Joseph, Oregon, to the west....
is the only named settlement through which the river passes. The Imnaha River rises at about 5300 feet (1,615.4 m) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
and, in a canyon along a geologic fault line, descends about 4400 feet (1,341.1 m) between source and mouth.
Flowing east from its source, the river receives Deadman Canyon from the right, then passes over Imnaha Falls and receives Rock Creek from the right bank before entering Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area located on the borders of the U.S. states of Oregon and Idaho. The recreation area was established by U.S...
at river mile
River mile
In the United States, a River mile is a measure of distance in miles along a river from its mouth. River mile numbers begin at zero and increase further upstream. The corresponding metric unit using kilometers is the River kilometer...
(RM) 60 or river kilometer (RK) 97. About 2 miles (3 km) further downstream, the river leaves the Eagle Cap Wilderness and flows by Indian Crossing and Evergreen campgrounds, both on the left bank, and Hidden Campground on the right. Beginning at Indian Crossing at RM 57 (RK 92), Upper Imnaha Road, also known as National Forest Development Road (NFD) 3960, runs parallel to the river along its left bank. Just below RM 54 (RK 87), Skookum Creek enters from the left, and the river passes Coverdale Campground, which is on the right.
About 2 miles (3 km) later, the river turns toward the north and it continues generally north or slightly east of north for the rest of its course. Beaverdam Creek enters from the left and Dry Creek from the right before the river reaches Ollokot Campground, on the right at about RM 48.5 (RK 78.1). Near the confluence with Dry Creek, the river passes under the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a designated All-American Road in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located at the northeast corner of Oregon and comprises Oregon Route 82, Forest Roads 39 and 3365, and most of Oregon Route 86...
, also known as the Wallowa Mountain Loop and as NFD 39. At this point, the byway and Upper Imnaha Road become contiguous and run along the river's left bank. Blackhorse Campground is on the left shortly thereafter, and Blackhorse Creek enters from the left. Over the next stretch, the river receives Gumboot Creek, where the scenic byway leaves the river and follows the creek while Upper Imnaha Road, also known as NFD 3955 below this point, continues parallel to the river along its left bank. Soon Mahogany, Nine Point, and Spring creeks enter from the left, then Crazyman Creek from the right, followed by Henry Creek and Keener Gulch, both from the left, Grizzly Creek from the right, and Leggett Gulch from the left just upstream of RM 41 (RK 66).
Further along, Trail Creek enters from the right, and Upper Imnaha Road crosses the river and continues parallel to it along its right bank. Soon Neil Canyon and Johnson Creek, where Upper Imnaha Road crosses to the left bank, enter from the right. Below this, Shin Creek enters from the right, then Grouse Creek from the left at Park Cemetery, which is on the left. Thereafter, Musty and Balter creeks enter from the right, and Line Creek from the left about 33 miles (53.1 km) from the mouth. Downstream, Winston Creek enters from the right and Park Creek from the left, then Beeler Creek from the left before the river flows by Imnaha Grange Hall, on the left. Chalk Creek enters from the left and Campbell Creek from the right shortly thereafter, followed by Dunn Creek from the left and Freezeout Creek from the right. Slightly downstream of the confluence with Freezeout Creek, Upper Imnaha Road crosses the river again and runs along its right bank all the way to the community of Imnaha. Soon Indian and Turner creeks enter from the left and Blackmore and Double creeks from the right before the river passes the College Creek Ranger Station, on the left at about RM 27 (RK 43). Near the station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, College Creek enters from the right.
Below the historic forest ranger station, Adams, Schleur, Spring, Snell, Loyd, Keeler, Jody, Thorn, Dunlap, Rippleton, Dead Horse, High Camp, and Deer creeks enter from the right before Sheep Creek enters from the left near Imnaha
Imnaha, Oregon
Imnaha is an unincorporated community at the confluence of Big Sheep Creek and the Imnaha River in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. Its elevation is . Oregon Route 350 connects Imnaha to the nearest incorporated city, Joseph, Oregon, to the west....
at RM 19.5 (RK 31.4). At Imnaha, the river passes under Oregon Route 350
Oregon Route 350
Oregon Route 350 is an Oregon state highway running from Joseph to Imnaha. OR 350 is known as the Little Sheep Creek Highway No. 350...
, which links the community to Joseph
Joseph, Oregon
Joseph is a city in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. Originally named Silver Lake and Lake City, in 1880 the city formally named itself for Nez Perce Chief Joseph. The population was 1,054 at the 2000 census.- History :...
to the southwest. The bridge that carries the highway is its eastern terminus and is also the western terminus of Hat Point Road, also known as NFD 4240, which drops down to the river from Grizzly Ridge. Downstream of Imnaha, the road running parallel to the river along its right bank is known as Lower Imnaha Road. Slightly below Imnaha, the river passes a United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
(USGS) gauge, which is on the left, before receiving Adams Canyon and Bailey Canyon creeks from the right, Weaver Canyon from the left, and then Burcher Canyon from the right. Further downstream, the river receives Bare Creek from the left, and shortly thereafter Lower Imnaha Road crosses to the left bank and becomes Dug Bar Road (NFD 4260). Then Fence, Fall, Log, Kettle, Packsaddle, Buck, Little Basin, and Corral creeks enter from the left, before the river receives Thorn Creek from the left about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the mouth. Below this, Tulley Creek enters from the left and Lightning and Cow creeks from the right. Just upstream of Cow Creek, Dug Bar Road crosses the river to its right bank and continues away from it overland toward the Snake River upstream of its confluence with the Imnaha River, which has no road next to it for its final stretch. Below Cow Creek, Vance Draw enters from the left, Trough Gulch from the right, and Toomey Gulch from the left. The Imnaha River enters the Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
about 4 miles (6.4 km) above the larger river’s confluence with the Salmon River
Salmon River (Idaho)
The Salmon River is located in Idaho in the northwestern United States. The Salmon is also known as The River of No Return. It flows for through central Idaho, draining and dropping more than between its headwaters, near Galena Summit above the Sawtooth Valley in the Sawtooth National...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and 192 miles (309 km) from its confluence with the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
.
See also
- List of rivers of Oregon
- List of longest streams of Oregon
- List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers