North Umpqua River
Encyclopedia
The North Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River
, approximately 100 miles (161 km) long, in southwestern Oregon
in the United States
. It drains a scenic and rugged area of the Cascade Range
southwest of Eugene
, flowing through steep canyons and surrounded by large Douglas-fir
forests. Renowned for its emerald green waters, it is considered one of the best fly fishing
streams in the Northwest for anadromous fish.
at elevation of 5980 feet (1,823 m) in the Mount Thielsen Wilderness
, along the Douglas
-Klamath
county line approximately 70 miles (113 km) east of Roseburg
. It follows a serpentine course down from the Cascades, westward along the southern side of the Calapooya Mountains
. Its upper course passes through the Umpqua National Forest
, past Toketee Falls
and Steamboat
, where it receives Steamboat Creek
from the north. It receives the Little River from the south at Glide
and joins the South Umpqua
from the east approximately 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Roseburg to form the Umpqua.
It is impounded in its upper reaches in the Cascades to form Lemolo Lake
for hydroelectricity
. It is also impounded for hydroelectricity at Soda Springs Dam, forming a small reservoir on the upper river.
The river's reputation as a world-class steelhead stream and its famous emerald waters are a result of the fact the river source is high enough in the Cascades to derive from snowmelt during the entire year. The melting snow is trapped in volcanic
soil and pumice
and released during the summer months, providing an even cool-temperature flow. During the summer the flow of the river is approximately 20 times that of the nearby South Umpqua. In its lower reaches, the river's flow becomes increasingly erratic, in a manner typical of mountain streams of the region.
The region around the river has long been a timber-producing area. Starting in 1955, the watershed of the river was extensively clear cut, a practice which continued until 1969 when forestry
management practices were changed. During this period many tributary streambeds were used as impromptu logging roads. The recovery of the river from these practices has been closely monitored by state and federal agencies.
designated approximately 33 miles (53 km) of the river downstream from the Soda Springs Powerhouse as the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River as part of the National Wild and Scenic River
program.
The river is a popular destination for fly fishing and is renowned for emerald green waters and its summer steelhead
activity, as well as for its salmon
runs. Its summer steelhead fishery is considered one of the best on the West Coast. Moreover, the river is known for its high concentration of native steelhead relative to the fishery stock. It is also a popular but challenging destination for whitewater rafting.
North Umpqua Trail
is a popular hiking and mountain biking destination.
Umpqua River
The Umpqua River on the Pacific coast of Oregon in the United States is approximately long. One of the principal rivers of the Oregon Coast and known for bass and shad, the river drains an expansive network of valleys in the mountains west of the Cascade Range and south of the Willamette Valley,...
, approximately 100 miles (161 km) long, in southwestern 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It drains a scenic and rugged area of the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
southwest of Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, flowing through steep canyons and surrounded by large Douglas-fir
Douglas-fir
Douglas-fir is one of the English common names for evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga in the family Pinaceae. Other common names include Douglas tree, and Oregon pine. There are five species, two in western North America, one in Mexico, and two in eastern Asia...
forests. Renowned for its emerald green waters, it is considered one of the best fly fishing
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
streams in the Northwest for anadromous fish.
Description
It rises in the high Cascades, issuing from Maidu LakeMaidu Lake
Maidu Lake is a small natural freshwater lake in the Cascade Range in eastern Douglas County, Oregon in the United States. It is the source of the North Umpqua River....
at elevation of 5980 feet (1,823 m) in the Mount Thielsen Wilderness
Mount Thielsen Wilderness
The Mount Thielsen Wilderness is a wilderness area located on and around Mount Thielsen in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon, United States. It is located within the Deschutes, Umpqua, and Winema National Forests...
, along the Douglas
Douglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
-Klamath
Klamath County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge* Crater Lake National Park * Deschutes National Forest * Fremont National Forest * Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge* Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge...
county line approximately 70 miles (113 km) east of Roseburg
Roseburg, Oregon
Roseburg is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the county seat of Douglas County. The population was 21,181 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. It follows a serpentine course down from the Cascades, westward along the southern side of the Calapooya Mountains
Calapooya Mountains
The Calapooya Mountains are a mountain range in Lane and Douglas counties of southwestern Oregon in the United States. The range runs for approximately west from the Cascade Range between Eugene on the north and Roseburg on the south.- Geology :...
. Its upper course passes through the Umpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest, in southern Oregon's Cascade mountains, covers an area of one-million acres in Douglas, Lane, and Jackson Counties, and borders Crater Lake National Park. The four ranger districts that comprise the Forest are Cottage Grove, Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger...
, past Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls is a waterfall located on the North Umpqua River in Southern Oregon, approximately east of Roseburg, Oregon, US near Oregon Route 138...
and Steamboat
Steamboat, Douglas County, Oregon
Steamboat is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. It is located about 39 miles east of Roseburg on Oregon Route 138, near the confluence of the North Umpqua River with Steamboat Creek within the Umpqua National Forest....
, where it receives Steamboat Creek
Steamboat Creek (Oregon)
Steamboat Creek is a short tributary of the North Umpqua River in southwestern Oregon in the United States. Approximately long, the creek is located on a remote part of the upper North Umpqua in the Calapooia Mountains west of the Cascade Range...
from the north. It receives the Little River from the south at Glide
Glide, Oregon
Glide is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,690 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
and joins the South Umpqua
South Umpqua River
The South Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River, approximately long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains part of the Cascade Range east of Roseburg...
from the east approximately 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Roseburg to form the Umpqua.
It is impounded in its upper reaches in the Cascades to form Lemolo Lake
Lemolo Lake
Lemolo Lake is a small lake and reservoir located in Douglas County, Oregon in the Umpqua National Forest 30 miles north of Crater Lake National Park...
for hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
. It is also impounded for hydroelectricity at Soda Springs Dam, forming a small reservoir on the upper river.
The river's reputation as a world-class steelhead stream and its famous emerald waters are a result of the fact the river source is high enough in the Cascades to derive from snowmelt during the entire year. The melting snow is trapped in volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
soil and pumice
Pumice
Pumice is a textural term for a volcanic rock that is a solidified frothy lava typically created when super-heated, highly pressurized rock is violently ejected from a volcano. It can be formed when lava and water are mixed. This unusual formation is due to the simultaneous actions of rapid...
and released during the summer months, providing an even cool-temperature flow. During the summer the flow of the river is approximately 20 times that of the nearby South Umpqua. In its lower reaches, the river's flow becomes increasingly erratic, in a manner typical of mountain streams of the region.
The region around the river has long been a timber-producing area. Starting in 1955, the watershed of the river was extensively clear cut, a practice which continued until 1969 when forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
management practices were changed. During this period many tributary streambeds were used as impromptu logging roads. The recovery of the river from these practices has been closely monitored by state and federal agencies.
Recreation
In 1988 the United States CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
designated approximately 33 miles (53 km) of the river downstream from the Soda Springs Powerhouse as the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River as part of the National Wild and Scenic River
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...
program.
The river is a popular destination for fly fishing and is renowned for emerald green waters and its summer steelhead
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
activity, as well as for its salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
runs. Its summer steelhead fishery is considered one of the best on the West Coast. Moreover, the river is known for its high concentration of native steelhead relative to the fishery stock. It is also a popular but challenging destination for whitewater rafting.
North Umpqua Trail
North Umpqua Trail
The North Umpqua Trail is a multi-use trail open for hiking, mountain biking and horse-back riding that follows the North Umpqua River in Southern Oregon, United States. The trail is about long. It is broken up into 11 sections, ranging from 3.5 to in length...
is a popular hiking and mountain biking destination.
See also
- List of rivers of Oregon
- List of longest streams of Oregon
- List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers