Fremont-Winema National Forests
Encyclopedia
The Fremont–Winema National Forests are two United States National Forest
s, Fremont National Forest
and Winema National Forest
, that were administratively combined in 2002. They cover territory in southern Oregon
from the crest of the Cascades
on the west, past the city of Lakeview
to the east. The northern end of the forests is bounded by U.S. Route 97
on the west, and Oregon Route 31 on the east. To the south, the state border with California
forms the boundary of the forests. Klamath Falls
is the only city of significant size in the vicinity. The forests are managed by the United States Forest Service
, and the Fremont–Winema National Forest headquarters are located in Lakeview.
for animals, fish, insects and mankind. Management to ensure that all native species maintain healthy populations is a focus of the USDA-Forest Service. There are numerous wildflowers and rare species of plants found in the forest.
in the region's stream
s and lake
s, and a few lakes also support large-mouth bass, a warm-water fish. Canadian geese, mallards and whistling swans are frequently seen waterfowl
. Black bear
, mountain lion and bobcat
are also present in smaller populations.
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
s, Fremont National Forest
Fremont National Forest
The Fremont National Forest is a United States National Forest named after John C. Frémont, who explored the area for the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1843. It is located in western Lake and eastern Klamath counties in Oregon, and has a land area of . There are local ranger district...
and Winema National Forest
Winema National Forest
The Winema National Forest is a United States National Forest in Klamath County on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range in south-central Oregon, and covers . The forest borders Crater Lake National Park near the crest of the Cascades and stretches eastward into the Klamath Basin...
, that were administratively combined in 2002. They cover territory in southern 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...
from the crest of the Cascades
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...
on the west, past the city of Lakeview
Lakeview, Oregon
Lakeview is a city in Lake County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,294 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lake County. Although it is an incorporated city, the municipal government refers to the community as "The Town of Lakeview", and bills itself as "Tallest Town in Oregon"...
to the east. The northern end of the forests is bounded by U.S. Route 97
U.S. Route 97 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, U.S. Route 97 is a major north–south United States highway which runs through the state of Oregon . In Oregon, it runs from the Oregon-California border, south of Klamath Falls, to the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River, between Biggs Junction, Oregon and...
on the west, and Oregon Route 31 on the east. To the south, the state border with California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
forms the boundary of the forests. Klamath Falls
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls is a city in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. Originally called Linkville when George Nurse founded the town in 1867, after the Link River on whose falls this city sat, although no falls currently exist; the name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1892...
is the only city of significant size in the vicinity. The forests are managed by the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
, and the Fremont–Winema National Forest headquarters are located in Lakeview.
Flora
There are about 925 species of documented vascular plants in the Fremont National Forest. The vascular plants provide food and habitatHabitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
for animals, fish, insects and mankind. Management to ensure that all native species maintain healthy populations is a focus of the USDA-Forest Service. There are numerous wildflowers and rare species of plants found in the forest.
Fauna
Game animals include Rocky Mountain elk, pronghorn antelope and mule deer. There are several types of troutTrout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
in the region's stream
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
s and lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
s, and a few lakes also support large-mouth bass, a warm-water fish. Canadian geese, mallards and whistling swans are frequently seen waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
. Black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, mountain lion and bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
are also present in smaller populations.
Threatened and endangered species
The following threatened and endangered species are found in the Fremont-Wimema National Forest region:- Peregrine falconPeregrine FalconThe Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
- Bull TroutBull troutThe bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, is a char of the family Salmonidae native to northwestern North America. Historically, S. confluentus has been known as the "Dolly Varden" , but was re-classified as a separate species in 1980. Bull trout are listed as a threatened species under the U.S....