Little Deschutes River
Encyclopedia
The Little Deschutes River is a tributary of the Deschutes River in the central part of the U.S. state
of Oregon
. It is about 92 miles (148.1 km) long, with a drainage basin
of 1020 mi2. It drains a rural area on the east side of the Cascade Range
south of Bend
.
in northwestern Klamath County
, approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Crater Lake
. It flows generally north from the mountains through the Deschutes National Forest
, roughly following U.S. Highway 97 past La Pine
. It joins the Deschutes from the south approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) south of Bend in southern Deschutes County
.
It passes through the small towns of Crescent
and Gilchrist
and joins with the Deschutes at Sunriver
. The stream meanders significantly most of its course, though this is less pronounced above river mile
80 or river kilometer 130, which is near its crossing of Oregon Route 58.
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...
. It is about 92 miles (148.1 km) long, with a drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of 1020 mi2. It drains a rural area on the east side 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...
south of Bend
Bend, Oregon
Bend is a city in and the county seat of Deschutes County, Oregon, United States, and the principal city of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bend is Central Oregon's largest city, and, despite its modest size, is the de facto metropolis of the region, owing to the low population...
.
Course
The Little Deschutes River rises near Mule Peak in the high Cascades in the Mount Thielsen WildernessMount 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...
in northwestern Klamath County
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...
, approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Crater Lake
Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a caldera lake located in the south-central region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. The lake partly fills a nearly deep caldera that was formed around 7,700 years agoby the...
. It flows generally north from the mountains through the Deschutes National Forest
Deschutes National Forest
The Deschutes National Forest is a United States National Forest located in parts of Deschutes, Klamath, Lake, and Jefferson counties in central Oregon. It comprises 1.8 million acres along the east side of the Cascade mountains. In 1908, the Deschutes National Forest was established from parts...
, roughly following U.S. Highway 97 past La Pine
La Pine, Oregon
La Pine is a city in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States, incorporated on December 7, 2006.La Pine is part of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,799 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a census-designated place . La Pine is in an isolated area of Central...
. It joins the Deschutes from the south approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) south of Bend in southern Deschutes County
Deschutes County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Deschutes National Forest * Newberry National Volcanic Monument-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 115,367 people, 45,595 households, and 31,962 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 54,583...
.
It passes through the small towns of Crescent
Crescent, Oregon
Crescent is an unincorporated community in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. Crescent is located along U.S. Route 97 south-southwest of Bend. Crescent has a post office with ZIP code 97733....
and Gilchrist
Gilchrist, Oregon
Gilchrist is an unincorporated community in Klamath County, Oregon, United States on U.S. Route 97 between Bend and Klamath Falls.-History:Gilchrist was the last lumber company town in Oregon. The town was founded in 1938 by the family-owned Gilchrist Timber Company, with Frank and Mary Gilchrist...
and joins with the Deschutes at Sunriver
Sunriver, Oregon
Sunriver, Oregon is a private planned resort community in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. It is part of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The stream meanders significantly most of its course, though this is less pronounced above 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...
80 or river kilometer 130, which is near its crossing of Oregon Route 58.
See also
- List of rivers of Oregon
- List of longest streams of Oregon
- List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers