Miller River
Encyclopedia
The Miller River is a river
in King County
, Washington. Named for 1890s prospector John Miller, it is a tributary of the Skykomish River
, which it joins near the community of Miller River (which was, prior to World War I, known as Berlin). The Miller River is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long from the confluence of its main tributaries, the East Fork and West Fork. Miller River Campground is located just downriver from the confluence.
. It flows northeast from there, converging with the East Fork near the West Fork Campground. Its only officially named tributaries are Cleopatra and Coney Creeks. Cleopatra Creek drains a basin just north of the West Fork’s source while Coney Creek drains high-elevation Coney Lake. Just above its mouth, the West Fork drops over two small waterfalls, Borderline Falls then Immigration Falls.
West Fork Tributaries
. Upon exiting the lake, the river drops over a headwall
as it makes its way toward the bottom of Camp Robber Valley. Florence Falls occurs near the bottom of the headwall. Shortly after the falls, the river is joined by Camp Robber Creek, from the south, then Smith Creek from the west. Flowing north, the East Fork is joined by several unnamed tributaries. Great Falls Creek, which drains tiny Tumwater Lake, joins from the west.
East Fork Tributaries
Mainstream Tributaries
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in King County
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
, Washington. Named for 1890s prospector John Miller, it is a tributary of the Skykomish River
Skykomish River
The Skykomish River is a Washington river which drains the west side of the Cascade Mountains in the southeast section of Snohomish County and the northeast corner of King County. The river starts with the confluence of the North Fork Skykomish River and South Fork Skykomish River approximately one...
, which it joins near the community of Miller River (which was, prior to World War I, known as Berlin). The Miller River is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long from the confluence of its main tributaries, the East Fork and West Fork. Miller River Campground is located just downriver from the confluence.
West Fork
The West Fork Miller River begins at the ridge dividing it and the Taylor RiverTaylor River (Washington)
The Taylor River is a river in King County in Washington.- Course :The river starts at the outlet of Bear Lake. The river drops over a small waterfall before entering Deer Lake...
. It flows northeast from there, converging with the East Fork near the West Fork Campground. Its only officially named tributaries are Cleopatra and Coney Creeks. Cleopatra Creek drains a basin just north of the West Fork’s source while Coney Creek drains high-elevation Coney Lake. Just above its mouth, the West Fork drops over two small waterfalls, Borderline Falls then Immigration Falls.
West Fork Tributaries
- Gouging Lake Outlet Stream
- Cleopatra Creek
- Coney Creek
- Francis Lake Outlet Stream
East Fork
The 7 miles (11.3 km) long East Fork Miller River begins at the outlet of Lake DorothyLake Dorothy
Lake Dorothy is a lake in King County, Washington. It is one of the largest lakes in the area and is the source of the East Fork Miller River. Florence Falls is located a short distance downstream from the outlet.- Access :...
. Upon exiting the lake, the river drops over a headwall
Headwall
In physical geography and geology the headwall of a glacial cirque is its highest cliff.In civil engineering, a headwall is a small retaining wall placed at the outlet of a stormwater pipe or culvert....
as it makes its way toward the bottom of Camp Robber Valley. Florence Falls occurs near the bottom of the headwall. Shortly after the falls, the river is joined by Camp Robber Creek, from the south, then Smith Creek from the west. Flowing north, the East Fork is joined by several unnamed tributaries. Great Falls Creek, which drains tiny Tumwater Lake, joins from the west.
East Fork Tributaries
- Camp Robber Creek
- Smith Creek
- Hinter Lake Outlet Stream
- Purvis Lake Outlet Stream
- Great Falls Creek
Mainstream
From its source at the confluence of the East and West Forks, the Miller River flows north to its confluence with the Skykomish River near the community of Miller River. The only major tributary is Happy Thought Creek, which drains small Cleveland Lake.Mainstream Tributaries
- Happy Thought Creek