North Fork Willamette River
Encyclopedia
The North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River as it is officially named but frequently called North Fork of the Willamette River or North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River has its headwaters at Waldo Lake
and flows into the Middle Fork Willamette River
northwest of Oakridge
. In the first three miles (5 km) below Waldo Lake, the river drops 2,400 feet (730 m) in 34 separate waterfalls through diverse natural plant life and old growth forest
.
The river has Oregon's longest covered bridge
crossing it at Westfir
, the Office Bridge
. Portions of the river were designated wild and scenic
in 1988.
}} The portion from Waldo Lake to one mile (1.6 km) upstream from Westfir is designated scenic by the State of Oregon and is known for its native trout by fly fishermen.
The river above Westfir is rated as class 3-4 (5) whitewater. Recommended flow range is 500 to 3000 CFS.
Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake is a lake in the Cascade Mountains of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the second largest natural non-alkali lake in Oregon with more than 10 square miles of water and a maximum depth of . The lake is named after Oregon politician, judge, and conservationist John B....
and flows into the Middle Fork Willamette River
Middle Fork Willamette River
The Middle Fork Willamette River is one of several forks that unite to form the Willamette River in the western part of the U.S. state of Oregon...
northwest of Oakridge
Oakridge, Oregon
Oakridge is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. The population was estimated at 3,205 in 2010. It is located east of Westfir on Oregon Route 58, about east of Eugene, and southeast of Portland...
. In the first three miles (5 km) below Waldo Lake, the river drops 2,400 feet (730 m) in 34 separate waterfalls through diverse natural plant life and old growth forest
Old growth forest
An old-growth forest is a forest that has attained great age , and thereby exhibits unique ecological features. An old growth forest has also usually reached a climax community...
.
The river has Oregon's longest covered bridge
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
crossing it at Westfir
Westfir, Oregon
Westfir is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. The population was 253 at the 2010 census. It is located about south of Eugene and about west of Oakridge in the Willamette National Forest.-History:...
, the Office Bridge
Office Bridge
The Office Bridge is a covered bridge in Westfir, Lane County, Oregon, U.S. crossing the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette River at the south end of the Aufderheide National Scenic Byway and edge of the Willamette National Forest...
. Portions of the river were 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...
in 1988.
}} The portion from Waldo Lake to one mile (1.6 km) upstream from Westfir is designated scenic by the State of Oregon and is known for its native trout by fly fishermen.
The river above Westfir is rated as class 3-4 (5) whitewater. Recommended flow range is 500 to 3000 CFS.
External links
- Reactive map of Middle Fork Willamette watershed (hold mouse just north of Westfir to see lower watershed)