Wenaha River

Wenaha River
Name origin: Perhaps from a Cayuse language placename[1]
Country United States
State Oregon
County Wallowa
Source confluence of the river's north and south forks
 - location Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness, Blue Mountains
 - elevation 2,807 ft (856 m) [2]
 - coordinates 45°57′03″N 117°47′39″W / 45.95083°N 117.79417°W [3]
Mouth Grande Ronde River
 - location Troy
 - elevation 1,601 ft (488 m) [3]
 - coordinates 45°56′44″N 117°27′07″W / 45.94556°N 117.45194°WCoordinates: 45°56′44″N 117°27′07″W / 45.94556°N 117.45194°W [3]
Length 21.6 mi (34.8 km) [4]
Basin 296 sq mi (767 km2) [5]
Discharge
 - average 390 cu ft/s (11 m3/s) [6]
Location of the mouth of the Wenaha River in Oregon

The Wenaha River is a tributary of the Grande Ronde River, about 22-mile (35 km) long,[4] in the U.S. state of Oregon. The river begins at the confluence of its north and south forks in the Blue Mountains and flows east through the Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness to meet the larger river at the small settlement of Troy.[7] A designated Wild and Scenic River for its entire length,[4] the stream flows wholly within Wallowa County.[3]

Course

From its origin at the confluence of its north and south forks, the Wenaha River flows generally east through the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. It begins at an elevation of about 2,800 feet (850 m) in the Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness within Umatilla National Forest.[7]

In the wilderness, tributaries enter the river in the following order headed downstream: Beaver Creek, Slick Ear Creek, and Rock Creek, all from the left; Big Hole Canyon from the right; Butte Creek, left; Swamp Creek, right; Weller Creek, left; Cross Canyon, right; Fairview Creek, left; Burnt Canyon, right; Crooked Creek, left. Below Crooked Creek, the river leaves the wilderness, turns southeast and exits the national forest. Turning east again, the Wenaha River empties into the Grande Ronde River at Troy, about 45 miles (72 km) from the larger river's confluence with the Snake River.[7]

Recreation

The Wenaha River Trail, about 31 miles (50 km) long, parallels the river and its south fork between Troy and Timothy Springs, near the Union County border. Weather permitting, the trail is open for hiking and backpacking. The trail, rated "more difficult" by the United States Forest Service, varies in elevation from 1,600 feet (490 m) at Troy to 4,700 feet (1,400 m) at Timothy Springs.[8]

Fishing along the secluded river is good.[8] Wild rainbow trout ranging in size from 6 to 18 inches (15 to 46 cm) are abundant.[9] Modest numbers of steelhead (seagoing rainbow trout) swim upriver from the Grande Ronde, though fishing for them is limited. Bull trout, which also frequent the river, are protected, subject to catch-and-release regulations.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bright, William (2004). Native American Placenames of the United States. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 561. ISBN 0-8061-3576-X.
  2. ↑ Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Wenaha River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Wenaha River, Oregon". National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Wenaha River Spring Chinook Population" (PDF). Northwest Fisheries Science Center. p. 2. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  6. ↑ Palmer, Tim (2014). Field Guide to Oregon Rivers. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. p. 291. ISBN 978-0-87071-627-0.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 United States Geological Survey (USGS). "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map". TopoQuest. Retrieved May 3, 2012. The map quadrangles include river mile (RM) markers along the Grande Ronde.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Wenaha River Trail 3137". United States Forest Service. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 John Shewey (2007). Complete Angler's Guide to Oregon: A Wilderness Adventures Press Angler's Guidebook. Belgrade, Montana: Wilderness Adventures Press. pp. 313–14. ISBN 978-1-932098-31-0.