South Fork Alsea River

The South Fork Alsea River is a tributary of the Alsea River in the U.S. state of Oregon. It begins at northeast of Horton on the east side of the Central Oregon Coast Range and flows generally northwest to near Alsea. There it joins the North Fork Alsea River to form the main stem.[4]

South Fork Alsea River
Location of the mouth of South Fork Alsea River in Oregon
EtymologyAlsi, said to be a corruption of Alsea for native people who lived near the mouth of the river[1]
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyLane and Benton
Physical characteristics
SourceCentral Oregon Coast Range
 • locationnortheast of Horton, Lane County
 • coordinates44°14′49″N 123°25′44″W[2]
 • elevation1,721 ft (525 m)[3]
MouthAlsea River
 • location
near Alsea, Benton County
 • coordinates
44°22′34″N 123°36′09″W[2]
 • elevation
282 ft (86 m)[2]

Fishing in Oregon describes the South Fork as "fair-sized" stream with an average width of 40 feet (12 m). Fishing for wild cutthroat trout is "excellent", and the stream also supports a population of steelhead.[5] The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees much of the territory through which the river flows.[5]

Alsea Falls Recreation Area, managed by the BLM, is along the river. Open from May 1 through October 31, it has campsites and day-use sites with tent pads, fire rings, picnic tables, toilets, and drinking water. Hiking trails from the recreation area through the forest lead to several waterfalls. The nearby Fall Creek Trail system for mountain bikes has 6.5 miles (10.5 km) of forested routes for all skill levels.[6]

Tributaries

Listed from source to mouth, the named tributaries are Williams, Coleman, and Fall creeks, which enter from the left; Peak Creek, right; Blackberry and Rock creeks, left; Dubuque Creek, right; Table Creek, left; Cedar and Headrick creeks, right, and Bummer Creek, left.[4]

See also

References
  1. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. pp. 19–20. ISBN 0-87595-277-1.
  2. "South Fork Alsea River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 28, 1980. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  3. Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  4. "United States Topographic Map". Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  5. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness. Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. p. 7. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.
  6. "Alsea Falls Recreation Area". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
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