Metolius River
Metolius River | |
---|---|
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Metolius Springs |
• coordinates | 44°25′39″N 121°38′07″W / 44.427617°N 121.635330°W[1] |
• elevation | 3,000 ft (910 m) |
Mouth | |
• location | Lake Billy Chinook |
• coordinates | 44°35′51″N 121°17′13″W / 44.597619°N 121.286991°W |
• elevation | 1,945 ft (593 m) |
Length | 29 mi (47 km) |
Basin size | 315 sq mi (820 km2) |
Discharge | |
• average | 1,497 cu ft/s (42.4 m3/s)[2] |
Type | Scenic, Recreational |
Designated | October 28, 1988 |
The Metolius River (pronounced muh TOLL ee us) is a tributary of the
The river's drainage basin is 315 square miles (820 km2) in area and, according to at least one estimate, contains 110 miles (180 km) of perennial streams, 324 miles (521 km) of intermittent streams, 42 lakes, and 121 ponds.[3]
Headwaters
The
As a consequence, the water level in the Metolius River is relatively constant. The rate of flow at the headwaters is approximately 190 cubic metres per minute (6,700 cu ft/min) or 50,000 gallons per minute), although it grows by an additional 2,300 cubic metres per minute (81,000 cu ft/min) or 600,000 gallons per minute) by the time the river reaches Lake Billy Chinook. Similarly, the water temperature is also stable; at the river source, the water temperature is a consistent 48 °F (8.9 °C).[5]
General
The Metolius River flows 28.6 miles (46.0 km) from Metolius Springs through the
The Metolius River was officially designated a
Many of the summer homes along the Metolius River are constructed on United States Forest Service land, under provisions of a 1915 act of Congress, and are generally required to be set back from the river at least 50 feet (15 m), allowing public access to the river.[citation needed]
In 2009, the Oregon legislature passed the Metolius Protection Act, designating 448 acres of the river basin as an "Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC)", preventing large-scale development on the land and protecting its wildlife.[8][9]
Wildlife
The Metolius River supports a broad cross-section of the wildlife present in the
Recreation
Sport fishing for rainbow trout and bull trout is fly-fishing only on the upper Metolius—and catch-and-release, with barbless hooks. A number of small resorts and shops cater to fishermen and other visitors, principally in the community of Camp Sherman.[6][12]
Hiking and horseback riding are popular activities in the area, particularly on the upper, southern portion of the river, with trails extending up and down the river and into the forests on both sides. There are also a number of developed campgrounds on the banks of the river. Fishing, rafting, hunting and cross-country skiing are all popular seasonal activities.[citation needed]
The Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery is about 10.6 miles (17.1 km) north of the headwaters. This hatchery raises rainbow trout, kokanee, and salmon. The hatchery is open to visitors, with various species of trout and other fish on display in ponds.[13]
Coordinates
Coordinates from
seq num | location | usgs map |
---|---|---|
2 | 44°35′30″N 121°22′34″W / 44.591784°N 121.376161°W | Fly Creek |
3 | 44°37′29″N 121°28′49″W / 44.624839°N 121.480332°W | Metolius Bench |
4 | 44°38′07″N 121°30′04″W / 44.635394°N 121.501166°W | Shitike Butte |
5 | 44°37′27″N 121°36′00″W / 44.624283°N 121.600058°W | Prairie Farm Spring |
6 | 44°32′24″N 121°37′36″W / 44.540117°N 121.626723°W | Candle Creek |
See also
- List of Oregon rivers
- List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers
- The National Forest Foundation's Conservation Plan for the Metolius River
References
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Metolius River
- ISBN 978-0-87071-627-0.
- ^ Deschutes Subbasin Plan, Northwest Power and Conservation Council
- ^ "The Ore Bin, Volume 34, No. 3, March 1972, p. 51" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-04-21.
- ^ "The Ore Bin, Volume 34, No. 3, March 1972, p. 43" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-04-21.
- ^ a b "Metolius River, Oregon", Public Land Information Center, Public Lands Interpretive Association, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2008.
- ^ “Metolius, Oregon”, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Public Law 90-542 (as amended), 16 United States Code 1271-1287, 8 August 2002.
- Oregon Encyclopedia.)
{{cite encyclopedia}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link - ^ "Governor Signs Metolius Protection Act". 1000 Friends of Oregon. July 15, 2009. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ ODFW Mammals of Oregon
- ^ Birds of the Metolius Basin, Metolius River Association
- ^ "Camp Sherman", Metolius Recreation Association, Online Highway.com, Camp Sherman, Oregon, 24 August 2008.
- ^ Wizard Falls Hatchery, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
External links
- Media related to Metolius River at Wikimedia Commons
- Upper Deschutes Watershed Council