Winchuck River

The Winchuck River (Tolowa: duu-sr-xuu-shi taa-ghin-li~'[6]) is a short coastal stream that runs through the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest to the Pacific Ocean in the U.S. states of Oregon and California. Flowing generally west from its origin near Elk Mountain, the river enters the sea at Crissey Field State Recreation Site,[7] about 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) north of the Oregon–California border and about 5 miles (8 km) south of Brookings.[8]

Winchuck River
The Winchuck River
Location of the mouth of the Winchuck River in Oregon
EtymologyUncertain. Possibly the Chinook Jargon term for windy water. Possibly the local native name for woman.[1]
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyCurry County, Oregon
and Del Norte County, California
Physical characteristics
Sourceconfluence of Bear and Salmon creeks
 • locationCurry County, Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon
 • coordinates42°01′09″N 124°06′20″W[2]
 • elevation164 ft (50 m)[3]
MouthPacific Ocean
 • location
Crissey Field State Recreation Site, Curry County, Oregon
 • coordinates
42°00′18″N 124°12′55″W[2]
 • elevation
7 ft (2.1 m)[2]
Length10 mi (16 km)[4]
Basin size71.3 sq mi (185 km2)[5]
Discharge 
 • average494 cu ft/s (14.0 m3/s)[4]

Formed by the confluence of Fourth of July Creek and Bear Creek in southern Curry County, the river flows generally west. Just below the source, Salmon Creek enters from the left, then Elk Creek and Deer Creek enter from the right. Further downstream, the Winchuck receives Moser Creek and the South Fork Winchuck River, both from the left. The river then leaves Oregon, flowing in Del Norte County, California, for a short distance before re-entering Oregon. The Winchuck passes under U.S. Route 101 in Oregon just before reaching the ocean. Winchuck River Road runs along or near the north side of the river for much of its course.[9]

The main stem and tributaries support chinook and coho salmon, steelhead, and sea-run coastal cutthroat trout.[10] Access for fishing is limited, especially along the lower stretches of the river. Fishing from boats is not allowed, but Winchuck River Road provides public access in places.[11]

Flora in the watershed's forests include Douglas-fir, bigleaf maple, and madrone, typical of the Southern Oregon Coast Range, the coastal Siskiyou Mountains, and the Redwoods Zone.[12] Most of Oregon's remaining coast redwood forest lies within the Winchuck drainage.[10] Sensitive fauna in the watershed include the spotted owl and marbled murrelet.[5]

References
  1. McArthur, pp. 1049–50
  2. "Winchuck River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  3. Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  4. Palmer, Tim (2014). Field Guide to Oregon Rivers. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press. pp. 122–23. ISBN 978-0-87071-627-0.
  5. "Winchuck River". United States Forest Service. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  6. "Siletz Talking Dictionary". Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages. 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  7. Oregon Atlas and Gazetteer (Map) (1991 ed.). DeLorme Mapping. § 17. ISBN 978-0-89933-347-2.
  8. McGuire, p. 1
  9. United States Geological Survey. "United States Geological Survey Topographic Map". TopoQuest. Retrieved April 12, 2011. Relevant map quadrangles from mouth to source are Mount Emily, Smith River, and Fourth of July Creek.
  10. "East Fork Winchuck River, Curry County". Western Rivers Conservancy. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  11. Sheehan, p. 114
  12. McGuire, pp. 13–20

Works cited
  • McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN 978-0875952772.
  • McGuire, Mike (June 2001). "Winchuck River Watershed Assessment" (PDF). Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  • Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (Tenth ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. ISBN 978-0-916473-15-0. OCLC 60631276.
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