Misplaced Pages

#448551

16-664: French Pete Creek is a tributary of the South Fork McKenzie River in Lane County , in the U.S. state of Oregon . It flows generally west through the Three Sisters Wilderness to the south end of Cougar Reservoir , about 11 miles (18 km) from the larger river's confluence with the McKenzie River . The creek has two named tributaries—Olallie Creek and, further downstream, Pat Creek—both of which enter from

32-505: A day-use pass that can be paid for on-site. Whitewater enthusiasts sometimes run all or part of an 8.5-mile (13.7 km) stretch of the river from above French Pete Campground to Cougar Reservoir. Rapids vary from class 3 to 5 on the International Scale of River Difficulty . East Fork South Fork McKenzie River The East Fork South Fork McKenzie River is a tributary of the South Fork McKenzie River in Lane County in

48-529: Is along a tributary near the reservoir. Whitewater enthusiasts sometimes run a difficult stretch of the upper river. The South Fork McKenzie River begins in the Mink Lake Basin of the Cascade Range at an elevation of about 4,600 feet (1,400 m) above sea level. Lakes near the river's headwaters include Mink, Porky, Mud, Plumb, Goose, and Corner, as well as many smaller water bodies. Flowing west through

64-546: Is generally open from early April to mid-September. In the 1970s, environmentalists and timber interests clashed over a "substantial stand of young timber with a high potential value at maturity" along the creek, according to Oregon Geographic Names . In 1978, most of the French Pete Creek valley was added to the Three Sisters Wilderness. South Fork McKenzie River About 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from

80-470: Is popular on the upper river and its tributaries. Fish on the upper river are numerous but relatively small, averaging 8 to 11 inches (20 to 28 cm). Terwilliger Hot Springs , near the confluence of Rider Creek and the South Fork, offers six clothing-optional soaking pools in sight of a waterfall and "a spectacular rock formation". The popular hot springs, with a parking lot off Forest Road 19, requires

96-529: The U.S. state of Oregon . It begins in and passes through part of the Willamette National Forest of the Cascade Range . Flowing generally northwest along the base of Sawtooth Ridge, it empties into Cougar Reservoir on the South Fork McKenzie River , about 5 miles (8 km) upstream of that stream's mouth on the McKenzie River . The East Fork, which has no named tributaries, runs along

112-456: The gauge , the river enters Cougar Reservoir, receiving Ridge Creek from the left and passing Cougar Crossing Campground, which is on the right. Here the river passes under Forest Road 19, which continues to parallel the South Fork but along its left bank. Shortly thereafter, Smith Creek enters from the right near Sunnyside Campground, and then Slide Creek enters from the right near Slide Creek Campground and its boat ramp. Rider Creek enters from

128-452: The right . The stream derives its name from an early-day shepherd who grazed his flock along the valley. The shepherd's last name is unknown. French Pete Trail , which crosses the stream twice, runs along the creek's valley. The trail begins near French Creek Campground, at the confluence of the creek with the river. Campground amenities include 17 tent, car, and trailer sites, picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water. The campground

144-755: The Delta Campground, which is on its right, and entering the McKenzie River main stem about 59.5 miles (95.8 km) from its confluence with the Willamette River. Fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, and boating are among the forms of recreation pursued in the South Fork McKenzie River watershed. Cougar Reservoir is used for motorized boating, fishing, swimming, and waterskiing . The United States Forest Service maintains three campgrounds—Cougar Crossing, Slide Creek, and Sunnyside—near

160-445: The South Fork mouth , Cougar Dam impounds water from the river to create Cougar Reservoir . It is a multipurpose United States Army Corps of Engineers project built in 1963 to generate hydroelectricity and limit flooding. The watershed offers many opportunities for recreation, including fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping. Motorized boating is allowed on Cougar Reservoir, which is used for waterskiing . A popular hot springs

176-467: The South Fork passes under Forest Road  19 (Aufderheide Drive), which then runs parallel to the river along its right bank, and Roaring River enters from the left. Over the next stretch, Fir and Cascade creeks enter from the right. The Homestead Campground is on the right at about RM 18 (RK 29), and here the river turns northwest and then north. Augusta Creek enters from the left about 2 miles (3 km) later at Dutch Oven Campground. Over

SECTION 10

#1732884255449

192-405: The Three Sisters Wilderness of the Willamette National Forest , the river receives Elk Creek from the left at river mile (RM) 25 or river kilometer (RK) 40. About 2 miles (3 km) further downstream, the river leaves the wilderness. The river passes Frissel Crossing Campground, which is on the left , about 22 miles (35 km) from the mouth. Slightly downstream of the campground,

208-483: The left at RM 8 (RK 13), and Boone Creek enters from the left a fraction of a mile later. In the next stretch of the reservoir, Annie and Basalt creeks enter from the left and Walker Creek from the right before the river receives the East Fork South Fork McKenzie River from the right about 5 miles (8 km) from the South Fork mouth. A fraction of a mile below this, Rush Creek enters from

224-438: The left, and the river reaches Cougar Dam and power plant. Another stream gauge is beyond the dam, at about RM 4 (RK 6). Along this stretch, a county road linking the dam to Oregon Route 126 is on the river's right bank, while Forest Road 19 is on the left. In its last stretch, the river passes again under Forest Road 19, which merges with the dam road. The South Fork turns west and meanders another mile or so, passing

240-462: The next stretch, Starr and Blue creeks enter from the left and Trail and Rebel creeks from the right. Hardy and Balm creeks enter from the left about 12 miles (19 km) from the mouth. Below this, the river reaches French Pete Campground, which is on the right, and receives Horn and Penny creeks from the left before arriving at a United States Geological Survey stream gauge near the mouth of Tipsoo Creek, at about RM 10 (RK 16). Just beyond

256-469: The reservoir, with opportunities for hiking and picnicking as well as camping. Other campgrounds in the general vicinity of the reservoir include French Pete and Delta. Cougar Reservoir supports populations of stocked rainbow trout and stocked landlocked Chinook salmon as well as naturally reproducing cutthroat trout . The lake also supports bull trout , but it is not legal to catch and keep them. Catch-and-release fishing for cutthroat and bull trout

#448551