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55-717: The Sol Duc River's main tributaries are its two forks, the North Fork Sol Duc River and the South Fork Sol Duc River. Other notable tributaries include Bear Creek, Beaver Creek, and Lake Creek. Much of the Sol Duc River's watershed is valuable timber land. Most of the forests have been logged at least once. The forests within Olympic National Park are protected. U.S. Route 101 follows the Sol Duc River for many miles through Olympic National Forest and

110-411: A reservation was created near Forks the same year that Washington became a state. That same year the village was burnt down by settler Daniel Pullen. Forks is 12 miles from tribal burning areas that area tribes used to regenerate young ferns. The phrase "prairie upstream" from Quileute language was translated and became the name Forks Prairie. Early settlers to Forks came via the rivers and trails from

165-542: A Grand Fourth of July Parade. The numerous events include a demolition derby and fireworks display. July is also the month for Quileute Days at La Push with its parade, traditional salmon bake, bone games, softball tournament, canoe races, and street fair. In August, the Forks Family Festival combines arts and crafts vendors with children activities. In late September, the Forks Chamber of Commerce partners with

220-428: A female householder with no husband present, 7.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.16. The median age in the city was 31.3 years. 29.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between

275-505: A few Shay engines remaining in Washington. Shay locomotives are unusual in that they have a crank shaft running down the side, powering all wheels. They were designed to be used to transport lumber out of forests. Rayonier #10 (c/n 3348) was built for stock by Lima in 1930. It has three cylinders and three trucks. The Ozette Timber Company bought it 11 years later. In 1945 it was acquired by Rayonier for their lumber operation near Forks. It

330-530: A few trappers living in the area). Ford set up the first dairy herd in the settlement in 1879. In 1884 a post office opened in Nelson's cabin. Since another Washington settlement already was named 'Ford's Prairie' the name 'Forks' was chosen as the name. The name 'Forks' was due to the prairie's location as a fork in the vicinity of three rivers. It was difficult to receive and sell products in Forks in its early days since

385-415: A household in the city was $ 34,280, and the median income for a family was $ 38,844. Males had a median income of $ 35,718 versus $ 23,690 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,686. About 14.6% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over. The city lies on Forks Prairie just east of the confluence of

440-608: A quilt show have been sponsored by the Piece Makers Quilt Club. In March of every year, the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction occurs. This annual fundraising event raises tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships. Since the first scholarship award in 1964, to Robert Henry (now D.D.S.), the committee has awarded over US$ 1m in scholarships to Forks students. In the summer, Forks hosts its traditional "Old Fashioned Fourth of July" celebration with

495-653: A resort spa built in 1912 and refurbished in the 1980s by the National Park Service. Nearby is the Sol Duc Campground, and the Soleduck Ranger Station, after which its valley becomes considerably wider. The Sol Duc River continues northwest, paralleled by the Sol Duc Road leading to the campground. For a short distance the boundary of Olympic National Park runs approximately along the river. Just before

550-562: A single car -sized road opened from Lake Crescent to Forks and the Olympic Loop Highway ( U.S. 101 ) was built through Forks in 1931. The Mora post moved to Forks in the early 1890s which consisted of a general store, hardware store, and a hotel. In the early 1900s, hop growing declined and the Forks Cooperative Creamery was established which operated for 70 years. Timber was cleared by settlers and small-time loggers in

605-768: A total of 13,550 annual operations. Runway 4-22 is Forks Municipal Airport's sole runway. This runway is 2,400 feet (730 m) long, 75 feet (23 m) wide, is equipped with medium intensity runway lighting, and has an asphalt surface. Approaches to both ends of this runway are visual. Forks is served by two public transit agencies. Clallam Transit route 17 provides local service in Forks, while three other routes provide connections to Port Angeles (14), La Push (15), and Clallam Bay and Neah Bay (16). Jefferson Transit runs an "Olympic Connection" bus that provides service on Highway 101 south of Forks as far as Lake Quinault. From there, transfers to Aberdeen are available via Grays Harbor transit. All five of these bus routes serve Forks six days

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660-479: A week, with no service on Sundays. Newspapers serving Forks include the Peninsula Daily News and the weekly Forks Forum , known as "the farthest west newspaper in the contiguous United States." KBDB-FM 96.7, owned by Forks Broadcasting, is the only local commercial station serving the area. KNWU 91.5, a satellite station of Washington State University 's statewide Northwest Public Radio network,

715-476: Is a city in southwest Clallam County , Washington , United States. The population was 3,335 at the 2020 census . It is named after the forks in the nearby Bogachiel , Calawah , and Sol Duc rivers which join to form the Quillayute River . For many years, the city's economy was fueled by the local timber industry. More recently it has drawn tourism related to the novel series Twilight and films of

770-456: Is a prime coho spawning stream. Selected tributaries are listed from the source to the mouth of the Sol Duc River. "East" and "west" notes indicate the direction from which the tributary enters the Sol Duc from a downriver perspective. Multiple bullet points indicate tributaries of tributaries. Forks, Washington Forks , also previously known as the unincorporated town of Quillayute ,

825-459: Is available at local stores. Another source of tourism is Stephenie Meyer 's Twilight series , which she set in the town after searching Google for rainy settings. Tours are available of locations that resemble the places described in Meyer's books. The majority of the films were not shot in Forks, though key scenes were shot in the town and surrounding area. In December 2005, 74 visitors signed

880-545: Is the public radio station serving the area. Forks is a part of the Quillayute Valley School District , with Forks High School being the community's high school. Forks is home to the University of Washington's Olympic Natural Resources Center. In 2003, an executive on the economic development council noted that 'Forks is going through a transition from a logging community to a tourist community'. On

935-573: The Calawah River with the Bogachiel River . U.S. Route 101 passes through the town. The Olympic rainforest surrounds the town. Forks has an oceanic climate ( Cfb ) in a temperate rainforest with very high rainfall, above 100 inches (2,500 mm) per year. Although there is a drying trend in summer, rain is still abundant, just not as wet as the rest of the year. Forks averages 212 days per year with measurable precipitation. According to

990-642: The Hoh Rainforest , the Pacific Beaches, and various wilderness trails. Forks is well known for its winter steelhead fishing with the Quillayute river system – the Hoh, Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Calawah rivers. Other nearby Clallam, Sekiu, and Hoko rivers are also good for king salmon fishing and steelheading as well. Local guides are available for both native and hatchery runs and for float trips. Fishing gear and clothing

1045-695: The Quileute Tribe and the City of Forks to host the Last Chance Fishing Derby at La Push; cash prizes are offered to those wanting to fish for salmon on the Pacific Ocean. The first week in October is when the community celebrates its heritage during Heritage Days. One of the more celebrated events during this week-long festival is the "Old Timers Round Table;" this is a moderated conversation broadcast live via

1100-698: The Twilight phenomenon. Stephenie Meyer Day has been replaced with the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival which is still celebrated annually on the week of September 13. The festival includes a movie marathon, a blood drive, and dance lessons. Calawah River The Calawah River is a 31 mi (50 km) tributary of the Bogachiel River in Clallam County in the U.S. state of Washington , on its Olympic Peninsula . Its two major tributaries are

1155-528: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 3.65 square miles (9.45 km ), all of it land. The city is organized under Washington State law as a non-charter code city. Its structure is that of an elected mayor and a five-member elected city council. Unlike other cities on the Olympic Peninsula, Forks operates under what is called a "strong mayor" form of government with

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1210-539: The 1920s and 1930s, Forks gained many amenities of modern towns at the time as new inhabitants increased its population. Nearly 20 percent of the forest around Forks was flattened as what locals described as a "hurricane roaring overhead" swept through the West End. Five years later a fire occurred on Main Street before another fire hit the town in 1951. Forks was officially incorporated on August 7, 1945, following an election of

1265-506: The Pacific and the Strait of Juan de Fuca due to the lack of overland options. In the 1860s, men from Dungeness unsuccessfully attempted to convince the territorial legislature to create Quillehuyte County out of Clallam and Jefferson counties's western ends. In January 1878, a mile east of Forks, Luther and Esther Ford arrived and laid claim to the 160-acre homestead (at the time there was already

1320-505: The Sol Duc River has considerable seasonal variation. According to George Wuerthner, the river's average winter flow is 104.75 cubic metres per second (3,699 cu ft/s) but its average summer flow is only 12.74 m/s (450 cu ft/s). Wuerthner cites slightly different annual streamflow figures than the Washington Department of Ecology. Also, Wuerthner uses metric units while Ecology uses imperial units. Wuerthner says

1375-544: The Sol Duc River is remarkable in its migratory fish diversity and health. It is the only Quillayute tributary that supports spring chinook salmon. It contains sockeye salmon in June and July and so-called summer coho salmon in August and September. Coastal cutthroat trout also spawn in the Sol Duc River. The Sol Duc River is one of the only rivers of the Olympic Peninsula that supports all five major species of salmon. The upper Sol Duc

1430-731: The Sol Duc Valley in this area, turning south toward Forks . Washington State Route 110 , called La Push Road, continues down the Sol Duc Valley. After making a number of large meanders the Sol Duc River ends at its confluence with the Bogachiel River. The combined rivers are known as the Quillayute River, which flows west several miles and empties into the Pacific Ocean near La Push . The North Fork Sol Duc River originates at 47°56′52″N 123°45′2″W  /  47.94778°N 123.75056°W  / 47.94778; -123.75056 , on

1485-563: The Sol Duc Valley to the vicinity of Forks . The city of Forks is so named due to the close convergence of the Sol Duc, Bogachiel, and Calawah Rivers . There are two common spellings of the river's name, Sol Duc and Soleduck. Before 1992 the accepted spelling was "Soleduck". In 1992 the spelling was officially changed to "Sol Duc" by the State of Washington Board on Geographic Names. The name comes from its Quileute name, /só:liɬt'aqʷ/ , meaning "sparkling waters". The discharge , or streamflow of

1540-656: The South and North Forks Calawah River. The river drains an unpopulated portion of the low foothills of the Olympic Mountains ; its entire watershed consists of virgin forest. The river drains 129 square miles (330 km ) above U.S. Highway 101 , which crosses the river about 6.6 miles (10.6 km) upstream of its mouth. The river's name comes from the Quileute word qàló?wa: , meaning "in between", or "middle river". This Clallam County, Washington state location article

1595-467: The ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 9.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 3,120 people, 1,169 households, and 792 families residing in the city. The population density was 854.8 people per square mile (330.2/km ). There were 1,361 housing units at an average density of 435.6 per square mile (168.4/km ). The racial makeup of

1650-399: The city was 67.7% White , 0.5% African American , 6.6% Native American , 1.2% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 18.1% from other races , and 5.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 25.9% of the population. There were 1,264 households, of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 13.5% had

1705-557: The city was 81.47% White, 0.42% African American, 5.03% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 8.49% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.54% of the population. There were 1,169 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who

Sol Duc River - Misplaced Pages Continue

1760-568: The constituents who would become its first town members. The city gained popularity for being a key setting in Stephenie Meyer 's Twilight series (2005 to 2008) and related film adaptations (2008 to 2012). As of the 2010 census , there were 3,532 people, 1,264 households, and 849 families residing in the city. The population density was 967.7 inhabitants per square mile (373.6/km ). There were 1,374 housing units at an average density of 376.4 per square mile (145.3/km ). The racial makeup of

1815-429: The fire spread west down the Sol Duc Valley at a rate of about 18 miles (29 km) in 6 hours. Over 30,000 acres (120 km) of timber was destroyed. Smoke in the city of Forks was so dense that drivers evacuating in the middle of the day could barely see the road. The fire reached the edge of Forks, destroying 28 houses and a number of other buildings before a light rain began to fall, halting and eventually putting out

1870-524: The fire. The Sol Duc and the other tributaries of the Quillayute River support some of the healthiest stocks of wild winter steelhead in the Pacific Northwest , with as many as 19,000 steelhead returning to spawn in some years. There are also large runs of chinook and coho salmon. The lack of glaciers at stream headwaters keeps the consistency of river fish habitats. Of the Quillayute's tributaries,

1925-451: The forests of the upper Sol Duc Valley in 1907 and in the 1951 Forks Fire. Wildfires in this area tend to spread quickly east to west while remaining narrow north to south. This is due to the wind patterns near Lake Crescent , where east winds accelerate as they are funneled through a narrow valley corridor west of Lake Crescent and into the Sol Duc Valley. The 1951 fire started on September 20 after 108 days without rain. Driven by high winds

1980-522: The guest book at the Forks Visitor Center; after the release of the Twilight series this increased substantially, with 2540 visitors signing in to the center in December 2009. In July of that year, the number was 16,186. The average annual number of tourists visiting the town rose from 10,000 before Twilight to 19,000 in 2008, the year of the first film, and 73,000 by 2010. Forks displays one of

2035-541: The high alpine Soleduck Park, joins the Sol Duc in Soleduck Flats. Rocky Creek flows from Mount Appleton near Appleton Pass, joining the Sol Duc from the north. Seven Lakes Creek flows from Seven Lakes Basin through several lakes including Soleduck Lake, to join the Sol Duc River from the south. The river plunges over Sol Duc Falls, after which Canyon Creek joins from the south. The Sol Duc turns more directly northwest and its valley broadens. It passes Sol Duc Hot Springs ,

2090-493: The late 1800s. Booming logging camps were set up by timber baron Michael Earles in the early 1900s which attracted many workers to the area. In 1916, Merrill & Ring began to log in the Pysht River drainage northwest of the area. President Grover Cleveland placed individual claiming of timber volume off-limits in the Olympic Peninsula around this time which proved monumental for the area's future. The Olympic Forest Reserve

2145-487: The local radio station, featuring longtime residents of the region talking about days long past. The Forks City Council passed a resolution in 2007 celebrating Stephenie Meyer Day in honor of the Twilight young adult novels and film series, set for September 13, the day of the fictional Bella's birthday. In 2015 the event was still driving tourism, with visitor numbers peaking in 2010, then settling to 50% more than before

2200-595: The logging potential of the northwest Olympic Peninsula drew increasing numbers of settlers. Tracts of timberland were purchased throughout the Sol Duc watershed, especially in the relatively accessible Sol Duc Valley. In January 1921 a massive "blowdow" toppled trees over a wide region between the Sol Duc and Hoh River . At least 1,700 trees were toppled in the Sol Duc Valley along the road between Sappho and Lake Crescent. Many settlers who had claimed timberland in order to sell to timber companies found their land worthless. Many simply moved away. Large wildfires burned through

2255-461: The mayor being the chief executive officer overseeing four department heads (clerk/treasurer, public works, police, and legal/planning). Forks Municipal Airport ( FAA LID : S18 ) is located in Clallam County, 1 mile (1.6 km) southwest of Forks. The airport has six based aircraft, including 3 single-engine aircraft and 3 helicopters. The latest available data indicate that the airport had

Sol Duc River - Misplaced Pages Continue

2310-428: The mean annual flow is 37 m/s (1,300 cu ft/s), Ecology says it is 1,270 cu ft/s (36 m/s). The maximum and minimum recorded discharges were, according to Wuerthner, 588.85 m/s (20,795 cu ft/s) and 4.39 m/s (155 cu ft/s). According to Ecology they were 19,200 cu ft/s (540 m/s) and 214 cu ft/s (6.1 m/s). The Sol Duc River originates in

2365-464: The nearest market was in Port Townsend (over 55 miles away). The small supply boat that was provided in the summers was not large enough for cargo either. Due to these problems, hops would regularly rot awaiting transport. It was not until narrow roads were built in the 1880s and 1890s that the situation improved slightly. Eventually canoes and ferries were used to help alleviate these issues. In 1927

2420-420: The north near Sappho , after which the Sol Duc River begins to turn more to the southwest and south. The Soleduck Salmon Hatchery is located along the river near Lake Pleasant and the community of Beaver . Lake Creek, flowing from Lake Pleasant, joins the Sol Duc near Shuwah . For several miles the Sol Duc River flows very close to the Calawah River , a tributary of the Bogachiel River. U.S. Route 101 leaves

2475-524: The northern Olympic Mountains, in Olympic National Park, on the north side of High Divide, which separates the Sol Duc and Hoh River watersheds. Bogachiel Peak is part of the High Divide. The Bogachiel River rises near Bogachiel Peak and flows south of the Sol Duc River. The confluence of the two forms the Quillayute River. The Sol Duc flows generally west and northwest, collecting numerous headwater tributaries. Bridge Creek, which flows from Heart Lake in

2530-517: The river exits the national park it is joined by its two main tributaries. First the North Fork Sol Duc River then the South Fork Sol Duc River. Goodman Creek joins about a mile below the South Fork confluence. After leaving Olympic National Park the Sol Duc River flows west through part of Olympic National Forest . Its valley, here called the Sol Duc Valley, widens to about a mile across. The valley, about 35 miles (56 km) long, continues to widen as

2585-458: The river flows west and southwest. U.S. Route 101 runs through most of the valley. Numerous tributaries flow from the high mountain ridges to the north and south. Kugel Creek joins the river near the Forest Service's Klahowya Campground. A few miles west of the campground the river exits Olympic National Forest. Bear Creek joins from the north near Bear Creek Campground. Beaver Creek joins from

2640-540: The same name, set in Forks. With recent declines in the timber industry, Forks has relied on the nearby Clallam Bay Corrections Center and Olympic Corrections Center as sources of jobs. Forks is a popular destination for sport fishers who fish for salmon and steelhead trout in nearby rivers. It is also supported by visitors to Olympic National Park . Forks was once inhabited by the Quileute Native American tribe, before they ceded their territory. In 1889

2695-522: The south end of town is the Forks Timber Museum . Constructed in 1989 by the Forks High School carpentry class, the 3,200-square-foot (300 m ) building provides a look into the local history of the timber industry, loggers of the past, and their tools of the trade. The museum has exhibits depicting local history dating to the 1870s. Forks serves as the hub for numerous day excursions to

2750-437: The west slope of Mount Appleton . It flows generally northwest, joining the Sol Duc River near Fairholm , about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Mount Muller. It is approximately 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long. The North Fork is entirely within Olympic National Park. The South Fork Sol Duc River originates at 47°57′5″N 123°58′11″W  /  47.95139°N 123.96972°W  / 47.95139; -123.96972 , on

2805-473: The west slope of Pine Mountain. It flows north, joining the Sol Duc River 2.8 miles (4.5 km) southwest of Fairholm and 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Mount Muller. It is approximately 7.7 miles (12.4 km) long. Tom Creek joins less than a mile from the South Fork's confluence with the main stem Sol Duc River. The South Fork is entirely within Olympic National Forest. In the early 20th century

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2860-460: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15. In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 30.4% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males. The median income for

2915-463: Was hauled down the line. Settlers from the Hoh came gradually to Forks in its earlier days. In 1912 the town was laid out where the Whittier homestead stood and as late as the 1920s the town was just a block of buildings and prairie homesteads amongst looming forests. In 1930 the current newspaper, Forks Forum , started publication 40 years after the original Forks newspaper was established. Throughout

2970-725: Was retired near the north end of Forks in Tillicum Park in 1959. The Forks Lions Club erected an attractive shelter over the #10 in 1999. It has also built and maintained most of the structures in the Shay Tillicum Park over the last 40 years. Rainfest, a celebration of the arts sponsored by the West Olympic Council for the Arts, occurs in April. It includes a combination of arts and craft related events. In recent years quilt classes and

3025-629: Was trimmed by 623,000 acres but it contained three-fourths of all timber by volume. The Olympic National Park took up the remaining parts of the reserve (it first became a monument in 1909). Isolation soon creeped into the area due to the 1907 national recession . Sitka spruce in the West End was provided during the First World War due to urgent demand. The U.S. Army's Spruce Production Division used this spruce to build 36 miles of railroad track from Port Angeles to Lake Pleasant in six months. But before it could be completed, World War I ended and no spruce

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