Collawash River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collawash River |
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A deck arch bridge over the river, pictured in 1957
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 Location of the mouth of the Collawash River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Clackamas |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Elk Lake Creek and East Fork Collawash River Cascade Range, Mount Hood National Forest, Clackamas County, Oregon 2,312 ft (705 m) 44°53′42″N 122°00′16″W / 44.89500°N 122.00444°W |
| River mouth | Clackamas River Mount Hood National Forest, Clackamas County, Oregon 1,470 ft (450 m) 45°01′52″N 122°03′41″W / 45.03111°N 122.06139°W |
| Length | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 150 sq mi (390 km2) |
| Type: | Scenic, Recreational |
| Designated: | March 30, 2009 |
The Collawash River is a river in the U.S. state of Oregon. It flows for about 12 miles (19 km). This river is a branch, or tributary, of the larger Clackamas River.
The Collawash River starts where two smaller streams meet. These are Elk Lake Creek and the East Fork Collawash River. It begins in the Cascade Range mountains. The river then flows through the Mount Hood National Forest. It generally moves from south to north.
The Collawash River is very important to the upper Clackamas River. It provides about one-third of the water during times when the water level is low. A large part of the area drained by the Collawash River, called its watershed, is protected. About 35 percent of this 150 square mile (388 km²) area is a protected wilderness.
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Where Does the Collawash River Flow?
The Collawash River starts high up in the mountains. It loses about 840 feet (256 meters) in height as it flows downhill. This happens over its 12-mile (19 km) journey.
As it flows, many smaller streams join the Collawash River. These are called tributaries. Some of these streams include Dunno Creek and Jazz Creek. Russ Creek and Blitzen Creek also join the river.
Further along, Happy Creek, Dickey Creek, and Buckeye Creek add their waters. Peat Creek and Farm Creek also flow into the Collawash. Paste Creek joins before the Hot Springs Fork.
Near the end of its journey, Slide, Sluice, and Cap creeks flow into the river. The river passes Raab Campground. Then Jack Davis Creek joins from the left. Finally, the Collawash River meets the Clackamas River. This meeting point is near the Two Rivers Picnic Area.
Fun Activities on the River
The Collawash River is a great place for outdoor activities.
Fishing for Trout
The river is known for its good fish habitat. You can enjoy catch-and-release fishing for trout. This means you catch the fish and then carefully let them go back into the water. This helps protect the fish population. Fishing for salmon and steelhead is not allowed here.
Whitewater Adventures
If you like adventure, the Collawash River is popular for whitewater running. This means paddling down the river in a kayak or raft. The river has different sections, from easy to very challenging.
The difficulty is rated on a scale from Class II (easy) to Class V (very difficult). The best time to go is when the water flow is between 500 and 1000 cubic feet per second. This is about 14 to 28 cubic meters per second.
