John Day River (northwestern Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Day River |
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John Day River (northwestern Oregon)
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 Location of the mouth of the John Day River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Clatsop |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Northern Oregon Coast Range Clatsop State Forest 467 ft (142 m) 46°08′20″N 123°42′17″W / 46.13889°N 123.70472°W |
| River mouth | Columbia River Cathlamet Bay 3 ft (0.91 m) 46°10′53″N 123°44′26″W / 46.18139°N 123.74056°W |
The John Day River is a small river in northwestern Oregon, United States. It's about 6 miles (10 kilometers) long. This river flows into the mighty Columbia River.
The John Day River starts in the Northern Oregon Coast Range. This area is part of Clatsop County. From its source, the river flows generally north.
Contents
Where Does the River Flow?
The John Day River joins the Columbia River at a spot called John Day Point. This point is located east of Tongue Point. It's also about 4 miles (7 kilometers) east of Astoria.
The river flows under U.S. Route 30. It passes near a small place also named John Day. Don't confuse this with the larger city of John Day in eastern Oregon. The river's mouth is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) upstream from where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.
Who Was John Day?
The river is named after a person named John Day. He was a hunter and fur trapper. John Day was part of an expedition led by William Price Hunt. This journey happened in 1811–1812. It was for a famous businessman named John Jacob Astor.
Many other places in Oregon are also named after John Day. These include another John Day River in eastern Oregon. There's also the John Day Dam and the city of John Day. Even the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument carries his name.
Historic Names of the River
John Day Point is a cape at the river's mouth. It sticks out into Cathlamet Bay. This point was named after the river itself. A former railway station nearby also shared the name.
The famous explorers Lewis and Clark camped near here in 1805. They called the river Kekemarke. This was their way of saying a Native American name for the river. Lewis and Clark wrote about the river in their journals.
Later, Charles Wilkes called the river Swan Creek. He was part of the U.S. Exploring Expedition. He even drew it on his map with that name.
What is the River Like?
A railroad swing bridge crosses the mouth of the river. This bridge used to carry the Lewis and Clark Explorer Train. That train is no longer running. The bridge allows boats to pass underneath.
Tidal currents affect the river along most of its length. This means the water level changes with the ocean tides. You can see houseboats along some parts of the river's shore. These are homes that float on the water.
Fun Things to Do on the John Day River
The John Day River is a great place for outdoor activities. You can enjoy boating, kayaking, and fishing here.
John Day County Park
John Day County Park is a large park, covering 54 acres. It's the only public park along the John Day River. The park has a boat launch. You can get to it from Oregon Highway 30.
The boat launch lets you put your boat directly into the John Day River. From there, you can easily reach the Columbia River. You can also travel upstream on the John Day River for about 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers).
The John Day River Marsh
An unusual tidal marsh is found along the John Day River. A marsh is a type of wetland. This marsh covers a little over 24 acres. It is owned by the North Coast Land Conservancy.
The John Day River Marsh is part of a bigger project. This project is called the Columbia Quiet Waters initiative. It aims to protect the lower Columbia River swamp areas. The plan includes protecting Sitka spruce wetlands. These types of wetlands are very rare around the world.
