Link River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Link River |
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The Link River, upstream of the Link River Dam
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 Location of the mouth of the Link River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Klamath |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Upper Klamath Lake 4,149 ft (1,265 m) 42°14′19″N 121°48′15″W / 42.23861°N 121.80417°W |
| River mouth | Lake Ewauna Klamath Falls 4,091 ft (1,247 m) 42°13′08″N 121°47′18″W / 42.21889°N 121.78833°W |
| Length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 3,810 sq mi (9,900 km2) |
The Link River is a very short river in the city of Klamath Falls, located in the state of Oregon in the United States. This river acts like a natural connector, linking Upper Klamath Lake to Lake Ewauna. It's an important part of the larger Klamath River system.
Contents
What is the Link River?
The Link River starts at the southern end of Upper Klamath Lake. It flows for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) (about 2.4 kilometers). This short river then reaches the Link River Dam. After the dam, it continues a short distance to the start of Lake Ewauna. The river helps drain a large area of land, known as a basin, which covers about 3,810 square miles (9,900 km2) (about 9,868 square kilometers).
The "Falls" of Klamath Falls
The city of Klamath Falls gets its name from this river. The "falls" are not really tall waterfalls. Instead, they are more like rapids, which are rocky, fast-moving sections of the river. You can see these rapids a short distance below the Link River Dam. However, there isn't always enough water flowing to cover all the rocks.
Part of a Bigger River System
The Link River is a crucial link in a much larger river system. The famous Klamath River actually begins right at the southern end of Lake Ewauna. From there, the Klamath River flows for about 253 miles (407 km) (about 407 kilometers) all the way to the Pacific Ocean. So, the Link River is the very first step in the journey of water from Upper Klamath Lake to the ocean.
A River with a Past
Before settlers arrived in the Klamath Basin, the local Klamath Native Americans knew the Link River by a different name. They called it Yulalona. This name meant "back and forth." It was called this because sometimes strong winds would blow the water upstream. This would push the water back into Upper Klamath Lake. It could even partly drain the riverbed, making the water flow "back and forth."
How Klamath Falls Got Its Name
The city of Klamath Falls was founded in 1867. When it was first established, it had a different name: Linkville. This name was chosen because of the Link River. Later, between 1892 and 1893, the city's name was officially changed to Klamath Falls. This new name honored the "falls" or rapids of the Link River. It also recognized the Klamath people who lived in the area.
