Little Malheur River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Malheur River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Little Malheur River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Baker, Grant, Malheur, and Harney |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bullrun Rock Monument Rock Wilderness, Wallowa–Whitman National Forest, Baker County, Blue Mountains 7,138 ft (2,176 m) 44°20′02″N 118°19′47″W / 44.33389°N 118.32972°W |
| River mouth | North Fork Malheur River Horse Flat, Harney County 3,678 ft (1,121 m) 44°01′08″N 118°15′32″W / 44.01889°N 118.25889°W |
| Length | 31 mi (50 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 135 sq mi (350 km2) |
The Little Malheur River is a small but important river in eastern Oregon, a state in the United States. It flows for about 31-mile (50 km) (50 kilometers). This river is a tributary, which means it's a smaller river that flows into a larger one. The Little Malheur River joins the North Fork Malheur River.
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Where the Little Malheur River Begins and Ends
The Little Malheur River starts high up in the mountains. Its source is on the side of a place called Bullrun Rock. This area is part of the Monument Rock Wilderness. It's also within the Blue Mountains range. The river begins in Baker County.
From its source, the river generally flows south. It travels through two large national forests. These are the Wallowa–Whitman and Malheur National Forests. These forests are home to many different plants and animals.
The journey of the Little Malheur River ends at a spot called Horse Flat. Here, it flows into the North Fork Malheur River. This meeting point is located north of a town called Juntura. The river's mouth is in Harney County.
How Many Counties Does the River Cross?
Even though the Little Malheur River is not very long, it flows through parts of four different counties. This is quite interesting for a river of its size! It starts in Baker County. Then it passes through Grant County. After that, it enters Malheur County. Finally, it reaches its end in Harney County.
Exploring the Little Malheur River Area
The area around the Little Malheur River is a beautiful natural space. It's a great place for outdoor activities. The United States Forest Service helps to maintain a special path there. This path is called the Little Malheur Trail.
The Little Malheur Trail and the 2002 Fire
The Little Malheur Trail follows the river for about 7 miles (11 km) (11 kilometers). This trail goes through a part of the forest that was affected by a large wildfire in 2002. Wildfires can cause a lot of damage to forests. They burn trees and change the landscape.
However, forests can also recover over time. The trail allows people to see how the forest is growing back. It's a chance to observe nature's resilience. Hikers can enjoy the scenery and learn about forest ecosystems.
