Little Nestucca River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Nestucca River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Little Nestucca River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Polk and Tillamook |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Central Oregon Coast Range near H. B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor, Polk County, Oregon 839 ft (256 m) 45°02′19″N 123°43′05″W / 45.03861°N 123.71806°W |
| River mouth | Nestucca Bay near Pacific City, Tillamook County, Oregon 0 ft (0 m) 45°10′05″N 123°56′40″W / 45.16806°N 123.94444°W |
| Length | 20 mi (32 km) |
The Little Nestucca River is a river about 20 miles (32 km) long. It flows along the Pacific coast in northwest Oregon, United States. This river helps drain water from the Central Oregon Coast Range mountains. These mountains are located west of the Willamette Valley.
The river starts in the Van Duzer State Forest in northwestern Polk County. This area is in the mountains west of Salem. The Little Nestucca River flows mostly northwest. It passes through the Siuslaw National Forest. Finally, it reaches Nestucca Bay near Pacific City on the Pacific coast.
The Little Nestucca River flows under U.S. Route 101. This crossing is about three miles south of Pacific City. County Road 130 runs alongside much of the river. The Little Nestucca River enters Nestucca Bay from the south end. The Nestucca River enters the same bay from the north end. The two rivers flow roughly parallel. At their closest, they are about two and a half miles apart.
Fishing in the Little Nestucca River
The Little Nestucca River is a great place for fishing. You can find steelhead here. Some hatchery steelhead are present during the winter. Wild steelhead can be caught and released throughout the winter. Their numbers are highest in March.
It can be tricky to access some parts of the river. Limited public access is available along Little Nestucca River Road. This road runs between Highway 22 and Highway 101. Most of the best fishing spots are on private land. Only the river's starting points are on public land. These areas are managed by the Forest Service.
The river also offers chances for boat fishing. There is a boat ramp at the Highway 101 bridge. Many people fish for coho salmon and steelhead in the fall and winter. You can also find coastal cutthroat trout in the river.
Upton Falls: A River Landmark
Upton Falls is a waterfall on the Little Nestucca River. In the past, this waterfall stopped fish from swimming further upstream. Now, the falls have been changed. A fish ladder helps fish swim past the waterfall. There is also a small embankment dam that sends water to the ladder.
You can find a nice swimming hole downstream from Upton Falls. The waterfall was likely similar to Stella Falls before it was changed. Stella Falls is located about a mile upstream.
The falls were named after James B. Upton. He was a homesteader who owned a farm nearby. Upton Falls is right next to the Little Nestucca Highway. It is just over three miles inland from Highway 101. Drivers heading west can easily see the falls. There is parking for only a few cars. Paths lead down to the river from the road. However, these paths are steep and can be unstable.
The waterfall is about 5 feet (1.5 m) wide and 20 feet (6.1 m) high. 45°08′09″N 123°53′45″W / 45.13578°N 123.89570°W
Stella Falls: A Natural Beauty
Stella Falls is also known as Estella Falls. It is the upper of two small waterfalls on the lower part of the Little Nestucca River. This waterfall is a cascading chute. The water tumbles into a deep, trough-like gorge. A fish ladder helps fish get around the falls.
Unlike Upton Falls, Stella Falls is still in its natural state. The area just downstream from Stella Falls has a popular swimming hole. It is also a good spot for fishing.
Stella Falls is next to the Little Nestucca Highway. It is just under four miles inland from Highway 101. A large pool of water forms before the gorge. There is plenty of parking along the road. Paths for fishing lead to rocks next to the river. From these rocks, you can see upstream and downstream.
The waterfall is about 10 feet (3.0 m) wide and 10 feet high. 45°07′35″N 123°53′14″W / 45.12625°N 123.88719°W
