Minam River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minam River |
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Minam River near its confluence with the Wallowa River
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Location of the mouth of the Minam River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Union and Wallowa |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Eagle Cap Wilderness Wallowa–Whitman National Forest, Union County 7,684 ft (2,342 m) 45°10′07″N 117°21′28″W / 45.16861°N 117.35778°W |
| River mouth | Wallowa River Minam, Wallowa County 2,536 ft (773 m) 45°37′17″N 117°43′14″W / 45.62139°N 117.72056°W |
| Length | 51 mi (82 km) |
| Depth |
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| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 239 sq mi (620 km2) |
| Type: | Wild |
| Designated: | October 28, 1988 |
The Minam River is a cool river, about 51 miles (82 km) long, located in northeastern Oregon in the United States. It flows through a wild and rugged area of the Wallowa Mountains. This river is a branch, or tributary, of the Wallowa River. It helps drain a large, natural area that is mostly untouched by people.
Where the Minam River Flows
The Minam River starts high up in the Wallowa Mountains. This area is part of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, which is a protected natural space within the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. The river begins near Blue Lake, about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of a town called La Grande.
As it flows, the Minam River generally heads northwest. It follows the border between Wallowa County and Union County. Finally, it joins the Wallowa River near a small community called Minam. The water that feeds the Minam River also comes from springs that flow out of Minam Lake. This lake is also the source of another river, the Lostine River.
A Wild and Scenic River
A big part of the Minam River, about 39 miles (63 km) of it, is very special. In 1988, this section was made part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This means the river and its surroundings are protected to keep them wild and beautiful. It's a bit like a national park for rivers!
You can mostly reach this part of the river by following special trails made by the United States Forest Service. This helps keep the area natural and peaceful.
Wild Animals and Nature
The Minam River basin is home to many different kinds of animals. Because the area is so wild, you might find animals like wolverines, bighorn sheep, elk, American black bears, and cougars living there. It's a great place for wildlife to thrive.
Most of the Minam River is very clean and natural. Only the last 8 miles (13 km) of the river have been changed by human activities, like logging. The Minam River and the Wenaha River are two of the largest rivers in Oregon that are still almost completely untouched by people.
River Branches
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river. The Minam River has many tributaries that join it along its journey. Here are some of the named creeks that flow into the Minam River, listed from where the Minam starts to where it ends:
- Pop Creek
- Trail Creek
- Lowry Gulch
- Wild Sheep Creek
- Granite Gulch
- Elk Creek
- Last Chance Gulch
- Cap Creek
- Rock Creek
- Lackey Creek
- Pole Creek
- Pot Creek
- North Minam River
- Little Pot Creek
- Jerry Creek
- Threemile Creek
- Garwood Creek
- Whoopee Creek
- Chaparral Creek
- Wallowa Creek
- Horseheaven Creek
- Horse Basin Creek
- Little Minam River
- Faun Creek
- Lobo Creek
- Eagle Creek
- Murphy Creek
- Trout Creek
- Cougar Creek
- Gunderson Creek
- Squaw Creek
