Molalla River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Molalla River |
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Molalla River
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 Location of the Molalla River mouth in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Clackamas |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Table Rock Wilderness Area Cascade Range 3,304 ft (1,007 m) 44°54′12″N 122°16′01″W / 44.90333°N 122.26694°W |
| River mouth | Willamette River Molalla River State Park 69 ft (21 m) 45°17′23″N 122°43′18″W / 45.28972°N 122.72167°W |
| Length | 51 mi (82 km) |
| Discharge (location 2) |
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| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 874 sq mi (2,260 km2) |
The Molalla River is a cool river in northwestern Oregon, United States. It flows for about 51 miles (82 km) and eventually joins the big Willamette River. The Molalla River starts in the Cascade Range mountains, flows through the beautiful Table Rock Wilderness, and then past the city of Molalla. It's special because it's the largest river that flows into the Willamette River without any dams blocking its path!
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Journey of the Molalla River
The Molalla River begins high up in the Cascade Range mountains. This area is part of Clackamas County, near the Table Rock Wilderness. From there, the river flows mostly northwest.
As it leaves the mountains, the Molalla River enters the Willamette Valley. It then flows past the city of Molalla. Just before joining the Willamette River, it meets up with the Pudding River. This meeting point is close to the city of Canby. The Molalla River is known as the biggest "free-flowing" river that feeds into the Willamette. This means it doesn't have any dams along its main path.
Smaller Rivers Joining In
Many smaller streams and creeks flow into the Molalla River along its journey. These are called tributaries. Some of them are Henry, Ogle, Mining Iron, Lake, Scorpion, Hay Barn, Minnette, Dungeon, Avalanche, and Bull creeks. Then comes the Table Rock Fork.
Further downstream, you'll find Horse, Gawley, Cow, Bear, Shotgun, Pine, and Trout creeks. After that is the North Fork Molalla River. Finally, Russell, Cedar, Dickey, Woodcock, Milk, and Gribble creeks join, followed by the Pudding River.
How Much Water Flows?
The amount of water flowing in a river is called its discharge. At the very end of the Molalla River, where it meets the Willamette, about 2,377 cubic feet (67.3 m³) of water flows by every second. That's like a small swimming pool of water passing by each second!
Higher up the river, before the Pudding River joins, the average flow is about 1,142 cubic feet (32.3 m³) per second. This is roughly half the amount of water found at the river's mouth.
Molalla River History
Hundreds of years ago, the land around the Molalla River was home to the Molala people. They used a network of trails along the river. These trails helped them trade with other groups living in the Willamette Valley and eastern Oregon. Even in the 1920s, Native Americans from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation used these trails. They would travel to pick huckleberries near Table Rock.
Early Settlers and Farming
Around 1840, European-American settlers began to arrive. They started farming in the flat areas along the lower Molalla River. More people came after the Donation Land Claim Act was passed. By 1860, about 75 families lived in the Molalla area.
These early settlers mostly grew wheat. They also planted potatoes, turnips, and cabbages. Apple trees were common too. They fished in the river, hunted, and gathered huckleberries. They also raised animals like sheep, cows, pigs, and chickens.
Gold and Timber
In 1860, gold was discovered along the Molalla River. People started placer mining for gold. Many mining claims were made over the next 40 years. By the early 1900s, four mining companies were working in the area. The Ogle Mountain Mining Company was the largest. It operated a mine along Ogle Creek, a Molalla tributary, from 1903 to 1915.
Later in the 20th century, the Molalla River area became important for logging. Timber companies built roads and even a special railroad. They set up camps and built splash dams. They used the river and Milk Creek to transport logs. Between 1941 and 1945, hundreds of logging trucks drove through Molalla every day.
Fun Things to Do at the Molalla River
The Molalla River and its surroundings offer many ways to have fun outdoors!
Parks for Play and Relaxation
Molalla River State Park is a large park covering 567 acres (229 ha). It's a great place for a day trip. This park is where the Molalla, Pudding, and Willamette rivers all meet. It's about 2 miles (3 km) north of Canby.
People visit the park for fishing, boating, and water-skiing. You can also have picnics and watch wildlife. The park has a nature trail that's about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) long. There are restrooms and a boat launch. A special area is set aside for flying radio-controlled aircraft. One amazing feature is a large nesting area for great blue herons. It's one of the biggest in the Willamette Valley.
Feyrer Park is another county park along the river. It's about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Molalla. This park has 20 campsites for tents or RVs. Each site has water and electricity. You can also find picnic tables and horseshoe pits. It's a good spot for fishing too.
Hiking Adventures
Table Rock Wilderness is a rugged forest area of 6,028 acres (2,439 ha). It became a protected wilderness in 1984. It's about 19 miles (31 km) southeast of Molalla, near where the river begins. The Bureau of Land Management looks after it.
This wilderness has four main starting points for trails: Table Rock, Old Bridge, Rooster Rock, and Bull Creek. These connect to a 16-mile (26 km) network of trails. You can go hiking or horse-riding here.
Boating Excitement
If you love whitewater rafting or kayaking, the upper parts of the Molalla River can be exciting. Some sections are for experienced boaters. For example, a 5.1-mile (8.2 km) stretch from Copper Creek to Table Rock Fork is rated Class III (intermediate) to IV (advanced). This means the water can be challenging with fast rapids and drops.
Hazards in these upper sections can include narrow chutes and logs in the water. Another 5-mile (8 km) section has Class III to III+ water. A challenging 8-mile (13 km) part, from Turner Bridge to Glen Avon Bridge, is rated Class III to IV. It has similar dangers, plus tricky spots to scout and a dangerous undercut at a rapid called Goldilocks.
The lower parts of the river are much calmer. A 6-mile (10 km) section from Glen Avon Bridge to Feyrer Park is Class II (novice). The most difficult rapids are at the beginning of this run. Below that, a 6-mile (10 km) stretch from Feyrer Park to the Oregon 213 Bridge is Class I (beginner) water. This is perfect for a relaxed paddle.
Fishing Fun
The Molalla River is home to different types of fish. You can find smallmouth bass near where it meets the Willamette River. In the upper parts and smaller streams, there are wild cutthroat trout.
For trout fishing, it's usually "catch and release." This means you catch the fish and then carefully let it go. The same rule applies to wild steelhead and Chinook salmon, which also swim in the Molalla River.
