North Fork Crooked River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Fork Crooked River |
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 Location of the mouth of North Fork Crooked River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Crook |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Ochoco National Forest Ochoco Mountains 44°14′05″N 120°12′51″W / 44.23472°N 120.21417°W |
| River mouth | Crooked River between Post and Paulina 44°07′01″N 120°14′43″W / 44.11694°N 120.24528°W |
| Length | 46 mi (74 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 323 sq mi (840 km2) |
| Type: | Wild, Scenic, Recreational |
| Designated: | October 28, 1988 |
The North Fork Crooked River is a river in Oregon, United States. It's about 46 miles (74 km) long. This river is a smaller stream that flows into the Crooked River. It starts in the beautiful Ochoco National Forest and the Ochoco Mountains. The river flows in different directions, first north, then east, and finally south-southwest. It joins the main Crooked River between the towns of Post and Paulina. This meeting point is about 111 miles (179 km) upstream from where the Crooked River itself flows into the Deschutes River.
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Protecting the North Fork Crooked River
In 1988, a big step was taken to protect the North Fork Crooked River. The United States Congress decided to add a large part of it to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This system helps keep special rivers natural and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
What is a Wild and Scenic River?
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System protects rivers that have outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational value. When a river is added to this system, it means it will be kept in its natural state. This helps protect wildlife, plants, and the beauty of the area.
River Designations
Different parts of the North Fork Crooked River were given special designations:
- About 12 miles (19 km) were called "wild." This means these sections are very natural and undeveloped. They are like they were many years ago.
- About 8 miles (13 km) were designated "scenic." These parts are beautiful and can be reached by roads, but they still feel wild.
- About 13 miles (21 km) were named "recreational." These sections are easier to access and are great for activities like fishing or hiking.
Private Land Along the River
Not all parts of the river were included in the "wild" designation. About 8 miles (13 km) of the upper river flows through an area called Big Summit Prairie. This land is privately owned and used for raising livestock. Because it's private land, it was not included in the wild river protection.
