North Fork Malheur River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Fork Malheur River |
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 Location of the mouth of the North Fork Malheur River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Blue Mountains Big Cow Burn, Baker County 6,884 ft (2,098 m) 44°21′58″N 118°24′16″W / 44.36611°N 118.40444°W |
| River mouth | Malheur River Juntura, Malheur County 2,923 ft (891 m) 43°45′25″N 118°03′40″W / 43.75694°N 118.06111°W |
| Length | 59 mi (95 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 550 sq mi (1,400 km2) |
| Type: | Scenic |
| Designated: | October 28, 1988 |
The North Fork Malheur River is a river in eastern Oregon, United States. It is about 59-mile (95 km) long. This river flows into the larger Malheur River.
The North Fork Malheur River starts in a place called Big Cow Burn, which is in the Blue Mountains. From there, it generally flows south. It joins the Malheur River near a town called Juntura.
A special part of the river, about 25.5 miles (41.0 km) long, is called "Wild and Scenic." This means it's protected for its natural beauty. This area is great for camping, hiking, and fishing in a quiet forest. Further downstream, the river flows into Beulah Reservoir. This reservoir holds water for farms and has places for boats.
Contents
River's Journey: Where the North Fork Flows
The North Fork Malheur River begins in western Baker County. This is west of the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest. It starts about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Prairie City.
As it flows south, the river passes through the Malheur National Forest. Many smaller streams join it along the way. These include Horseshoe Creek, Deadhorse Creek, Flat Creek, Spring Creek, and Swamp Creek. Further downstream, Cow Creek, Little Cow Creek, and Sheep Creek also add water.
The river then leaves Baker County and enters Grant County. Here, Elk Creek and Telephone Gulch join the river. You can find North Fork Campground and Stink Creek in this area. The river also passes under a footbridge used by hikers. Crane Creek joins the river near Crane Creek Campground.
After passing through a canyon, the river turns southeast. It then leaves Grant County and enters Harney County. The Little Malheur River also flows into it here.
Finally, the North Fork leaves Harney County and enters Malheur County. Castle Rock Creek joins it before the river flows into Beulah Reservoir.
River Flow and Water Levels
After leaving Beulah Reservoir, the river passes a special measuring station at Beulah. This station helps scientists track how much water is flowing. The average flow of the river at Beulah is about 87.9 cubic feet per second (2.5 m3/s). This measurement covers about 80 percent of the river's total watershed.
The highest flow ever recorded was 7,000 cubic feet per second (198 m3/s) on May 7, 1942. This happened during a flood when the gates at Agency Valley Dam failed. Sometimes, the river's flow has been recorded as 0 cubic feet per second (0 m3/s), meaning no water was flowing past the station.
The river then flows north of and next to U.S. Route 20. It turns east as it reaches Juntura. There, it empties into the Malheur River, which is a tributary of the Snake River.
Wild and Scenic Protection
The first 25.5 miles (41.0 km) of the North Fork Malheur River is protected. This section, from its start to where it leaves the Malheur National Forest, became part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1988. This means about 43 percent of the river's total length is protected for its natural beauty.
Fun Activities: Exploring the North Fork
The North Fork Malheur River offers many chances for outdoor fun. You can go camping, hiking, and fishing in a beautiful, quiet area.
Camping and Trails
- North Fork Campground: This campground is great for tents and trailers.
- Crane Crossing Campground: This spot is more remote and is best for tent camping.
Both campgrounds are simple. They have tables, toilets, and fire rings, but no drinking water.
The North Fork Malheur Trail lets you explore 12.4 miles (20.0 km) of the river. This trail runs between Crane Crossing and the southern edge of the Malheur National Forest.
Boating at Beulah Reservoir
Further downstream, the Malheur County Parks Department has boating facilities at Beulah Reservoir. These include a parking lot, a boat ramp, and a restroom. They are located near the dam, about 15 miles (24 km) north of Juntura.
The reservoir's size changes throughout the year. It is mainly used to store water for irrigation. The lake is usually full in the spring and lower in the fall. At its biggest, the lake covers about 1,900 acres (770 ha).
Fishing Opportunities
The North Fork Malheur River is a good place to fish for trout. You can find Great Basin redband trout, rainbow trout, and bull trout in the river above Beulah Reservoir.
If you fish here, you can only use artificial flies and lures. Also, bull trout are a threatened species, so if you catch one, you must release it carefully back into the water. The part of the river below the reservoir mostly flows through private land, so access for fishing there is limited.
