North Fork Owyhee River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Fork Owyhee River |
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Location of the mouth of the North Fork Owyhee River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon, Idaho |
| County | Malheur County, Oregon, Owyhee County, Idaho |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Owyhee Mountains near Indian Meadows, Idaho 6,685 ft (2,038 m) 42°40′59″N 116°47′25″W / 42.68306°N 116.79028°W |
| River mouth | Owyhee River Three Forks, Oregon 3,953 ft (1,205 m) 42°32′39″N 117°10′10″W / 42.54417°N 117.16944°W |
| Length | 30.4 mi (48.9 km) |
| Type: | Wild, Recreational |
| Designated: | October 28, 1988 |
The North Fork Owyhee River is a river about 30 miles (48 km) long. It flows into the Owyhee River in Oregon and Idaho, in the United States. This river starts in the Owyhee Mountains in Idaho. It then flows southwest to a place called Three Forks, Oregon. This is where it joins the main Owyhee River. The Owyhee River eventually flows into the Snake River.
Many smaller streams flow into the North Fork Owyhee River. These are called tributaries. Some of these include Noon Creek, Pleasant Valley Creek, and Juniper Creek in Idaho. Further downstream in Oregon, Squaw Creek, Cherry Creek, and the Middle Fork Owyhee River join it. All these streams add water to the North Fork Owyhee River.
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What Makes the River Special?
Wild and Scenic River Status
A big part of the North Fork Owyhee River is protected. About 20.8 miles (33.5 km) of the upper river are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This means the river is kept in its natural state. Some sections are called "wild," meaning they are very untouched. Other parts are "recreational," which means they are good for outdoor activities.
The lower 9.6 miles (15.4 km) of the river are also classified as "wild." This section flows through a deep canyon. The canyon walls are made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) helps to protect the land around the river.
Camping Along the River
You can go camping near the North Fork Owyhee River. The BLM runs the North Fork Campground. It is about 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Jordan Valley, Oregon. The campground has seven simple campsites. There are picnic tables, fire pits, and a special toilet. However, there is no drinking water available, so you need to bring your own.
Exploring the North Fork Owyhee Wilderness
What is the Wilderness Area?
In 2009, the United States Congress created the North Fork Owyhee Wilderness. This is a large protected area. It covers about 43,000 acres (17,000 ha) in Idaho. The wilderness starts at the river's beginning and goes almost to the Oregon border. The BLM also manages this special area.
Nature and Wildlife in the Wilderness
The wilderness has amazing river canyons. Some of these canyons are more than 1,000 feet (300 m) deep! There are also large flat areas called plateaus. This area is home to many different animals and plants. You might see sage grouse, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. There are also some rare plants that grow here. The wilderness is about 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Boise.
