Smith River (Umpqua River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smith River |
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Along Lower Smith River Road northeast of Reedsport
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 Location of the mouth of the Smith River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Douglas County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Central Oregon Coast Range north of Drain, Douglas County, Oregon 1,407 ft (429 m) 43°44′25″N 123°20′22″W / 43.74028°N 123.33944°W |
| River mouth | Umpqua River Reedsport, Douglas County, Oregon 0 ft (0 m) 43°44′13″N 124°04′43″W / 43.73694°N 124.07861°W |
| Length | 91 mi (146 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 352 sq mi (910 km2) |
The Smith River is a river in Oregon, a state in the United States. It flows for about 90 miles (140 km) and is a branch of the Umpqua River. The Smith River helps drain an area of about 352 square miles (910 km²) in the Central Oregon Coast Range. This area is located between the Umpqua River to the south and the Siuslaw River to the north.
The river starts in northern Douglas County, about 10 miles (16 km) north of Drain. It then flows west, winding through the mountains. For about 10 miles (16 km) of its lower part, it runs through the Siuslaw National Forest. The Smith River joins the Umpqua River from the north, across from the town of Reedsport. This meeting point is about 6 miles (10 km) from where the Umpqua River flows into the Pacific Ocean.
Who Was Jedediah Smith?
The Smith River is named after Jedediah Smith. He was an explorer who lived in the early 1800s. In 1828, Jedediah Smith led a group of explorers on a long journey. They traveled from Utah all the way to northern California and southern Oregon.
After exploring California, they headed north. They camped along the banks of the Umpqua River, near where the Smith River joins it. This was on July 13. The next day, July 14, some Native Americans attacked Smith's group. Sadly, 15 of his party were killed.
One person managed to escape by going north to Tillamook and then to Fort Vancouver. Jedediah Smith and two other people were not in the camp when the attack happened. They ran east towards the Willamette Valley and survived. There is also another river named after him, the Smith River in California.
What Are the Smith River's Tributaries?
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. The Smith River has many named tributaries that join it along its path. They are listed here from the river's start (source) to its end (mouth).
First, there are Spring, Whiskey, Alder, Watering Trough, Sleezer, Tip Davis, Peterson, Redford, and Hall creeks. After these come Summit, Hefty, Plank, Clevenger, Beaver, Elk, and Arthur Jones creeks.
Next, the South Fork Smith River joins, followed by Salmonberry, Amberson, Panther, Haney, Huckleberry, Deer, Yellow, and Hardenbrook creeks.
Continuing downstream, you'll find Cleghorn, Johnson, Slideout, Clabber, Halfway, Mosetown, Blind, Rock, Marsh, Devils Club, South Sister, and North Sister creeks. Then come Beaver, Carpenter, Coldwater, Clearwater, Blackwell, and Scare creeks.
After that is the West Fork Smith River, followed by Vincent, Rachel, Johnson, Bear, Little Buck, and Buck creeks.
Finally, Fawn, Doe, Dailey, Spencer, Taylor, Wasson, and Murphy creeks join. Then the North Fork Smith River flows in, followed by Russian John Gulch, Eslick, Noel, Cassidy, Joyce, Black, and Brainard creeks. The last ones are Otter Slough, Camp Seven Gulch, Hudson Slough, Frantz Creek, and Butler Creek.
Images for kids
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Bridge over Smith River, near Reedsport
