South Fork Clackamas River

Oregon

The South Fork of the Clackamas River is a tributary of the Clackamas River on the western slope of the Cascade Range in northwest Oregon. The 4.2-mile segment flows from its confluence with the East Fork of the South Fork of the Clackamas River and merges with Memaloose Creek to join the mainstem Clackamas River less than an hour's drive from Portland. As it flows through a narrow canyon with large rock outcrops and cliffs, a 100-foot waterfall in the lower part of the segment and old-growth trees along the river add to the visual diversity. Seasonally, deer and elk are in the area, and spotted owls and bald eagles also call the watershed home. Most of the watershed, filled with Pacific silver fir, Douglas fir and western hemlock, is under the care of the U.S. Forest Service.

Wild
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Designated Reach

March 30, 2009. From its confluence with the East Fork of the South Fork Clackamas River to its confluence with the Clackamas River.

Outstandingly Remarkable Values

Culture

There is evidence of significant human use prior to European exploration and settlement, as well as a wide variety of evidence of historic use. The prehistoric sites consist of mainly lithic scatters and modified trees (peeled cedars, springboard notches, etc.). Native American uses within the ri...Show More

Ecology

The river corridor encompasses a diversity of vegetation types and habitat. The river corridor is composed of a mosaic of riparian, wetland, and upslope non-riparian plant communities. Botanical and ecological values along the river include high-elevation mixed conifer in the headwaters. Lower el...Show More

Fish

There are small resident rainbow and cutthroat trout populations above the falls. Below the falls, spring chinook, winter and summer steelhead, fall run coho, and a late-winter run of coho are found. The Clackamas River contains the last significant run of wild, late-winter coho; a native stock o...Show More

Recreation

This is one of the most remote large streams in the state. Recreational uses include hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, whitewater boating, and access to catch-and-release fishing. The proximity to Portland results in high recreation demand and a high potential for recreation-related interpret...Show More

Wildlife

Riparian and upland habitats within the Clackamas River corridor support diverse communities of birds, mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates. Riparian area stands of old-growth Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and western redcedar provide valuable and increasingly rare habitat for many species, inc...Show More

Managing Partners And Contacts

Classification/Mileage

Wild
Wild — 4.2 miles; Total — 4.2 miles.
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