THE SALMON RIVER

Designated Reach: October 28, 1988. From its headwaters to its confluence with the Sandy River.

Classification/Mileage: Wild -- 15.0 miles; Scenic -- 4.8 miles; Recreational -- 13.7 miles; Total -- 33.5 miles.

The Salmon is one of the few rivers designated for its entire length, from its headwaters in the snowfields high on Mt. Hood to its confluence with the Sandy River. Only an hour's drive from Portland, this clear river cascades over numerous waterfalls in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness before reaching its lower forested canyons. It is known for outstanding wild salmon and steelhead fisheries, numerous recreational opportunities, and the unique Cascade Streamwatch Interpretive Area at the Bureau of Land Management's Wildwood Recreation Site.

The Salmon River's proximity to metropolitan Portland, Oregon, makes it easy for people to enjoy the diverse recreational opportunities that the river offers. In its resource assessment, the river plan identified recreation, scenery, fish, wildlife, and vegetative communities as being outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). To qualify as an ORV, each value must be a unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a regional or national level

Recreation. The river and its corridor offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, nordic and alpine skiing, camping and developed recreation sites. Sport fishing is also exceptional at this river, and its reknowned summer steelhead fishery draws anglers from around the state.

Scenery. The scenery of the area is both impressive and diverse. Some of the things that can be seen at Salmon River are close-up views of Mt. Hood and a narrow river canyon containing a series of 6 waterfalls within a 3 mile segment.

Fish. Along with the important and productive anadromous fisheries, there are several rare native fish species found in this river.

Habitat. The corridor of Salmon River contains a wide diversity orf wildlife habitat that is important for federally listed threatened and endangered species, and also for big game.

Vegetative Communities. Along the length of the river, from its headwaters to its mouth, are a wide variety of life and plant zones. Its meadow complex provides great ecological diversity, including several rare plant communities.