Little Mashel River
Encyclopedia
The Little Mashel River is a river
in Pierce County
, Washington. It is a tributary of the Mashel River
, and enters the Mashel just 380 feet (116 m) downstream from the Eatonville, Washington
city limits. It is noted for its canyon and the three waterfalls.
. Upon exiting the lake, the river, very small at this point, flows northeast for about 0.3 miles (483 m) before turning northwest for about 5.7 miles (9 km), merging with South Fork Little Mashel River about 4.9 miles (8 km) along the way. There, the river briefly turns southwest, picks up the waters of its only named tributary, Midway Creek, and then turns northwest again. It flows that way for another 1.2 miles (2 km) or so until its confluence with the Mashel. A short canyon that sees the river drop over three large, often visited waterfalls lies about 0.6 miles (966 m) above its mouth.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in Pierce County
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
, Washington. It is a tributary of the Mashel River
Mashel River
The Mashel River is a river in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a tributary of the Nisqually River, which it enters about northwest of Eatonville, at Nisqually river mile 39.6.- Course :...
, and enters the Mashel just 380 feet (116 m) downstream from the Eatonville, Washington
Eatonville, Washington
Eatonville is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,758 at the 2010 census.-History:For centuries, Indian people roamed the rivers and streams of the Eatonville area. Indian Henry was one of those who, in 1889, guided the town's founder, Thomas C. Van Eaton, from...
city limits. It is noted for its canyon and the three waterfalls.
Course
The Little Mashel begins in a small, unnamed lake located about 7.6 miles (12 km) southeast of Eatonville, WashingtonEatonville, Washington
Eatonville is a town in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,758 at the 2010 census.-History:For centuries, Indian people roamed the rivers and streams of the Eatonville area. Indian Henry was one of those who, in 1889, guided the town's founder, Thomas C. Van Eaton, from...
. Upon exiting the lake, the river, very small at this point, flows northeast for about 0.3 miles (483 m) before turning northwest for about 5.7 miles (9 km), merging with South Fork Little Mashel River about 4.9 miles (8 km) along the way. There, the river briefly turns southwest, picks up the waters of its only named tributary, Midway Creek, and then turns northwest again. It flows that way for another 1.2 miles (2 km) or so until its confluence with the Mashel. A short canyon that sees the river drop over three large, often visited waterfalls lies about 0.6 miles (966 m) above its mouth.