South Fork Rogue River
Encyclopedia
The South Fork Rogue River is a 25 miles (40.2 km) tributary of the Rogue River
in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. Rising in the Sky Lakes Wilderness
in the Cascade Range
, it flows generally northeast through the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest to meet the Rogue River downstream of Prospect
and slightly upstream of Lost Creek Lake
.
in the Sky Lakes Wilderness of the Cascade Range. It flows north from Horseshoe Lake for about 4 miles (6.4 km) before turning northeast and entering Jackson County
, leaving the wilderness area and entering the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest. Over its next 5 miles (8 km), the river flows under Forest Road 37 at Upper South Fork Bridge, passes Upper South Fork Campground and receives Parker Creek from the left near Parker Meadows Campground, then Little Billie, Wickiup, and Sam creeks from the right. Below this, it receives Big Ben Creek from the right. The river then flows under Lower South Fork Bridge, which carries Forest Road 37, and by South Fork Campground, which is on the left. Below the bridge, the river receives Nichols and Green creeks from the right and Lodgepole Creek from the left. Imnaha Creek enters from the right at about river mile
(RM) 10.5 or river kilometer (RK) 16.9 just above the South Fork diversion dam
.
Turning west below the dam, the South Fork flows by a United States Geological Survey
(USGS) stream gauge
, which is on the left at RM 10.2 (RK 16.4). Buck Creek enters from the left about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the mouth, and the Middle Fork Rogue River enters from the right shortly thereafter. About 2 miles (3.2 km) further downstream, Beaver Dam Creek enters from the left, and Smith Creek enters from the left about 1 miles (1.6 km) later. The South Fork meets the Rogue River main stem
near the head of Lost Creek Lake
and about 167 miles (268.8 km) from the larger river's mouth
on the Pacific Ocean.
, cutthroat
, and brook trout
. Campgrounds near or along the river include those at Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area
, Imnaha, South Fork, Parker Meadows, and Upper South Fork. Hiking trails include Upper South Fork Trail 986, a primitive 5.1 miles (8.2 km) trail through South Fork Canyon near the headwaters to near Upper South Fork Bridge and Forest Road 37; Middle South Fork Trail, an easy 6.3 miles (10.1 km) trail between the upper and lower South Fork bridges, and Lower South Fork Trail, an easy 5.3 miles (8.5 km) trail between Lower South Fork Bridge and Imnaha Creek. Whitewater
boating of the highest difficulty, Class 5
, is possible at times on the Middle Fork Rogue River and on the South Fork below its confluence with the Middle Fork. The gorge through which this part of the Middle and South forks flow is sometimes impassable because of log jam
s. The entire run, including the 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) gorge, requires scouting and expert ability, and "is no place for the faint of heart or the claustrophobic". Below the gorge, the South Fork is class 3 to the mouth.
Rogue River (Oregon)
The Rogue River in southwestern Oregon in the United States flows about in a generally westward direction from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean. Known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. Rising in the Sky Lakes Wilderness
Sky Lakes Wilderness
The Sky Lakes Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Winema National Forests in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon, U.S.. It comprises . of the area are located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, and located in the Winema National Forest...
in the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
, it flows generally northeast through the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest to meet the Rogue River downstream of Prospect
Prospect, Oregon
Prospect is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. It is located along Oregon Route 62 on the Rogue River, in the Rogue River National Forest.- History :...
and slightly upstream of Lost Creek Lake
Lost Creek Lake
Lost Creek Lake is a reservoir located on the Rogue River in Jackson County, Oregon, USA. The lake is impounded by William L. Jess Dam which was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1977 for flood control. The lake and dam were the first completed elements of the multi-purpose Rogue...
.
Course
The river begins in Klamath CountyKlamath County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge* Crater Lake National Park * Deschutes National Forest * Fremont National Forest * Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge* Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge...
in the Sky Lakes Wilderness of the Cascade Range. It flows north from Horseshoe Lake for about 4 miles (6.4 km) before turning northeast and entering Jackson County
Jackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
, leaving the wilderness area and entering the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest. Over its next 5 miles (8 km), the river flows under Forest Road 37 at Upper South Fork Bridge, passes Upper South Fork Campground and receives Parker Creek from the left near Parker Meadows Campground, then Little Billie, Wickiup, and Sam creeks from the right. Below this, it receives Big Ben Creek from the right. The river then flows under Lower South Fork Bridge, which carries Forest Road 37, and by South Fork Campground, which is on the left. Below the bridge, the river receives Nichols and Green creeks from the right and Lodgepole Creek from the left. Imnaha Creek enters from the right at about river mile
River mile
In the United States, a River mile is a measure of distance in miles along a river from its mouth. River mile numbers begin at zero and increase further upstream. The corresponding metric unit using kilometers is the River kilometer...
(RM) 10.5 or river kilometer (RK) 16.9 just above the South Fork diversion dam
Diversion dam
A diversion dam is the term for a dam that diverts all or a portion of the flow of a river from its natural course. Diversion dams do not generally impound water in a reservoir...
.
Turning west below the dam, the South Fork flows by a United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
(USGS) stream gauge
Stream gauge
A stream gauge, stream gage or gauging station is a location used by hydrologists or environmental scientists to monitor and test terrestrial bodies of water. Hydrometric measurements of water surface elevation and/or volumetric discharge are generally taken and observations of biota may also be...
, which is on the left at RM 10.2 (RK 16.4). Buck Creek enters from the left about 6 miles (9.7 km) from the mouth, and the Middle Fork Rogue River enters from the right shortly thereafter. About 2 miles (3.2 km) further downstream, Beaver Dam Creek enters from the left, and Smith Creek enters from the left about 1 miles (1.6 km) later. The South Fork meets the Rogue River main stem
Main Stem
"Main Stem" is 1942 instrumental by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra. Although recorded in 1942, the single would not be released until 1944 where it was Duke Ellington's last of four number one's on the Harlem Hit Parade. "Main Stem" would also peak at number twenty on the pop chart"Main...
near the head of Lost Creek Lake
Lost Creek Lake
Lost Creek Lake is a reservoir located on the Rogue River in Jackson County, Oregon, USA. The lake is impounded by William L. Jess Dam which was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1977 for flood control. The lake and dam were the first completed elements of the multi-purpose Rogue...
and about 167 miles (268.8 km) from the larger river's mouth
River delta
A delta is a landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river...
on the Pacific Ocean.
Recreation
The river, lightly fished on its upper reaches, supports wild rainbowRainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
, cutthroat
Cutthroat trout
The cutthroat trout is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is one of the many fish species colloquially known as trout...
, and brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
. Campgrounds near or along the river include those at Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area
Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area
Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area is a state park located on the Rogue River approximately from Crater Lake National Park and northeast of Medford in Jackson County, southern Oregon. It is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Campsites are provided overlooking the ...
, Imnaha, South Fork, Parker Meadows, and Upper South Fork. Hiking trails include Upper South Fork Trail 986, a primitive 5.1 miles (8.2 km) trail through South Fork Canyon near the headwaters to near Upper South Fork Bridge and Forest Road 37; Middle South Fork Trail, an easy 6.3 miles (10.1 km) trail between the upper and lower South Fork bridges, and Lower South Fork Trail, an easy 5.3 miles (8.5 km) trail between Lower South Fork Bridge and Imnaha Creek. Whitewater
Whitewater
Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient increases enough to disturb its laminar flow and create turbulence, i.e. form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white...
boating of the highest difficulty, Class 5
International Scale of River Difficulty
The International Scale of River Difficulty is a standardized scale used to rate the safety of a stretch of river, or a single rapid. The grade reflects the technical difficulty and skill level required associated with the section of river...
, is possible at times on the Middle Fork Rogue River and on the South Fork below its confluence with the Middle Fork. The gorge through which this part of the Middle and South forks flow is sometimes impassable because of log jam
Log jam
A log jam is an accumulation of Large Woody Debris that can span an entire stream or river channel.-Effects on stream/river geomorphology:...
s. The entire run, including the 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) gorge, requires scouting and expert ability, and "is no place for the faint of heart or the claustrophobic". Below the gorge, the South Fork is class 3 to the mouth.