South Umpqua River
Encyclopedia
The South Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River
, approximately 115 miles (185 km) long, in southwestern Oregon
in the United States
. It drains part of the Cascade Range
east of Roseburg
. The river passes through a remote canyon in its upper reaches then emerges in the populated South Umpqua Valley east of Canyonville
.
approximately 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Crater Lake
. It flows generally southwest through a remote canyon in the Umpqua National Forest
to Tiller
, then west past Milo
and Days Creek
. It emerges into the South Umpqua Valley at Canyonville
, passing under Interstate 5
and flowing north along highway past Tri-City
, Myrtle Creek
, and Roseburg
. It joins the North Umpqua
from the south to form the Umpqua approximately 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Roseburg.
It receives Cow Creek from the south approximately 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Tri-City.
One of the main tributaries of the South Umpqua River is Cow Creek, which also flows west from the Cascade Mountains, but South of Canyonville. On its westward journey, the Cow Creek more or less runs parallel to the South Umpqua River, with an East-West mountain ridge separating them.
Cow Creek runs further west, swings around north and makes its confluence with the South Umpqua River at Tri City. The Cow Creek has such a significant flow that it is almost a toss-up as to which should be called the river and which the creek.
In 1853 a treaty was negotiated between Joel Palmer
, Superintendent of Indians, representing the Government of the United States and Chief Quintioosan and others, representing the Cow Creek Band
of the Umpqua people. Although the US Government ratified the treaty, the terms agreed upon in the treaty were never honored.
Beginning in the 1820s, trappers and traders of the Hudson's Bay Company began using the South Umpqua River valley to move along what became known as the Siskiyou Trail. The Siskiyou Trail was based on existing Indian footpaths, and became an important link between the Pacific Northwest and California's Central Valley.
In 1846, spurred by the desire to create a safer trail for emigrants to use to reach the Willamette Valley, Jesse and Lindsay Applegate, Levi Scott, and 13 other companions explored a new route through the valley that connected the southern Willamette Valley with Goose Lake in Northern California. This trail became known as the Applegate Trail, and linked up with the northernmost branch of the California Trail.
Interstate 5
closely follows the original Siskiyou Trail route through the valley today.
The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians received a land claims settlement from the US federal government in 1988.
Using the land claims settlement of $1.5 million, the Cow Creek Band operates a casino, hotel, convention center, and other businesses in Canyonville on the South Umpqua River.
South Umpqua Falls near Tiller
is the site of a popular picnic area and United States Forest Service
campground near the river. Open from May 1 to October 31, the campground has 16 sites suitable for tents or trailers.
Umpqua River
The Umpqua River on the Pacific coast of Oregon in the United States is approximately long. One of the principal rivers of the Oregon Coast and known for bass and shad, the river drains an expansive network of valleys in the mountains west of the Cascade Range and south of the Willamette Valley,...
, approximately 115 miles (185 km) long, in southwestern 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It drains part of 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...
east of Roseburg
Roseburg, Oregon
Roseburg is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the county seat of Douglas County. The population was 21,181 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. The river passes through a remote canyon in its upper reaches then emerges in the populated South Umpqua Valley east of Canyonville
Canyonville, Oregon
Canyonville is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,293 at the 2000 census, while the 2007 estimate is 1,640 residents...
.
Course
It rises in the high Cascades north of Fish Mountain, formed by the confluence of two short forks in eastern Douglas CountyDouglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
approximately 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Crater Lake
Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a caldera lake located in the south-central region of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. The lake partly fills a nearly deep caldera that was formed around 7,700 years agoby the...
. It flows generally southwest through a remote canyon in the Umpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest, in southern Oregon's Cascade mountains, covers an area of one-million acres in Douglas, Lane, and Jackson Counties, and borders Crater Lake National Park. The four ranger districts that comprise the Forest are Cottage Grove, Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger...
to Tiller
Tiller, Oregon
Tiller is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 227 and the South Umpqua River, in the Umpqua National Forest....
, then west past Milo
Milo, Oregon
Milo is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States, about 17 miles east of Canyonville on the South Umpqua River.Milo post office was established in 1923; Cora E. Buker was the first postmaster. It was named for Milo, Maine, the hometown of Amos O. Buker, who was the...
and Days Creek
Days Creek, Oregon
Days Creek is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 227, at the confluence of Days Creek and the South Umpqua River....
. It emerges into the South Umpqua Valley at Canyonville
Canyonville, Oregon
Canyonville is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,293 at the 2000 census, while the 2007 estimate is 1,640 residents...
, passing under Interstate 5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
and flowing north along highway past Tri-City
Tri-City, Oregon
Tri-City is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 3,519 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tri-City is located at...
, Myrtle Creek
Myrtle Creek, Oregon
Myrtle Creek is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 3,419 at the 2000 census.It is the birthplace of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.-Geography:...
, and Roseburg
Roseburg, Oregon
Roseburg is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the county seat of Douglas County. The population was 21,181 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. It joins the North Umpqua
North Umpqua River
The North Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River, approximately long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains a scenic and rugged area of the Cascade Range southwest of Eugene, flowing through steep canyons and surrounded by large Douglas-fir forests...
from the south to form the Umpqua approximately 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Roseburg.
It receives Cow Creek from the south approximately 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Tri-City.
One of the main tributaries of the South Umpqua River is Cow Creek, which also flows west from the Cascade Mountains, but South of Canyonville. On its westward journey, the Cow Creek more or less runs parallel to the South Umpqua River, with an East-West mountain ridge separating them.
Cow Creek runs further west, swings around north and makes its confluence with the South Umpqua River at Tri City. The Cow Creek has such a significant flow that it is almost a toss-up as to which should be called the river and which the creek.
History
For centuries the South Umpqua River and Cow Creek were the homelands for the Umpqua Indians. However, gold was discovered on the South Umpqua River in 1848 causing an influx of gold miners and the homesteaders found the rich agricultural land of the area desirable.In 1853 a treaty was negotiated between Joel Palmer
Joel Palmer
General Joel Palmer was an American pioneer of the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. He was born in Canada, and spent his early years in New York and Pennsylvania before serving as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives.Palmer traveled to the Oregon...
, Superintendent of Indians, representing the Government of the United States and Chief Quintioosan and others, representing the Cow Creek Band
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, known to the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians of Oregon is a federally recognized Native American tribal government based in Canyonville, Oregon, United States. The Cow Creek Band is also known as the Upper Umpqua...
of the Umpqua people. Although the US Government ratified the treaty, the terms agreed upon in the treaty were never honored.
Beginning in the 1820s, trappers and traders of the Hudson's Bay Company began using the South Umpqua River valley to move along what became known as the Siskiyou Trail. The Siskiyou Trail was based on existing Indian footpaths, and became an important link between the Pacific Northwest and California's Central Valley.
In 1846, spurred by the desire to create a safer trail for emigrants to use to reach the Willamette Valley, Jesse and Lindsay Applegate, Levi Scott, and 13 other companions explored a new route through the valley that connected the southern Willamette Valley with Goose Lake in Northern California. This trail became known as the Applegate Trail, and linked up with the northernmost branch of the California Trail.
Interstate 5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
closely follows the original Siskiyou Trail route through the valley today.
Economic importance
The South Umpqua River valley became an important timber-producing region in the 20th century. In the 21st century, tourism became important to the South Umpqua Valley.The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians received a land claims settlement from the US federal government in 1988.
Using the land claims settlement of $1.5 million, the Cow Creek Band operates a casino, hotel, convention center, and other businesses in Canyonville on the South Umpqua River.
South Umpqua Falls near Tiller
Tiller, Oregon
Tiller is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 227 and the South Umpqua River, in the Umpqua National Forest....
is the site of a popular picnic area and United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
campground near the river. Open from May 1 to October 31, the campground has 16 sites suitable for tents or trailers.
Works cited
- McArthur, Lewis A., and McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names, 7th ed. Portland: Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN 0-87595-277-1.