Cedar River (Willapa Bay)

Cedar River
Location of the mouth of the Cedar River in Washington
Location
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyPacific
Physical characteristics
SourceWillapa Hills
 • coordinates46°45′46″N 124°3′17″W / 46.76278°N 124.05472°W / 46.76278; -124.05472[1][2]
 • elevation165 ft (50 m)[3]
MouthWillapa Bay
 • location
Tokeland, Washington
 • coordinates
46°44′10″N 123°58′30″W / 46.73611°N 123.97500°W / 46.73611; -123.97500[1]
 • elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Length8 mi (13 km)[4]

The Cedar River is a short stream flowing into the north end of Willapa Bay in the U.S. state of Washington.

The Cedar River originates near Seastrand Ridge in the Willapa Hills, about a mile east of the Pacific Ocean near Heather and Grayland Beach State Park, just south of Grayland. It flows east, then south, for about 8 mi (13 km) until emptying into the northern end of Willapa Bay near Tokeland, just east of Dexter by the Sea.[2]

The river's lowermost course runs through part of the North Willapa Bay Wildlife Area Unit,[5] part of the Johns River Wildlife Area.[6]

The mouth of the Cedar River merges with Willapa Bay in a tidally-influenced estuary. There is a 275 acre protected unit called the Cedar River Estuary, managed by Forterra. This area is a tidal ecosystem with salt marshes, tidelands, and coniferous forests. It also includes Oyster Island, Bone Creek, and Norris Slough.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Cedar River
  2. ^ a b USGS topographic maps accessed via https://mapper.acme.com
  3. ^ GeoLocator
  4. ^ Measured using GNIS coordinates, Google Map, and ACME Mapper 2.2
  5. ^ "North Willapa Bay Wildlife Area Unit". Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Johns River Wildlife Area". Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Shoreline Analysis Report for Shorelines in Pacific County" (PDF). Washington State Department of Ecology. Retrieved 1 September 2019.