South Fork Roaring River

South Fork Roaring River
Location of the mouth of the South Fork Roaring River in Oregon
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyClackamas County
Physical characteristics
SourceRock Lakes
 • locationMount Hood National Forest, Cascade Range
 • coordinates45°08′50″N 121°58′52″W / 45.14722°N 121.98111°W / 45.14722; -121.98111[1]
 • elevation4,373 ft (1,333 m)[2]
MouthRoaring River
 • coordinates
45°11′01″N 122°03′08″W / 45.18361°N 122.05222°W / 45.18361; -122.05222[1]
 • elevation
1,732 ft (528 m)[1]
Length4.6 mi (7.4 km)[3]
TypeWild
DesignatedMarch 30, 2009

The South Fork Roaring River is a 4.6-mile (7.4 km) tributary of the Roaring River in Clackamas County in the U.S. state of Oregon.[3] Beginning at Rock Lakes in the Mount Hood National Forest in the Cascade Range, it flows generally northwest along the base of Indian Ridge to meet the main stem.[4] The South Fork has no named tributaries.[4]

In 2009, the entire river was added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Designated "wild", its watershed includes old-growth forest, a deeply incised canyon, and many cascades, and provides prime habitat for northern spotted owls.[3]

The watershed is part of the Roaring River Wilderness,[3] a 36,500-acre (14,800 ha) federally protected area also established in 2009. The area is off-limits to commercial logging and mechanized recreation though still open to fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, and many other activities.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "South Fork Roaring River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 28, 1980. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  2. ^ Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  3. ^ a b c d "Roaring River (South Fork), Oregon". National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "United States Topographic Map". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved December 9, 2015 – via ACME Mapper.
  5. ^ Preusch, Matthew (April 6, 2009). "No Cars, No Roads, No Kidding". The Oregonian. Retrieved December 9, 2015 – via Oregon Live.