Elk River

The Elk River, located primarily in Curry County, drains approximately 92 square miles or 58,678 acres. A small portion of the North Fork extends into Coos County. The Elk is slightly less than 40 miles in length and is among the larger coastal watersheds in southern Oregon. The Elk flows in a westerly direction and empties into the Pacific Ocean just north of the town of Port Orford. Elevations in the watershed range from sea level to approximately 4,080 feet on Iron Mountain. Major tributaries include the North Fork, South Fork, Blackberry Creek, Panther Creek, Butler Creek, and Bald Mountain Creek. The upper portion of the basin is characterized by steeply sloped forested areas with narrow valleys and tributary streams that have moderately steep to very steep gradient. Grazing, rural residential development and other agricultural uses are the dominant land uses in the lower portion of the basin. Over one half of the Elk River basin is situated in a designated wilderness area.

Watershed Facts

Land Ownership & Use

78% public ownership, 22% private ownership (2% industrial private, 20% non-industrial private)

Vegetation

91% forest/shrub, <1% impervious, 1% wetland

Watershed Size

92 square miles/58,678 acres

Hydrology/Flow

2 yr peak flow – 11500 cfs
10 yr peak flow – 19400 cfs
50 yr peak flow – 26500 cfs
100 yr peak flow – 29500 cfs
Average Flow Range (5% – 95% flow durations): 2940 cfs – 16.5 cfs

Fish Use

Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, coastal cutthroat, winter steelhead trout, Pacific lamprey (eulachon, Surf smelt, Pacific herring, redtail surfperch, striped surfperch, starry flounder - estuarine species)

Did you know?

At least 70 mammal species, 12 reptiles, 16 amphibians, and 194 bird species use the Elk River’s diverse terrestrial habitats. Two mammals and eight birds are ESA listed or species of concern.

Restoration and Education Efforts

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