RIVER OF THE MONTH
Siuslaw River The Siuslaw River flows from moss-covered mountains to wind-swept coastal sand dunes, cutting a path through one of the most productive forests in the world, the Siuslaw National Forest. Roughly 110-miles long, the river originates in the Coast Range and empties into the Pacific near the town of Florence, Oregon. It supports crucial habitat for salmon and steelhead and a lush temperate rain forest along the way. More than just a haven for plants and animals, the Siuslaw is also prized for its fishing, hiking, cycling and paddling.
Why It Matters
JUSTIN BAILIE
HOWARD PATTERSON
One of the richest ecosystems in the Coast Range, the Siuslaw River basin supports a staggering array of fish and wildlife species. Treasured by anglers, the Siuslaw is home to Chinook, steelhead and some of the largest runs of coho salmon on the Oregon Coast. The river is named after the Siuslaw Indians, which historically inhabited the area and called it ‘iktat’uu, meaning “The Big One.”
Fish
Sweet Creek, a tributary to the Siuslaw River. NATE ROE
The Siuslaw River system maintains viable populations of chinook and coho salmon (pictured), making it crucial to the longevity of these species on the Oregon Coast. The river supports sea-run and resident cutthroat trout and Pacific lamprey, and is also home to relatively strong winter steelhead runs.
Wildlife The Siuslaw River’s diverse geography supports a variety of wildlife species, including black bear, Roosevelt elk, cougar, northern river otter, clouded salamander, northern red-legged frog, beaver and mink. It also provides habitat for birds such as the marbled murrelet, northern spotted owl and purple martin (pictured).