Introduction:
The Salmon is one of only 5 International Salmon Treaty Rivers in the world and has a portion of its lower stretches designated as the first Scenic River Research Area in America. This same area is also a United Nations Biosphere Reserve. The Salmon River Valley was home to the Nechesne Native American peoples whose populations were as high as 500 individuals in the estuary area alone, and the coastal trail ran through the current Westwind site and then after fording the river up Cascade Head to the North.. The estuarine lands are 100% protected by a mosaic of federal and NGO ownerships including the Westwind Stewardship Group, Nature Conservancy, Us Forest Service/ Siuslaw National Forest. Lastly the marine waters immediately to the West are designated both a Marine Protected Area and a Marine Reserve.
Basin Stats:
- Location: North Central Oregon Coast on the 45th parallel. Lincoln Polk and Tillamoook counties.
- Major Contributing Streams: Boulder Creek, Slick Rock Creek, Little Salmon River, Bear Creek, Panther Creek and Crowley Creek.
- River Length: 24 miles.
- Drainage area: 75 square miles acres
Threats:
- Large discharge of Fall Chinook by ODFW Hatchery.
- Failing Weir at hatchery encouraging a high proportion hatchery origin spawners (pHOS).
- Active industrials timber harvest employing 30 year rotations in upper half of watershed
- Disproportionately large recreational fishing pressure from multiple access points from Highway 101 and 18 as well as vulnerability of Fall Chinook within the lower 5 miles of tidal influence confining runs in small shallow pools.
Conservation Partners within the Basin:
- Westwind Stewardship Group
- Sitka Center for the Arts
- Nature Conservancy
- Salmon Drift Creek Watershed Council
- Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians
- Forest Service Hebo Office
For more information regarding the Salmon River visit these links:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/siuslaw/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fsbdev7_007294
https://www.1859oregonmagazine.com/travel/2012-september-october-outdoors-salmon-river