Ana River

Ana River
Ana River near Summer Lake, Oregon
Basin features
Main source	Springs near and under Ana Reservoir 4,226 ft (1,288 m) 42°59′51″N 120°45′30″W / 42.99749°N 120.75839°W / 42.99749; -120.75839
River mouth	Summer Lake 4,150 ft (1,260 m) 42°54′12″N 120°46′04″W / 42.90333°N 120.76778°W / 42.90333; -120.76778Coordinates: 42°54′12″N 120°46′04″W / 42.90333°N 120.76778°W / 42.90333; -120.76778
Physical characteristics
Length	7 mi (11 km)
Discharge	Average rate: 90 cu ft/s (2.5 m3/s)

The Ana River is a short spring-fed river in south-central Oregon. It is on the northwestern edge of the Great Basin drainage. It flows 7 miles (11 km) from springs at the foot of Winter Ridge through high desert, range, and wetlands before emptying into Summer Lake. For most of its course, the Ana River flows through the Summer Lake Wildlife Area, which is maintained by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The river provides habitat for many mammal and bird species, as well as several fish species, including the rare Summer Lake Tui chub. The largest hybrid striped bass ever caught in Oregon was taken from Ana Reservoir in 2009.

The Ana River is located a few miles east of the small unincorporated community of Summer Lake, Oregon. The river flows for 7 miles (11 km) through the high desert country of Lake County, Oregon, before draining into Summer Lake. The river was named by W. H. Byars, Oregon’s surveyor general from 1890 to 1894, who surveyed the land around Summer Lake. Byars named the river after his daughter.

The Ana River watershed is very small. As a result, runoff from snow melt and overland drainage is minimal except during major thunderstorms that produce direct precipitation on areas immediately adjacent to the river. The river is fed by a number of small springs that produce a relatively constant year-round flow of 80 cubic feet per second (2.3 m³/s) to 90 cubic feet per second (2.5 m³/s). The spring water is a constant 52 °F (11 °C). This helps the reservoir and river maintain a relatively mild water temperature, even during the cold winter months.

The Ana River originates in a series of springs located east of Winter Ridge, a high basin and range escarpment. The source springs are located near and under Ana Reservoir. The 60 acres (0.24 km²) reservoir is owned by the Summer Lake Irrigation District; however, the district’s reservoir frontage property is surrounded by the Summer Lake Wildlife Area, a wildlife refuge operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. For most of its course, the Ana River flows through the Summer Lake Wildlife Area.