North Fork Malheur River
| North Fork Malheur River | |
| Name origin: From the French malheur (bad fortune), applied by French Canadian hunters whose cache of furs near the river were stolen | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Oregon |
| County | Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur |
| Source | Blue Mountains |
| - location | Big Cow Burn, Baker County |
| - elevation | 6,884 ft (2,098 m) |
| - coordinates | 44°21′58″N 118°24′16″W / 44.36611°N 118.40444°W |
| Mouth | Malheur River |
| - location | Juntura, Malheur County |
| - elevation | 2,923 ft (891 m) |
| - coordinates | 43°45′25″N 118°03′40″W / 43.75694°N 118.06111°WCoordinates: 43°45′25″N 118°03′40″W / 43.75694°N 118.06111°W |
| Length | 59 mi (95 km) |
| Basin | 550 sq mi (1,424 km2) |
| Discharge | for Beulah, 14.5 miles (23.3 km) from the mouth |
| - average | 87.9 cu ft/s (2 m3/s) |
| - max | 7,000 cu ft/s (198 m3/s) |
| - min | 0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s) |
  Location of the mouth of the North Fork Malheur River in Oregon
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The North Fork Malheur River is a 59-mile (95 km) tributary of the Malheur River in eastern Oregon in the United States. Rising in Big Cow Burn in the Blue Mountains, it flows generally south to join the larger river at Juntura. The upper 25.5 miles (41.0 km) of the river have been designated Wild and Scenic. This part of the river basin offers camping, hiking, and fishing opportunities in a remote forest setting. The lower river passes through Beulah Reservoir, which stores water for irrigation and has facilities for boaters.
The river begins at Big Cow Burn in western Baker County, just west of the western edge of the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest and about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Prairie City. Flowing generally south through the Malheur National Forest, the North Fork receives Horseshoe and Deadhorse creeks from the , then Flat and Spring creeks from the , followed by Swamp Creek from the right. Further downstream, Cow, Little Cow, and Sheep creeks enter from the right before Eopian Creek enters from the left and then Short Creek from the right.
Below Short Creek, the river leaves Baker County and enters Grant County. Elk Creek enters from the right and Telephone Gulch from the left before the river reaches North Fork Campground and Stink Creek, which enters from the left. Dugout Creek enters from the left before the river passes under a footbridge carrying a hiking trail running parallel to the stream. Crane Creek enters from the right at Crane Creek Campground. Further downstream, Sage Hen Gulch enters from the left.
Passing through a canyon downstream of Sage Hen Gulch, the river receives Skagway Creek from the left before turning southeast and receiving Bear Creek from the right before leaving Grant County and entering Harney County. Beyond the county boundary Little Malheur River enters from the left. Continuing southeast, the North Fork leaves Harney County and enters Malheur County. Castle Rock Creek enters from the left, and below this the river enters Beulah Reservoir.
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Wikipedia