North Fork Malheur River | |
---|---|
Etymology | From the French malheur (bad fortune), applied by French Canadian hunters whose cache of furs near the river were stolen[2] |
Location | |
Country | United States |
State | Oregon |
County | Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Blue Mountains |
• location | Big Cow Burn, Baker County |
• coordinates | 44°21′58″N 118°24′16″W / 44.36611°N 118.40444°W[1] |
• elevation | 6,884 ft (2,098 m)[3] |
Mouth | Malheur River |
• location | Juntura, Malheur County |
• coordinates | 43°45′25″N 118°03′40″W / 43.75694°N 118.06111°W[1] |
• elevation | 2,923 ft (891 m)[1] |
Length | 59 mi (95 km)[4] |
Basin size | 550 sq mi (1,400 km2)[5] |
Discharge | |
• location | Beulah, 14.5 miles (23.3 km) from the mouth[6] |
• average | 87.9 cu ft/s (2.49 m3/s)[6] |
• minimum | 0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s) |
• maximum | 7,000 cu ft/s (200 m3/s) |
Type | Scenic |
Designated | October 28, 1988 |
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.