Chetco River

Oregon

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Post Office Box 520
333 West 8th Street
Medford, Oregon 97501

Designated Reach: October 28, 1988. From its headwaters to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest boundary.

Classification/Mileage: Wild — 27.5 miles; Scenic — 8.0 miles; Recreational — 11.0 miles; Total — 44.5 miles.

The River

The Omnibus Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1988 designated 44.5 miles of the Chetco River as wild and scenic, from its headwaters in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness down to the Siskiyou National Forest boundary just above Loeb State Park. The designated segment of the Chetco is located within Curry County in southwest Oregon on the Chetco Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The Chetco Wild and Scenic River is divided into three segments: a 25.5-mile wild segment from the headwaters down to Boulder Creek at the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Boundary; an 8.0-mile scenic segment from Boulder Creek down to Steel Bridge; and an 11.0-mile recreational segment from Steel Bridge down to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest boundary one mile below Wilson Creek.

The Chetco heads in steep, deeply dissected, sparsely vegetated, mountainous terrain within the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. Over its 55.5-mile length, the Chetco drops from 3,700 feet to sea-level as it empties into the Pacific Ocean between the towns of Brookings and Harbor, about five miles north of the California border. In the upper section, the river floor is fairly narrow and boulder-strewn with numerous falls and rapids. As the river leaves the wilderness, its character gradually changes. The country becomes less dissected, the river gradient gradually becomes less steep, the river bottom widens and the surrounding hills become more densely forested. The river narrows in several areas, crossing through rock outcrops and leaving enormous boulders in the riverbed. The Chetco River Gorge, just below Steel Bridge, contains steep sides and unusual rock formations. Below this, the Chetco continues to broaden, and the gradient becomes less steep, with sand and gravel bars and raised river terraces becoming more common.

Recreation, water quality, and the fishery are the Chetco's as being outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs).

Recreation. The Chetco River and its adjacent corridor offer a wide diversity of recreational opportunities. In winter, salmon and steelhead fishing and whitewater kayaking are the primary recreational uses. In summer, fishing, four-wheel driving, swimming, boating, camping, sightseeing and picnicking are the major attractions.

Water Quality. The Chetco's water quality was found to be an ORV based on its striking color and clarity, its ability to clear quickly following storm events, its contribution to both recreation and fisheries, and its contribution of exceptionally pure and clean water for the domestic water supplies of both Brookings and Harbor.

Fisheries. The Chetco River fishery, typical of Pacific coastal systems, is dominated by trout and salmon. There are important populations of anadromous winter steelhead, fall Chinook salmon, and sea-run cutthroat trout. Coho and chum salmon are occasionally observed. Resident cutthroat and rainbow trout are abundant in upper stream reaches. Native populations of fall Chinook and winter steelhead are supplemented with hatchery fish. The Chetco provides excellent spawning and rearing habitat and has some of the highest salmonid smolt returns of any coastal stream in Oregon. Pacific lamprey, three-spined stickleback, and assorted sculpin are also known to inhabit this system.

Recreation Opportunities

Primary transportation routes within the river corridor are the North Bank Chetco River Road (#1376), the South Bank River Road (#1205), and associated spur roads. Recreationists can access the recreational and scenic river segments and launch boats in several locations, including Miller, Nook, Redwood riverbars; upper and lower South Fork Camps; the Low-water Bridge Site; Forest Road #1917-067; and the dispersed campsite at Steel Bridge. Various trails access the river, both maintained and unmaintained.

Fishing and Boating. Free, mandatory permits are required to float the Chetco for all users year round. The primary fishing season for steelhead and salmon is between November and March. Whitewater boating on the Chetco is restricted by its limited access, high use during the fishing season, and availability of other good boating opportunities in the area. A very limited number of kayakers have floated through the wild segment of the Chetco during high-flow conditions. Rapids are Class III and below during the summer months during average flows. During the winter months rapid class is higher depending upon flow conditions. Summer floating during low water conditions has become an increasingly popular river activity on all river segments.

Camping. Day use of river bars and boat launch sites is free. Fees are required for overnight use (between the hours of 8 pm and 8 am) at Miller, Nook and Redwood Riverbars, Upper and Lower South Fork Camps and the Little Redwood Campground. A camping fee is also required at Loeb State Park located below the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest boundary.

River Ethics. When camping on remote sites without facilities, use existing fire-rings. If a fire-ring is not present, contain your fire using a fire pan. Pack out all garbage and unburned fire residue. Whenever possible, if a toilet facility is not available, pack out human fecal waste using a wilderness toilet system designed to meet state requirements (no use of plastic bags and provide for discharge into a recreational vehicle dump site). If you don't have a satisfactory pack-out toilet, bury the waste above the high-water mark, in mineral soil (not sand), 6"-8" deep, above the high water mark.

Restrictions. Mandatory permits are required to float the Chetco for all users year-round. Free self-issuing permits are available at a boat registration station along the North Bank Chetco River Road (Forest Service Road 1376 a short distance past the Forest Boundary). Motorized boat use is not allowed on any river segment. Motorized vehicle crossings of the river are prohibited.

For More Information

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Post Office Box 520
333 West 8th Street
Medford, Oregon 97501
Comment Form: www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou/contact/feedback.shtml