Bureau of Land Management National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service

Cave Creek, Oregon

Study Agency:

National Park Service


Study Segments:

December 19, 2014 (Public Law 113-291). Cave Creek from the River Styx to the boundary of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Lake Creek from its headwaters at Bigelow Lakes to the confluence with Cave Creek. No Name Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with Cave Creek. Panther Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with Lake Creek. Upper Cave Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the River Styx.


Mileage:

8.3 miles.

Lake Creek

Cave Creek

Cave, Lake, No Name and Panther Creeks are part of the geologic marvel of the Oregon Caves system. Sometims above ground, other times below, this system of streams is a fragile, fascinating world.

The upper Cave Creek watershed is located within the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. The pristine waters are part of the headwater tributaries of the Illinois River, one of the last major undammed rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The complex, dynamic cave and riparian ecosystems are dependent on the continued existence and integrity of these waters.

The study streams are picturesque with opportunities to view the waterfalls, boulders, glacial cirques, dense vegetation, and hanging lakes. Glacial features include ice-carved lakes (tarns), subalpine ponds, glacially displaced boulders, windblown loess deposits, hanging valleys, faceted boulders, and residual rock piles known as moraines. Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is a premier site for concentrated geodiversity and is a great place to view the complex array of geology within a short amount of time.

The Port Orford cedar, the ecologically dominant riparian species, provides dense shading that contributes to cold temperatures and outstanding water quality. The scenic Port Orford cedar has distinctive lacy, graceful, and low-hanging foliage. Visitors get a sense of immersion and solitude when walking through sections of dense Port Orford cedar.

On December 19, 2014, through Public Law 113-291, Congress directed the National Park Service (NPS) to study five creeks in Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve for possible inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System under Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The creeks listed in the legislation are Lower Cave Creek (downstream of the River Styx), Lake Creek, No Name Creek, Panther Creek, and Upper Cave Creek (upstream of the River Styx). The NPS also studied Waterfelt Creek through Section 5(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

The NPS has completed the Oregon Caves Wild and Scenic River Study Report. The NPS's findings conclude both Lake Creek and Upper Cave Creek are eligible and suitable for wild and scenic river designation. To become components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the U.S. Congress would have to enact legislation designating the rivers.