| North Powder River | |
|---|---|
  Location of the mouth of the North Powder River in Oregon | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Union andBaker |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Blue Mountains |
| • location | Wallowa–Whitman National Forest |
| • coordinates | 44°52′15″N118°12′14″W / 44.87083°N 118.20389°W /44.87083; -118.20389[1] |
| • elevation | 7,627 ft (2,325 m)[2] |
| Mouth | Powder River |
• location | North Powder, Oregon |
• coordinates | 45°02′19″N117°53′44″W / 45.03861°N 117.89556°W /45.03861; -117.89556[1] |
• elevation | 3,205 ft (977 m)[1] |
| Length | 25 mi (40 km)[3] |
| Basin size | 118 sq mi (310 km2)[3] |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 90 cu ft/s (2.5 m3/s)[3] |
| Type | Scenic |
| Designated | October 28, 1988 |
TheNorth Powder River is a 25-mile (40 km) tributary of thePowder River in the northeastern part of theU.S. state ofOregon.[3] Fed by water from three small, high-elevation lakes, it begins in theElkhorn Mountains, a sub-range of theBlue Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.[4] From there it flows generally east to meet the larger river near the city ofNorth Powder.[5]
In 1988, the upper 6.4 miles (10.3 km) of the river, from the headwaters to the eastern boundary of theWallowa–Whitman National Forest was named part of theNational Wild and Scenic Rivers System.[4] About 30 miles (48 km) fromBaker City, the scenic upper river flows through rugged territory. Access by vehicle is limited to high-clearance types that use mainly the North Powder River Trail via Forest Road 7301.[6] Although the upper river flows throughold-growth forests and supports a population of wildrainbow trout, the lower river "mostly disappears in hayfield diversions."[3]
The lower river forms the border betweenUnion County on the north andBaker County on the south. Slightly upstream of North Powder, the river passes underInterstate 84.[5]
Named tributaries of the North Powder River from source to mouth are Horse Creek, North Fork North Powder River, Twin Mountain Creek, and Jimmy Creek. Then come Lawrence, Dutch Flat, Antone, and Little Antone creeks followed by Gorham Gulch. Entering the lower reaches are Anthony and Pilcher creeks.[7]