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Rough-skinned newt
ECOSYSTEMS > INLAND OREGON

“Riparian” refers to anything along the banks of a river... and in Oregon this can cover a lot of territory. Rivers are plentiful here due largely to the proximity to the Pacific Ocean and numerous mountain ranges which create the precipitation and runoff needed to create rivers, streams and creeks.

​As winds blow in from the Pacific, the mountains force the air upward, causing its moisture to condense and drop as precipitation. This precipitation, whether it’s hail, snow or rain, flows downhill forming streams, creeks and rivers. Most of the rivers and creeks on the west side of the mountains flow back to the sea, thus completing this part of the hydrologic cycle.

Where Can I See Riparian Areas In Oregon?

Columbia River
GPS Coordinates: 47.364671, -125.31009
John Day River
GPS Coordinates: 45.0480382, -121.1485637
Chetco River
GPS Coordinates: 42.1974474, -124.3080583
Yaquina River
GPS Coordinates: 44.6123381, -124.0354039
Willamette River
GPS Coordinates: 44.8324353, -124.0573793
Deschutes River
GPS Coordinates: 44.6569471, -122.4269466

Features Related to Riparian Areas:

Endangered Oregon: Hope for an Ancient Fish: Often considered a "trash fish" in the Pacific Northwest, Native American tribes and their partners are working to change the ill-deserved reputation of the Pacific lamprey.

Field Experiences: The Tiny Creatures of Fall Creek: Students from Waldport High School work with the Oregon Hatchery Research Center to assess the health of the Fall Creek by taking a close look at some tiny aquatic animals.

Floras Lake State Park: This little known lake on Oregon's South Coast is a sanctuary containing diverse ecosystems like coastal forests, meadows, beaches and riparian areas.

The Hidden Riparian World: Living in a riparian area — literally between the earth and the water — requires some unique adaptations for both plants and animals.

Lewis and Clark State Recreational Site: First surveyed by British explorers and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, this area near the confluence of the Columbia and Sandy Rivers is now a popular recreational site which offers boating, fishing, rock-climbing and more.

Life At The Hatchery Research Center: Meet Alex Powell, a 22-year-old employee with the Oregon Hatchery Research Center. This is his story of what it's like to live and work in a fascinating but very rural facility along the banks of the Fall Creek.

​Oregon Hatchery Research Center: Hidden at the end of a long winding road outside the rural community of Alsea, this world-renowned institution was created to study of fish, migration patterns and conservation.
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