GPS Coordinates: 45.0467712, -124.0237349

REGIONS > OREGON COAST > CENTRAL OREGON COAST
> LINCOLN CITY AND VICINITY > CASCADE HEAD 

There are actually two Salmon Rivers in Oregon. The one being addressed here has its headwaters in the Coast Range Mountains and flows west to empty into the Pacific Ocean at Cascade Head. The other has its origins on the slopes of Mount Hood and ultimately drains into the Columbia River.

The coastal river is part of a large and thriving ecosystem at the southern end of the North Oregon Coast.  As far back as 12.000 years ago, indigenous people known as the Nechesney used the river and the surrounding area, often purposefully burning the forest nearby to create meadows which were more conducive to hunting game and foraging for wild plants. A Nechesney hunting-fishing village was established along the banks of the river when the coast was inundated by the tsunami of 1700. The village was destroyed along with other native encampments and there are still protected archaeological sites all along the banks of the river. 

A Revitalized River:

Although the area recovered from the devastation of the tsunami, the river's health and productivity were deeply impacted during the early and mid twentieth century through the introduction of cattle and some misguided real estate ventures such as the failed Pixieland amusement park. After suffering considerable environmental degradation, federal, state and private entities began working together in the 1970s and 80s to restore the watershed to its historical condition. 

Today, the river provides vital habitat for both wild and hatchery released fish. Common species include steelhead trout and both Coho and Chinook salmon. The river estuary is also a fertile nursery for a variety of coastal fish species, including shiner perch, rockfish, kelp greenling, and cabezon. Harbor seals also use the river as a safe place to rear their young before venturing out to sea.

If you're interested in exploring the river, local parks and the Westwind facility provide recreational and conservation activities. There is a boat launch at the Knight County Park and kayaking is a popular sport on the river.

RELATED FEATURES: Catastrophe! June 26, 1700 | The Lost Promise of Pixieland

Representative Species of the Salmon River:

Suggested Activities for the Salmon River: