The Powder River is located in northeastern Oregon and is a tributary of the Snake River. It flows almost entirely within Baker County, but downstream of the city of North Powder, it becomes part of the border between Baker County and Union County. This 11.7-mile (18.8 km) stretch of the Powder River is classified as ‘wild’ and flows through a rugged canyon with geologic formations of spectacular beauty. The fishing is great, as is the hunting, although access is limited. Float boating does occur, but only in the early spring.

Designated Reach:

October 28, 1988. From Thief Valley Dam to the Highway 203 Bridge.

Classification/Mileage:

Scenic — 11.7 miles; Total — 11.7 miles.

Scenic

The Powder River corridor contains a diversity of landforms and vegetation that capture viewers’ attention. It runs through a steep-walled canyon that is 500-feet deep in some locations, which provides a truly remote and primitive feeling. The canyon is semi-desert, and the river provides a riparian contrast. The hillsides host bunchgrasses and sage, with a few riverside Ponderosa pines for diversity.

Recreation

The Power River corridor provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The primary activities are fishing; upland game and big game hunting; and geologic, zoologic and scenic sightseeing. Kayaking takes place on the Powder River only during the spring runoff period and should be pursued only by highly skilled floaters.

Fisheries

The Powder River supports a number of species of fish, including rainbow trout (stocked and native), catfish, crappie, dace, redside shiner, brown bullhead and various species of suckers. The Powder is known regionally for its truly outstanding rainbow fisheries. It provides habitat for native spawning rainbows that can grow to record size. The riparian zone and the diversity of life in the river, including plentiful level of insects, crustaceans and baitfish, is truly outstanding and the reason for the health of the trout population.

Wildlife

Wildlife species found within the Powder River corridor are mule deer, badger, yellow-bellied marmot, river otter, chukar, golden eagle, prairie falcon, red-tailed hawk, American kestral, western kingbird and rattlesnake. The river segment includes a portion of a crucial deer wintering range that is occupied by hundreds of mule deer. The steep cliffs provide nesting habitat for a high concentration of raptors, such as golden eagles, prairie falcons and red-tailed hawks. In addition, bald eaglea are found on this river during the winter.

Cultural – Pre-Historic

Long before the arrival of pioneers and settlers, the Cayuse, Umatilla and Nez Perce Indians utilized the hunting and fishing grounds along the length of the Powder River. In this area are archaeological sites which contain important information about the use of local lowland areas during the prehistoric middle archaic period.

For more information contact:

Vale District Office 100 Oregon Street Vale, OR 97918 Phone: 541-473-3144 Fax: 541-473-6213 E-mail: BLM_OR_VL_Mail@blm.gov <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit" rel="nofollow">www.blm.gov/visit</a>