America's Most Endangered Rivers - (Page 22) NUMBER 2 ORE G O N Rogue River THR E AT : LOGGIN G A N D R O A D C O N S T R U C T I O N Summary The Rogue River is one of the most renowned rivers in the country, famous for its exceptional scenery, biodiversity, world-class fishing, and thrilling whitewater boating. One of the eight original rivers protected in the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968, the Rogue supports a thriving recreation economy and draws thousands of anglers, boaters and hikers each year. But proposals to clearcut oldgrowth forest along key streams that feed the Rogue threaten to choke the river with sediment and destroy the river’s wild character. Unless Congress kills these destructive logging plans and permanently protects Rogue River tributaries, the amazing and unique wonders of the wild Rogue will be lost to future generations. The River Originating from high mountain springs in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon, the Rogue River — one of the wildest and most stunning rivers in North America — flows 200 miles to the Pacific Ocean. The Rogue boasts a diversity of plants and wildlife unmatched anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. The river is also Oregon’s largest producer of Pacific salmon outside of the Columbia River, with nearly 100,000 salmon and steelhead returning each year. Tributary streams that feed the lower Rogue are critically important spawning and rearing habitat for winter and summer steelhead and coho salmon. These fish are the backbone of a sport and commercial fishing economy worth millions annually. The national Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a “national park system” for rivers, has protected 84 miles of the lower Rogue since 1968. The lower Rogue is revered for whitewater rafting and it is a destination for visitors to the historic wilderness cabin left behind by famed adventure author Zane Grey. This stretch of river supports a strong tourism and recreational boating industry, generating more than ROGUE RIVER AT-A-GLANCE RIVER LENGTH: 200 miles WATERSHED AREA: 5,169 square miles LARGEST CITY IN THE WATERSHED: Medford, OR (pop. 75,675) DID YOU KNOW? The Rogue River is one of the eight original rivers protected in the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System. A M E R I C A’ S M O S T E N DA N G E R E D R I V E R S ™ : 2008 EDITION | ROGUE RIVER W W W. A M E R I C A N R I V E R S . O R G SCOTT HARDING/WWW.SCOTTHARDINGPHOTO.COM http://www.americanrivers.org
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