Willamette River
The Willamette River that runs through Eugene Oregon is the
thirteenth largest river by volume in the United States and is actually a tributary of the Columbia River. It is easy to imagine that it is the thirteenth largest river beings that it drains a valley that averages 40 to 50 inches of rain a year. The Willamette River starts its 187 mile journey at the southern end of the Willamette Valley south of Eugene . It meanders northward with many tributaries from the fabulous snowcapped Cascades to the east and the rain drenched Coastal Range to the west joining the river as it makes his journey northward through the Willamette Valley. It is joined by the beautiful McKenzie River on the north side of Eugene.
As it flows northward through the Willamette Valley it passes 68% of Oregon's population including Eugene, Springfield, Salem, and Portland in this lush valley with its prolific rainfall from the Coastal Range and snow melt from the Cascade Mountains creating one of the most fertile agricultural regions in North America. It joins the wild Columbia River at Portland where riverboats once navigated the Willamette River into the first decades of the twentieth century.
The river starts with the North Fork of the Middle Fork on the western side of the Cascade Mountains converging just northwest of Oakridge with the Coast Fork joining just southeast of Eugene. This helps create one of the Most Beautiful Cities in the northwest with the convergence of the two forks of the Willamette River on the southern edge of Eugene and Springfield. It then flows through the southwestern side of Springfield into Eugene near the University of Oregon on the south side and passes the massive Alton Baker Park which is on the north side. As the Willamette river meanders northwest it then flows past the Skinner Butte Park which is also on the south side of the river, and turning northward again the river passes the East Bank Park and the West Bank Park.
The Willamette River also divides different areas of Eugene as it flows northward. The Ferry Street Bridge area is bordered by the river on the south, and on the west it separates the Ferry Street Bridge area from the River Road area and a little further north it separates the North Gilham area from the Santa Clara area. The Hayden Bridge area of Springfield and North Gilham's northern boundary is the Beautiful McKenzie River which joins the Willamette River at the northern edge between North Gilham and Santa Clara as it then flows northward out of Eugene.
With this being such a lush valley there are many tributaries
that flow into the Willamette River including the McKenzie River at Eugene, the Long Tom River south of Corvallis, Mary's River at Corvallis and many more as it meanders northward including countless unnamed streams and creeks along the way.
If you haven't been to this fabulous area you should schedule a trip as soon as possible. If you plan on moving to this area be sure to call Dennis Pease at (541) 844-9287. We have the agents standing by to help with all your real estate needs.
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