WATERFALLS

Southern Oregon Guide

waterfall

DOUGLAS COUNTY
Roseburg, Umpqua River Area
Hwy 138, Hwy 230, Details

JACKSON COUNTY
Prospect, Hwy 62, heading south
to Medford & Ashland, Details

JOSEPHINE COUNTY
Lower Rogue River and Siskiyou
National Forest to Kerby, Details

KLAMATH COUNTY
Lemolo Lake & Crater Lake
south to Klamath Falls, Details

COOS COUNTY
Powers area, Coquille River
inland from Coos Bay, Details

Area & Summary Details Below

OREGON WATERFALL SUMMARY
Like the northern extent of the Oregon Cascades, the southern half has even less rugged of a profile when compared to the Washington end of the Cascade Mountains, but still has an equitable density of waterfalls throughout. The Southern Oregon Cascades region consists of land from the Row River basin south to the California border, and west from the Interstate 5 corridor to the Deschutes River and Highway 97.

Douglas County - Along Hwy 138 has the most waterfalls in southern Oregon.

Jackson County - The majority of waterfalls in Jackson County are around Union Creek and Prospect areas. As you travel south the waterfalls start diminishing in quantity and size. There is less snow and rainfall in Medford/Ashland area verses the Roseburg areas.

Josephine County - The Majority of falls are on Lower Rogue River and Siskiyou Forest areas. Same approx. snow & rainfall as Medford area.

Coos County - You must travel inland north from the coast. Many are very hard to reach. The southern coast region does not have waterfalls.

Undoubtedly the primary geologic feature of the southern cascades is Crater Lake, the massive remnant of the explosive history of Mount Mazama, once Oregon's tallest mountain. Radiating out from the Mazama volcanic group is evidence of widespread volcanism that has produced some of the largest, most scenic and most impressive waterfalls in southern Oregon. But not only has this violent past resulted in the base geology to produce waterfalls, but the porous bedrock has allowed hundreds of springs and aquafirs to burst forth from the ground, ensuring even flow in many of the region's largest rivers for most of the year. Some of these springs even gush out of the ground forming waterfalls immediately as they emerge. Fortunately this landscape is sufficiently isolated from major cities such that the majority of the region is undeveloped (logging aside) despite the fact that only a fraction of the land is actually federally protected.
 
Waterfalls develop when down cutting streams breach through a resistant bedrock layer into the softer material beneath. The height of the waterfall is dependent upon the thickness of the resistant bedrock layer through which of the stream erodes.
 
Waterfalls can change. Energy from the plummeting water creates a plunge pool at the base of the waterfalls, eroding a cavity in the softer underlying rock this process undermines the resistant layer, causing it to break apart, piece by piece, along the cracks and fissures. Through this process, waterfalls gradually migrate upstream. Over the course of thousands of years, this movement can be a few feet to hundreds of feet.

Waterfall environment tips:
1. Stay on the trail to protect fragile vegetation.
2. Pack it in, pack it out- Leave nothing behind.
3. Be sure your matches/cigarettes are completely put out a bear rock or in mineral soil and dispose of property.
4. Wash with biodegradable soap, away from open water..
 
Southern Oregon waterfalls, north Umpqua scenic highway 138 Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon waterfalls and coast, waterfalls by Roseburg Glide and Idleyld Park in Douglas County to Crater Lake and includes, Toketee falls, deadline falls, susan creek falls, Watson falls, fall creek falls, Whitehorse falls, Clearwater falls, Lemolo falls, steamboat falls, shadow falls, Wolf Creek falls, grotto falls, southeast Oregon, coast, cathedral falls, Yakso falls, Hemlock falls, Campbell falls, south Umpqua falls, deer lick falls, Brice creek, trestle creek falls, parker falls, spirit falls and moon falls then Hwy 230 Muir Falls, Ruth Falls, Rough Rider Falls, Muir Falls, Alkali Falls, Highway Falls, National Creek Falls, waterfall places to see visit.
 
 
 
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