West Little Owyhee River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Little Owyhee River |
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The West Little Owyhee River
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A partial map of the West Little Owyhee River
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 Location of the mouth of West Little Owyhee River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Malheur |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near McDermitt 6,508 ft (1,984 m) 42°06′30″N 117°35′03″W / 42.10833°N 117.58417°W |
| River mouth | Owyhee River Oregon 4,373 ft (1,333 m) 42°27′10″N 117°12′34″W / 42.45278°N 117.20944°W |
| Length | 63 mi (101 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 310 sq mi (800 km2) |
| Type: | Wild |
| Designated: | October 28, 1988 |
West Little Owyhee River is a 63.1-mile-long (101.5 km) tributary of the Owyhee River in the U.S. state of Oregon. The source of the river is at an elevation of 6,508 feet (1,984 m) near McDermitt, while the mouth is at an elevation of 4,373 feet (1,333 m) in the Owyhee Desert. West Little Owyhee River has a 310-square-mile (800 km2) watershed.
The river begins east of McDermitt and flows east by Deer Flat and into Louse Canyon. Near Twin Buttes, it turns sharply north, still in Louse Canyon, which it follows through the Owyhee Desert all the way to the Owyhee River in Owyhee Canyon. The entire river is protected as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Overseen by the Bureau of Land Management, the river offers fishing for smallmouth bass and trout, and the canyon area is scenic. Dispersed camping is allowed, although the watershed has no developed parks or campsites. Other forms of recreation include hiking, backpacking, hunting, picnicking, and biking.
Named tributaries from source to mouth are Lake Fork West Owyhee River, Jack Creek, Little Spring Creek, and Toppin Creek, which all enter from the right had side bank. Further downstream, Cave Creek enters from the left.
