John Day River
John Day River at Clarno
Template: Infobox River / Obsolete
Template: Infobox River / Obsolete
North Fork John Day River in derNorth Fork John Day Wilderness
Template: Infobox River / Obsolete
South Fork John Day River in Dayville
Template: Infobox River / Obsolete
Along the course of the River John Day River exist yet no dams. He is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the United States.
Its water is used largely for irrigation of the surrounding countryside. Its natural course of the river is home to many animal species, including steelhead trout.
The river takes its name from John Day, a participant of the Astor expedition, which set out in 1810 by St. Louis, Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia River.
Catchment area
By means of its tributaries drains the John Day River, the west side of the Blue Mountains. It flows in a zigzag course in a northwesterly direction through a sparsely populated part of Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains. He finally opens above the Columbia River Gorge and above the John Day Dam in the Columbia River. Its headwaters performs exceptionally delightful gorges with several major paleontological localities along its shore.
The main arm of the John Day River originates in the Strawberry Mountains in eastern Grant County.
The North Fork John Day River flows along the western slopes of the Elkhorn Mountains in the northeast of Grant County.
The South Fork John Day River has its source in the northern Harney County, about 16 km south of the border to the Grant County.
The main, southern and central arm of the John Day River River system come from different parts of the Malheur National Forest, while the north arm flows out of the Wallowa - Whitman National Forest.
The main arm flows first north, then west through the John Day Valley and through the towns of Prairie City, John Day, and Mount Vernon.
In Dayville, in the west of Grant County, joins the South Fork of the John Day River. Subsequently, the flow in a northerly direction through the Picture Gorge and the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument flows.
In Kimberley in northwest Grant County meets the North Fork from the east on the John Day River. The North Fork flows to the east of the Middle Fork to.
The John Day River is continuing its course to the west. It flows through the Wheeler County and turns to the Countygrenze to Jefferson County to the north. He passed the Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Its lower reaches are characterized by meanders. It forms the boundary between Sherman County to the west and Gilliam County to the east.
The John Day River reaches the Columbia River from the southeast coming, about 25 km northeast of Biggs Junction. The estuary is located at the narrow Lake Umatilla Reservoir,. Carried impoundment of the Columbia River through John Day Dam, approximately 3 km effluent is formed
Recreational use and ecosystem
The John Day River is navigable by rafts and other small watercraft. At its lower reaches water is taken for irrigation of wheat fields and cattle ranches.
1988, a 236 km stretch of the river from Service Creek to Tumwater Falls as John Day Wild and Scenic River in the National Wild and Scenic River program was recorded.
This section of the river is a popular place for fishing of migratory steelhead and various perches. White water rafting is another leisure activity on this route.
North Fork John Day River and South Fork John Day River are also excellent as a National Wild and Scenic Rivers.