White River (Oregon)
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The White River is a tributary of the Deschutes River, approximately Template:Convert long, in north-central Oregon in the United States. It drains a scenic mountainous area of the Columbia Plateau on the east side of the Cascade Range southeast of Mount Hood. In the 1840s, a section of the Oregon Trail called the Barlow Road passed through the river corridor. This section of the road is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nwsrs">Template:Cite web</ref>
Geography
The White River originates in the high Cascades in eastern Hood River County, in the Mount Hood National Forest on the southeast flank of Mount Hood. The headwaters are just below White River Glacier in White River Canyon, the steep canyon between Timberline Lodge and Mount Hood Meadows ski areas. It flows southeast, under Oregon Route 35, another Template:Convert southeast then east for Template:Convert before turning east-northeast past Tygh Valley. It enters the Deschutes River from the west approximately Template:Convert southeast of The Dalles.
In its lower course near Tygh Valley in Wasco County, the river plunges over a Template:Convert basalt shelf in White River Falls State Park. The falls were used for hydroelectricity in the surrounding counties from 1910 until the completion of The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River in 1960.
Wild and Scenic
In 1988, Template:Convert of the river were designated Wild and Scenic by the United States Congress. Of this, Template:Convert of the river are designated "scenic" and Template:Convert are designated "recreational." In its resource assessment, the White River plan identified geology, hydrology, botany, habitat, historic resources, recreation, and scenery as being outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). To qualify as an ORV, each value must be a unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a regional or national level. The unique geological features include examples of recent volcanic activity, ghost forests, an active fumarole field, and glacial activity.<ref name="nwsrs"/>
The river has unique hydrological features, such as its color in late summer and early fall and its isolation from other rivers. During the late summer and early fall, glacial outflow from Mount Hood turns the river milky white due to suspended sediment concentrations. It is hydrologically isolated from other river systems, which provides an environment where unique species can evolve.<ref name="nwsrs"/>
Because of the diverse environments that the White River flows through, as well as its isolation from other rivers, there are a wide variety of life zones within its corridor. Many sensitive and unique plant species are found only in this area, including a genetically unique population of Columbia River redband trout.<ref name="nwsrs"/>
Recreation
The White River offers opportunities for a wide variety of recreational activities, including whitewater kayaking, Nordic skiing, photography, camping, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching.<ref name="nwsrs"/> The lower river is rated class III (intermediate), the upper river is III - IV (intermediate to advanced), and Celestial Gorge at flood is rated VI (extreme/exploratory).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Many fly fishermen who fish the lower Deschutes River watch the White River. On hot early summer days the glacial meltoff can cause the Deschutes to become unfishable.