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The Wallowa River begins at the confluence of its east and west forks and flows generally northwest through the Wallowa Valley in Northeastern Oregon. From the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa Rivers at Minam, Oregon, to its confluence with the Grande Ronde River, the Wallowa is the gateway to the Wild and Scenic Grande Ronde River. Approximately 10 miles in length, the river is classified as recreational. It offers incredible fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and floatboating, as well as a state park for camping.

On July 25, 1996 the Wallowa became the 160th—and Oregon's 46th—river to be designated as wild and scenic. The Wallowa joined Joseph Creek and the Minam, Lostine, Wenaha and the Grande Ronde Rivers as designated wild and scenic rivers within the Grande Ronde Basin.

The Wallowa was protected through Section 2(a)(ii) of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, by which the Secretary can designate a river wild and scenic at the request of a governor, provided the river: 1) already has state protection; 2) has resources important to the nation; and 3) can be managed by the state to protect those resources. Under Section 2(a)(ii) designation, the Wallowa River remains in local and state management. This provision of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act specifically precludes federal acquisition or management, except for those lands already in the public domain, though land exchanges by federal agencies and purchases under other land management plans are allowed. The Bureau of Land Management administers a significant portion of the river corridor.

Designated Reach:

July 23, 1996. The segment of the Wallowa River from the confluence of the Wallowa and Minam Rivers in the hamlet of Minam downstream to the confluence of the Wallowa and the Grande Ronde Rivers.

Classification/Mileage:

Recreational — 10.0 miles; Total — 10.0 miles.

Scenic

The Grande Ronde River and Wallowa River corridors feature an unusual diversity of landforms and vegetation that progress from largely forested vistas to forested stringers – patches of residual pre-fire forest, separated by native bunchgrass slopes. River users see a largely untouched viewshed in the upper river reach, while the lower portion flows through open, grass covered hills with forested pockets and tributary canyons.

Recreation

There are many recreational opportunities on the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers. Those judged to be exceptional in quality include anadromous and resident fishing, floating (rafting, canoeing and kayaking for overnight use), camping and big game viewing and hunting. Visitors are able to enjoy an unusually long float season for a free-flowing river, from ice breakup in the spring to freeze up in the fall. Trips offer a rare multiple day float for those with beginner and intermediate skills.

The primary launch site for the Wallowa and Grande Ronde rivers, as well as the Bureau of Land Management's River Station, is located on state lands at Minam on the Wallowa River. Additional access points include Mud Creek, Troy and Boggan's Oasis. Primitive campsites along the river are on a first-come, first-served basis. Many portions of the river are roadless and primitive with limited access by vehicles.

Fisheries

The Wallowa River is a nationally renowned sport fishery. The river provides habitat for spring and fall chinook, summer steelhead and rainbow trout. Fishing is excellent even late in the season after the water levels have receded.

Wildlife

The area hosts an exceptional diversity of species, in part because the river corridor provides critical wintering habitat for bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer and whitetail deer. Others contributing to the impressive viewing opportunities include black bears, cougars and mountain goats. The river corridor also serves as a sensitive wintering area for bald eagles.

For more information contact:

Vale District Office 100 Oregon Street Vale, OR 97918 Phone: 541-473-3144 Fax: 541-473-6213 E-mail: BLM_OR_VL_Mail@blm.gov <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit" rel="nofollow">www.blm.gov/visit</a>