Coquille River
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The Coquille River is a river, 35 mi (56 km) long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains a mountainous area of approximately 1058 sq mi (2750 km²) of the Coastal Range into Pacific Ocean. Its watershed is located between that of the Coos River to the north and the Rogue River to the south. It runs about 100 mi (160 km) from its farthest headwaters on the South Fork to its mouth. The watershed of the river is a historically important timber-producing area in southwest Oregon.
It rises in several forks in the Coastal Range, formed at Myrtle Point by the confluence of its North and South Forks. The North Fork (42 mi/68 km long) rises in northern Coos County and flows southwest. The East Fork (30 mi/48 km long) rises in western Douglas County, approximately 15 mi (24 km) southwest of Roseburg, and flows generally west into Coos County, where it joins the North Fork.
The South Fork (64 mi/103 km long) rises in southern Coos County, north of the Wild Rogue Wilderness Area, and flows briefly southwest, then turns north. It receives the Middle Fork (40 mi/64 km long) then joins the North Fork from the south at Myrtle Point. The combined river flows in zigzag generally west, past Coquille. It enters the Pacific at Bandon, approximately 20 mi (32 km) north of Cape Blanco.
The Coquille River Lighthouse, commissioned in 1896 to guide mariners across the dangerous sand bar at the mouth of river. It was decommissioned in 1939 following improvements to the river channel. It is now part of Bullards Beach State Park.
See also
External links
- Oregon Coastal Atlas: Coquille River Estuary (http://www.coastalatlas.net/learn/settings/estuary/estuary.asp?es=15)