Chetco River - Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

The Chetco River watershed is covered primarily by coniferous forest, which includes species such as Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, White Fir, Port Orford Cedar, Incense Cedar, and Sitka Spruce. Jeffrey Pine, Knobcone Pine, and Golden Chinquapin have also been identified. Hardwoods including Tanoak, Bigleaf Maple, Red Alder, and Madrone are common. Manzanita, Hazelnut, Vine Maple, Skunk Cabbage, and multiple species of berries and grasses make up the understory. Kalmiopsis, a flowering evergreen shrub and the namesake of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, only grows in the Siskiyou Mountains. Several noxious weeds have also been identified, including gorse, Scotch Broom, Blackberries, and thistles.

The most prevalent species of the extreme southern portion of the watershed is the Coastal Redwood, one of the tallest types of trees on Earth. The world's northernmost Redwood grove is located near the south bank of the Chetco at RM 15 (RK 24), about 8 miles (13 km) north of the California border. Trees here are around 300 to 800 years old, 5 to 13 feet (2 to 4 m) in diameter, and some exceed 300 feet (90 m) tall. The Redwoods were heavily logged in the early 20th century. Prior to logging, the massive trees created their own microclimate by capturing moisture from fog, and also by the immense amount of shade they produced. The Redwoods region is less mountainous than the rest of the watershed, and meandering streams are much more common.

Over 200 species of animals inhabit the river and its tributaries. Birds such as loons, grebes, ducks, kingfishers, and Bald Eagles are known to live around streams and other regions of the watershed. Auks, gulls, and terns have been spotted around the river's mouth, and Black-legged Kittiwakes nest in the area during the winter. The wildlife in the Kalmiopsis region of the Chetco watershed is more diverse than that of any other region in Oregon. Mammals such as Black Bears, Black-tailed Deer, Bobcats, Ring-tailed Cats, and Gray Foxes are common inhabitants of this region. The rare Siskiyou Chipmunk is endemic to the Klamath Mountains. Steelhead, Chinook and Coho salmon are the most common anadromous fish that inhabit the Chetco River. Steelhead are abundant and have been spotted in most major and minor streams. Chinook salmon usually travel as far as Boulder Creek, about halfway between the Chetco's headwaters and its mouth. Coho also generally stay in this area, but some have been found in the Granite and Carter Creek area, about 12 miles (19 km) above Boulder Creek. Cutthroat Trout can be found all around the watershed; some migrate to the ocean, while others live in the river and its tributaries year round. Pacific Lamprey, Three-spined Stickleback, and various sculpins have also been observed.