CONFLUENCE-Little River-North Umpqua River - River Origins, Destinations and Confluences on Waymarking.com

There is a nice park with interpretive displays here where these two rivers collide. There is also a Ranger Station across the street, so there is plenty to stop and investigate at this location!

The North Umpqua River is the larger of the two rivers here, and it is joined by the Little River. The coordinates are from the east bank of the Little River, which is the location of the interpretive signs.

Below is the text from the sign:
Marker Name: Colliding Rivers
Marker Text: Under flood conditions, the Little River and the North Umpqua River join in a violent head-on collision. During lower summertime flows, the rivers join in a common pool with only a small “collision”.
At this location, this sign would have been under five feet of water when the flood of 1964 crested after a low elevation snow fall was followed by a warm, heavy rain. During the flood of 1955 the North Umpqua River pushed back the Little River approximately 100 yards.
Why the Rivers Collide
As you see before you, these rivers virtually flow towards one another. This phenomenon is created by resistant sills of basalt that deflect Little River (south) and the North Umpqua River (north) and force the two rivers into a collision course. The combined force of the two rivers have broken through the basalt sill and the joined rivers head west eventually flow into the Pacific Ocean at Reedsport.
Once Under an Ancient Sea
This site was beneath the Pacific Ocean for millions of years. Sea bed deposits consisting of shale, seashell, coal, conglomerate and silica have eroded by the action of the colliding rivers.

Parking Coordinates: N 43° 17.861 W 123° 06.063 Trailhead Coordinates: None (it's just a few feet from the parking) Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log User Rating   05/06/2023 TrekkingTurtles visited it 01/23/2022 akerdoc visited it 02/17/2013 Queens Blessing visited it 02/17/2013 ornith visited it 07/29/2010 Laval K-9 visited it

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