South Fork gets its water from the Clackamas River. The Clackamas watershed begins on the slopes of Olallie Butte, a high cascade volcano. From there the river flows 82.7 miles from its headwaters to its confluence with the Willamette River.
The Clackamas River watershed drains more than 940 square miles. More than half of the watershed’s length runs through forested areas. The lower reaches flow through agricultural and densely populated areas. About 72% of the watershed is publicly owned, 3% is tribally owned, and 25% is privately owned.
The Clackamas River watershed can roughly be divided in half, with nearly all of the upper watershed in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Most of the lower watershed is privately owned. The area between the national forest and the lower watershed includes parcels of land owned by private timber companies and the Bureau of Land Management.
The Clackamas River is a drinking water source for over 200,000 people in Clackamas County and has been identified in the Regional Water Supply Plan as a source to meet future demand.
The watershed also supports:
- Naturally spawning anadromous fish including steelhead, chinook, and coho salmon
- Important habitat for many wildlife species
- Recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and camping
- Hydroelectric dams operated by Portland General Electric
Key concerns in the Clackamas Basin include:
- Water quality
- Land use (agricultural, timber harvesting, and urban uses)
- Urban growth and its water quality impacts
- Water supply
Goals for the Clackamas River
- Maintain and enhance water quality
- Maintain and improve habitat for native fish and wildlife
- Maintain sufficient flows to support instream beneficial uses
- Protect and enhance natural areas associated with river and stream habitat
