The Rogue River was among the nation’s original Wild and Scenic Rivers designated in 1968. Recreational opportunities abound from the Lost Creek Reservoir to the Pacific Ocean. Above the reservoir the North Fork along with other tributaries have been harnessed for hydropower. American Whitewater has successfully advocated for flows to provide whitewater boating opportunities on the North Fork. Several fun day trips are available downstream of Lost Creek Reservoir which now flows freely with the removal of 3 dams: Gold Ray, Gold Hill, and Savage Rapids. Now that all of these dams are gone, fish passage has been enhanced while safety and navigation have been improved. Downstream of Grants Pass the river enters a remote wild country as it carves through the Coast Range, and the Wild and Scenic section from Grave Creek to Foster Bar is known as one of the finest multi-day river trips in the country. A limited number of permits are distributed for this section. Protecting the special scenic qualities of this resource remains a priority for American Whitewater. From Foster Bar to the Pacific Ocean the river is best known as a place for jet boating and fishing with convenient roadside access for day trips.
Protection du Rogue sauvage et pittoresque
The Rogue was one of the original eight rivers included in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. The 84 mile Wild and Scenic section begins 7 miles west of Grants Pass and ends 11 miles upstream of Gold Beach where the river joins the Pacific Ocean. On its journey through the the Coast Range, the Rogue flows through one of the most spectacular and biologically unique wilderness areas in the United States. Those who secure a permit are able to enjoy one of the best whitewater runs in the country with world-class fishing opportunities on trips that are typically 3-5 days in length. Only part of this section is protected as wilderness. Large areas within the valley of the river that are currently roadless backcountry are open to logging, mining, and road building. Now is the time to protect these backcountry landscapes that define the wilderness experience of the Rogue River. We served in a leadership capacity with a coalition of groups to designate a number of Rogue River tributaries as Wild and Scenic in 2019 (Public Law 116-9). We are continuing our efforts to protecting the surrounding landscape and forests along the Rogue River as wilderness and designated recreation areas through the Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act.
Suppression du barrage
Three mainstem dams on the Rogue River between Lost Creek Reservoir and Grants Pass along with the partially completed dam on Elk Creek impacted the flow of the Rogue River. Although this section of the Rogue is less known to boaters outside the region as the world-famous Wild and Scenic section downstream, it is an important resource for the local community and removal of the dams has improved fish passage and navigability greatly enhancing the quality of this river as a recreational resource.
En descendant le cours d'eau, le premier barrage était le barrage de Gold Ray. Construit initialement pour la production d'hydroélectricité, ce barrage a cessé en 1972, le projet ayant été jugé non rentable. Comme indiqué dans un éditorial du Medford Mail Tribune du 20 juillet 2007 : La rivière Rogue est un joyau parmi nous. Supprimer un barrage qui ne sert à rien semble une évidence pour faire resplendir encore davantage ce joyau. Le barrage a été démoli durant l'été 2010.
Le barrage suivant en aval était le barrage de Gold Hill, un ouvrage de dérivation d'eau municipal qui a été démantelé durant l'été 2008. La ville avait achevé la construction d'une nouvelle installation de prise d'eau en amont du barrage en mai 2006, rendant ainsi l'ancien barrage de dérivation superflu.
Le principal obstacle à la migration des poissons était le barrage de Savage Rapids, géré par le district d'irrigation de Grants Pass. En juillet 2001, les parties ont conclu un accord suspendant les poursuites judiciaires et se concentrant sur un projet de démolition du barrage et d'installation de pompes qui fournissent désormais au district l'eau nécessaire. Le contrat de démolition a été signé en août 2006 et les travaux de construction de la nouvelle station de pompage ont rapidement débuté. Le barrage a été démoli à l'automne 2009, rétablissant ainsi le libre cours de la rivière Rogue à cet endroit pour la première fois depuis des décennies.
In addition to these dams on the mainstem Rogue, Elk Creek Dam was partially constructed on this major tributary of the Rogue River. Construction on this Army Corps of Engineers flood control dam began in 1986. Construction stopped in 1988 with approximately 1/3 of the dam completed. The decision to discontinue work on this dam was the result of litigation and additional studies that demonstrated the dam did not make economic sense and would have significant impacts on salmon. For years salmon were trucked around the dam site but the dam was notched in 2008 providing unhindered fish passage and opening the river to navigation through the dam site.
Autres issues
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Gestion de la rivière : D’autres problèmes surgissent régulièrement sur cette rivière. Les gestionnaires ont envisagé la mise en place d’un système de réservation d’emplacements de camping. Ils privilégient toutefois une approche alternative, en fournissant aux pagayeurs des informations plus précises et complètes sur la taille des emplacements, afin d’inciter les groupes à choisir un emplacement adapté à la taille de leur groupe.
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Navigabilité : L'État a déterminé la navigabilité de la rivière Rogue et a conclu, sans surprise, qu'elle est navigable de l'océan au réservoir de Lost Creek.
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Jet Boat Use: The lower reaches of the Wild and Scenic section see jet boat use with more concentrated activity downstream of Foster Bar.