Boulder Drop Photo courtesy Josh Kling, Western Rivers Conservancy

Originating from glaciers on the western slopes of Mt. Hood, the Sandy River travels 56 miles before flowing into the Columbia River near the city of Troutdale. The Basin's major tributaries, the Zigzag, Salmon, Bull Run, and Little Sandy rivers, drain 508 square miles of land. With nearly 25 river miles designated as a National Wild and Scenic River and 12 miles designated as an Oregon Scenic Waterway, the Sandy is truly a regional gem.

The Sandy River Basin is located adjacent to the Cascade mountain range in northwestern Oregon, just east of the Portland metropolitan area. Lush coniferous forest covers more than 80 percent of the Basin. One of the Basin's main tributaries, the Bull Run River, provides drinking water to nearly 800,000 residents in the Portland area. Various fish species, including members of the salmon family, make their home in the Basin, as do many species of wildlife and migratory birds. People are drawn to the Sandy River Basin for a variety of recreational pursuits including fishing, hiking, boating, and skiing.

Watch a clip from the video "Sandy River Legacies." QuickTime | Windows Media

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