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"The
main stem of the McKenzie River originates in the northeast portion of the
watershed
at Clear Lake, which lies at an elevation
of 3000 feet just outside the northwest corner of the Mount Washington Wilderness Area.
From Clear Lake, the river flows southward for 15 miles to Belknap Springs and
then turns sharply westward for 75 miles before emptying into the Willamette
River just south of the community of Coburg.
Several principal tributaries drain into the McKenzie River. Lost Creek,
Horse Creek, South Fork McKenzie River and Quartz Creek join the McKenzie
River from
the south. Of these, all except Quartz Creek
originate in the High
Cascades with Lost and Horse Creek being fed from glaciers on the west flank of
the Three Sisters mountains. Smith River, Blue River, Gate Creek, Camp
Creek and the Mohawk River are the principal tributaries joining from the
north. In all, there are about 1,780 stream miles, of which approximately 1,040
miles flow year round (Water Resources Department, 1991)."
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