{"id":16756,"date":"2018-07-04T08:00:47","date_gmt":"2018-07-04T15:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=16756"},"modified":"2019-04-01T16:17:44","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T23:17:44","slug":"success-on-the-north-umpqua-river-wrc-and-swiftwater-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2018\/07\/04\/success-on-the-north-umpqua-river-wrc-and-swiftwater-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Success on the North Umpqua River: WRC and Swiftwater Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

Weaving a cold, emerald thread through the west-slope forests of Oregon\u2019s Cascade Mountains, the North Umpqua is a river of tremendous importance. It\u2019s a stronghold for salmon and steelhead, the whitewater is excellent, public access is outstanding, and the fly fishing is renowned. Our friends at Western Rivers Conservancy<\/a> recently protected a critical reach of the Wild and Scenic River corridor at the start of the 79-mile North Umpqua Trail at the head of the flywater.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Andrew Kumler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Swiftwater Park was a county park that protected a mile of Oregon\u2019s Wild and Scenic North Umpqua River, including a beautiful stand of old-growth forest and prime salmon habitat. In 2013, when the county fell on hard times and had to sell the park, its future became uncertain. Would it go to a timber company? Would it be parceled up and developed? Would the Swiftwater Trailhead be closed for good? WRC had a better idea.<\/p>\n

When Swiftwater Park on the North Umpqua River went up for sale, WRC acted quickly to conserve this important stretch of the river. Their goals: conserve the river\u2019s salmon and steelhead habitat, keep the forests standing and make sure people could always get to this remarkable spot on the North Umpqua River.<\/p>\n