charging more water than the main Umatilla River at their confluence. 

 The water temperature was 52°F« The stream was very turbid at the 

 time of inspection, and it yras difficult to estimate the suitable 

 spawning areas. However, it flows through the same type of land 

 as the main Umatilla River and shoiild be comparable to the excellent 

 spawning areas in that stream. It is the largest and most important 

 tributary of the Umatilla. The Reclamation Service has investigated 

 sites for a storage dam on the Umatilla above and below the confluence 

 with this stream. There are no dams, diversions, or sources of 

 pollution on Meacham Creek, Its present values for anadromous fish 

 are nullified by the critical water use problem in the lower main 

 Umatilla River. 



UF, North Fork , — (May 25, 19UU; Nielson, ) Joins the south fork 

 to form the main Umatilla River abon.t 119 miles above the mouth. It 

 is about 8 miles long, has an average width of about 30 feet near the 

 mouth, and at the time of inspection was contributing about 50 percent 

 of the flow of the main river at the point of entry (75 c,f«s). The 

 water temperature was U7°F, This stream has a rather steep gradient, 

 and suitable spawning areas are limited. There are no dams, diversions, 

 or sources of pollution. The north fork is of some possible value to 

 steelhead trout* 



UG, South Fork . — (May 25, 19hki Neilson,) Joins the north fork 

 to form the main Umatilla River about 119 miles above the mouth. It 

 is about 11 miles long, averages about 30 feet in width in the lower 

 U-mile section, aind at the time of inspection was contributing about 

 50 percent of the flow in the main river. Unlike the north fork, this 

 stream has a moderate gradient, suitable spawning areas are more extensive, 

 and conditions generally are better for anadromous fish. The water 

 temperature was U7°F, The gradient increases about 5 luiles above the 

 mouth and the stream divides into several small tributaries. There are 

 no dams, diversions, or sources of pollution. The present value of the 

 south fork to anadromous fish is greatly impaired by the critical water 

 use problan in the lower main Umatilla River* 



1;G,-(1), Thomas Creek . — (May 25, 19Uij Nielson.) Enters the 

 south fork 32 miles above the mouth, and has a total length of about 

 6 miles. At the time of inspection this stream was discharging about 

 30 c.f.s. The water temperature was U7°F, The gradient is steep, and 

 suitable spawning areas are scattered and of small size. Much of the 

 stream bed is composed of boulders and large rubble. There are no dams, 

 diversions, or soxorces of pollution. Because of its size and limited 

 spawning and rearing areas, this stream is only of minor potential value 

 to anadromous fish. 



29 



