Wenaha River

The Wenaha River is a tributary of the Grande Ronde River, about 21.6 miles (34.8 km) long, in Wallowa County, northeastern Oregon. The river begins at the confluence of its north and south forks in the Blue Mountains and flows east through the Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness to meet the larger river at the small settlement of Troy.

The Wenaha and its tributaries form an extensive network of steep canyons sliced into volcanic rock layers of the Columbia River basalts, which covered the region during massive eruptions millions of years ago. A designated Wild and Scenic River for its entire length, the Wenaha basin is one of only a few Oregon watersheds with no dams or diversions. The river basin is mostly roadless, and is considered one of the most intact big game habitats in Oregon. Elk hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and salmon and trout fishing are popular recreational activities along the river.

Once used by four Native American tribes for hunting, fishing and trade, the Wenaha River basin was surrendered by the Nez Perce to the US government in the 1860s. The few settlers that subsequently came to this rugged, inaccessible region used it primarily for livestock grazing, causing severe damage to the local grasslands and soils. Most of the Wenaha River basin has been managed by the U.S. Forest Service since 1905 as part of the Wenaha, now the Umatilla National Forest, and as a wilderness area since 1978.