The Willamette’s tributaries are essential to its overall health, from maintaining healthy river flows, to affecting the levels of pollution found in the mainstem. The tributaries vary significantly from one another, from the cold pure water of the McKenzie River born of springs in the Cascade Mountains, to the slow meander of the Luckiamute River flowing in just south of Salem. Maintaining the health of these rivers is essential, and provides an understanding of the “watershed” approach to river health and restoration that is needed today. Beyond that, tributaries are home to salmon. They may spend time migrating and living in portions of the mainstem, but they spawn and rear in the cool, clean waters of the tributaries.

As the map to the right indicates, the Willamette River has multiple tributaries, twelve of which are considered major tributaries. The following section is a work in progress that highlights information about these major tributaries. For more information click on the tributary name.

List of major Willamette River Tributaries: