The McKenzie River is a tributary of the Willamette River, 86 miles (138 km) long, in western Oregon in the United States. It drains part of the Cascade Range east of Eugene into the southernmost end of the Willamette Valley. It rises in two short forks in the high Cascades in eastern Lane County in the Willamette National Forest. The South Fork rises near the Pacific Crest Trail in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area and flows north-northwest approximately 30 miles (50 km) through Cougar Reservoir and Cougar Dam. The main branch rises in the northeast corner of Lane County, near the Three Sisters and flows west past McKenzie Bridge for approximately 25 miles (40 km) to where it receives the South Fork approximately three miles (5 km) east of Blue River. It flows west through a narrow valley in the mountains, past Vida and Walterville. As it emerges from the mountains it passes along the north side of Springfield and joins the Willamette from the east five miles (8 km) north of Eugene. The McKenzie is the sole source of drinking water for Eugene.[1] The McKenzie River is also home of the McKenzie River Drift Boat. This flat-bottomed boat with a high bow is used throughout the world for fishing in fast moving rivers.
