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Middle Santiam River

The Middle Santiam is the only one of the three forks of the Santiam that is not paralleled by a Scenic Byway. You can drive Forest Service roads to get close to one small section of the Middle Santiam, but if you want to visit the River itself, you will have to hike. If you do, you will be rewarded with a beautiful, wild stream flowing through new and old forests and past the Middle Santiam Wilderness.

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The crystal clear water of the Middle Santiam runs through rapids, over falls and into deep pools.

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Photo by George Wuerthner

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The Middle Santiam has been included in Senator Wyden’s River Democracy Act of 2021, co-sponsored by Senator Merkley, and designating the Middle Santiam as a Wild and Scenic River. You can review reasons for the inclusion of the Middle Santiam here. You can find information on how to support the nomination here.

Photo credits: Milo Mecham except as noted.

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