Origin of New River

In 1890 a storm brought unusually heavy 

rain and wind. The outlet of Floras Lake, 

just south of here, became blocked 

by sand. Flood water flowed into a low 

channel just east of a low dune paralleling 

the beach, the “foredune.” So began a 

river heading north, following this low 

place until finally reaching the sea. A 

“New River” was born.

New River Today

New River is in constant change. High 

water causes the river to push further 

north until a low spot in the foredune 

allows it to reach the sea. Some years 

the river grows a few feet, some years a 

quarter mile. 

High river water combined with high 

tides may cause the river to breach the 

foredune and form a new river mouth. 

Sometimes when flood waters back up 

into nearby pastures, local farmers and 

the BLM create a breach to drain the 

land. The river may then flow backward!

European 

Beachgrass

When blowing 

sand hits plants, 

it falls to the 

ground. The 

mound of sand 

created 

becomes 

a dune if 

the process continues. Low dunes along 

the beach built from native plants are 

frequently destroyed by high winds or 

water. European beachgrass has such 

an extensive root system, and grows so 

vigorously, that its foredunes may be 30-

feet high. It was planted in the early 

to control blowing 1900s 

sand and is only 

one of 75 

non-native 

plants 

found 

in New 

River 

C. ACE

New River‛s Attractions and Riches

Here is one of the last remaining wild 

places on the Oregon coast. Active 

dunes still blow inland and become 

stabilized with native pines, salal 

and huckleberry. Forests on old 

dunes contain wetlands with 

sedges and skunk cabbage and 

hide lakes inhabited by the 

Northwestern Pond Turtle. 

Woods of towering 

waxmyrtles contrast 

with open sandy areas 

of ancient manzanitas. 

Meadows kept open 

by the BLM hold rare 

native plants. Lichens 

and mosses grow from the 

ground to the tops of the trees 

and ferns are everywhere. 

Look for these features while on the 

trails. Remember, tread lightly and lea

no trace.

Before New River 

Evidence of large Indian villages from 

8,000 years ago hides beneath the san

and forest. Archaeological digs show 

that recent ancestors of Siletz and 

Coquille Indians adapted to huge chang

in the area. This was a large estuary 

providing abundant seafood, but was 

destroyed by a 30-foot wall of water 

from a tsunami in 1700. 

It wasn‛t long before blowing sand 

blocked stream outlets to form lakes 

and marshes. Forests grew, harboring 

abundant elk and deer. Eventually 

blowing sand and 

fires claimed 

the forests. 

By the time 

New River 

formed, the 

area was all 

open dunes and 

wetlands.

 
 Eventually 

Origin of New River 

In 1890 a storm brought unusually heavy 

rain and wind. The outlet of Floras Lake, 

just south of here, became blocked 

by sand. Flood water flowed into a low 

channel just east of a low dune paralleling 

the beach, the “foredune.” So began a 

river heading north, following this low 

place until finally reaching the sea. A 

European 

mound 

cr

b

a d

When 

sand hi

it falls 

ground. 

Beachgrass

When blowing 

sand hits plants, 

it falls to the 

ground. The 

mound of sand 

a dune if 

of 

ea

ec

un

bl

ts 

to

Th

s

t

o

e 

Beachgras

o

p

 t

e

European 

and 

ed 

mes 

if 

s 

wing 

lants, 

he 

one of 75 

non-native 

plants 

found 

in New 

River 

ACEC. 

the process continues. Low dunes along 

the beach built from native plants are 

frequently destroyed by high winds or 

water. European beachgrass has such 

an extensive root system, and grows so 

vigorously, that its foredunes may be 30-

feet high. feet high. It was planted in the early 

to control blowing 

sand and is only 

found 

It 

1900s 

“New River” was born. 

New River Today 

New River is in constant change. High 

water causes the river to push further 

north until a low spot in the foredune 

allows it to reach the sea. Some years 

the river grows a few feet, some years a 

quarter mile. 

High river water combined with high 

tides may cause the river to breach the 

foredune and form a new river mouth. 

Sometimes when flood waters back up 

into nearby pastures, local farmers and 

the BLM create a breach to drain the 

land. The river may then flow backward! 

New River‛s Attractions and Riches
	

Look for these features while on the 

trails. Remember, tread lightly and leav

no trace. 

Before New River 

Evidence of large Indian villages from 

8,000 years ago hides beneath the sand 

and forest. Archaeological digs show 

that recent ancestors of Siletz and 

Coquille Indians adapted to huge change

in the area. This was a large estuary 

providing abundant seafood, but was 

destroyed by a 30-foot wall of water 

from a tsunami in 1700. 

It wasn‛t long before blowing sand 

blocked stream outlets to form lakes 

and marshes. Forests grew, harboring 

open dunes and 

sedges and skunk cabbage and 

Here is one of the last remaining wild abundant elk and deer. abundant elk and deer. 

blowing sand and 

open dunes and 

Eventually 

places on the Oregon coast. Active 

dunes still blow inland and become fires claimed 

stabilized with native pines, salal the forests. 

and huckleberry. Forests on old By the time dunes contain wetlands with 

New River 

formed, the hide lakes inhabited by the 

Northwestern Pond Turtle. area was all

Woods of towering wetlands. waxmyrtles contrast 

with open sandy areas 

of ancient manzanitas. 

Meadows kept open 

by the BLM hold rare 

native plants. Lichens 

and mosses grow from the 

ground to the tops of the trees 

and ferns are everywhere. 
Welcome to New River
Welcome to New River