Santiam River in Autumn

Description

Santiam River in Autumn

Oregon’s North Santiam River at the height of fall color

My favorite soccer player, Niagara Park, North Santiam River

Oregon is blessed with beautiful waters. Rivers are the lifelines of our amazing state. I’ve found that most long-term Oregonians have an emotional attachment to or even a relationship with at least one of Oregon’s amazing rivers. One of the Oregon Rivers with which I have a relationship is the North Santiam River.   With headwaters on the west side of Santiam Pass, the North Santiam River is an unavoidable roadside bonus for drives between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon. I’ve had a plethora of journeys along the Santiam’s banks. Some for work, some for pleasure, some adventure and many for….soccer.  As a soccer dad I’ve made countless trips with my daughter Emma and her teammates over Santiam Pass to  the Willamette Valley cities of Eugene, Salem and Portland.  The Santiam River was the perfect roadside companion, taking a wooded, winding road and making it an elegant watery tour.  One of my favorite soccer stopping spots along the North Santiam is the location of this gorgeous new fine art landscape photograph.

I’ve loved watching the seasonal evolution of this special location, know as Niagara Park. The North Santiam River narrows to 4 feet wide in a natural slot canyon at the location of this park. In the 1890’s, an attempt was made to create a hydroelectric dam at this narrowing in hopes of making paper from straw.  The town of Niagara once had a hotel, store, saloon, homes and a post office.  the project was eventually defeated by mother nature but remnants remain.

Regardless of history, the scene is elegant.  A natural S-curve of the river, festooned with seasonal arboreal textures and intriguing flow patterns make for a restful place to stretch ones legs during the journey between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon.

The elegant textures, patterns and details of this new fine art landscape photograph make for a fond reminder of the relationship that this soccer Dad has with one of his favorite Oregon Rivers!