The Hoko River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. It originates in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains, and runs about 25 miles (40 km) to the Pacific Ocean through a rugged landscape that has been heavily logged. Its largest tributary is the Little Hoko River, which joins at river mile 3.5-mile (5.6 km). The lower 1 mile (1.6 km) of the Hoko River is estuarine. The Hoko watershed supports chinook, chum, coho, and winter steelhead, with over 48 miles (77 km) of stream miles that provide suitable spawning habitat.[1]
| Hoko River | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Olympic Mountains |
| Mouth | |
• location | Pacific Ocean |
• elevation | Sea level |
| Length | 25 mi (40 km) |
| Basin size | 75 sq mi (190 km2) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 397 cu ft/s (11.2 m3/s) |
Because the Hoko River, like the nearby Pysht River, is brushy, full of snags, and often carries tannin stained water, it is known as a "cedar creek".[2]
The name Hoko is of Makah origin and refers to the large projecting rock at the river mouth.[3]
The Hoko River is the namesake of the Late Eocene Hoko River Formation, which was formally described in 1976 by Parke D. Snavely, Jr. et al from outcrops along the river.[4]
Sites along the Hoko River have proved it to be an ideal location for preserving artifacts, bones, antlers, and baskets from the past. Hooks, cordage used for lines, and drying racks made from wood have all been found near the Hoko River sites. These artifacts' production is dated to around 1000 BCE.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "State of the Waters- Hoko and Little Hoko Rivers" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ Rose, Doug (2006). Washington River Maps & Fishing Guide. Frank Amato Publications. p. 20. ISBN 1-57188-367-3.
- ^ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
- ^ Snavely, P.D.; Niem, A.R.; Pearl, J.E. (1978). "Twin River Group (upper Eocene to lower Miocene)–Defined to include the Hoko River, Makah, and Pysht Formations, Clallam County, Washington". U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin. 1457-A: 111–120.
- ^ Snow, Dean R. (2010). Archaeology of Native North America. Pearson Education Inc. ISBN 0-13-615686-X.
External links
edit- USGS gage 12034400 Hoko River, USGS Water-Date Report 2008
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hoko River
48°17′5″N 124°21′52″W / 48.28472°N 124.36444°W