Building Strong® at the Chetco River

2 aerial images of Chetco RiverThe Chetco River flows into the Pacific Ocean at Brookings, Ore., 300 miles south of the mouth of the Columbia River and 345 miles north of San Francisco Bay.


The Chetco River rises in the Siskiyou Mountains of Oregon at an elevation of 4,000 feet, flows about 51 miles in a circuitous route before emptying into the Pacific Ocean.


The jetties, completed in 1957, and authorized dredging provide channel stabilization over the bar at the mouth of the Chetco River. Rock pinnacles and an abandoned bridge were removed in 1959. Modifications authorized in 1965 and completed in 1969 included an entrance channel 14 feet deep and 120 feet wide, increasing the elevation of the north jetty and extending it 450 feet. Construction of a protective dike, turning basin and small boat access channel was completed in 1970.


The Corps of Engineers does not maintain recreation facilities at this location. Please stay off the jetties as they are hazardous and not intended for recreational use. Nearby and/or adjacent recreational facilities fall under the jurisdiction of private, local or state agencies. Learn more about jetties and why they are unsuitable for recreation at Understanding Coastal Jetties.

For more information

Oregon Coastal Harbors pamphlet

Contact us:

Phone: 503-808-4510

Email us about the Chetco River

Latest News Releases

Corps of Engineers dedicates new coastal survey vessel in Newport
1/23/2023
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District officially welcomed its newest hydrographic survey vessel, the Beeman, with a dedication and christening ceremony in Newport, Oregon, Jan. 11...
9,200 buckets later, Corps dredging halfway complete at Gold Beach
9/9/2022
A giant bucket – the size of a 1970s Volkswagen bus – swings through the air after it gobbles up 20 cubic yards of gravel blocking (shoaling-in) access to parts of the Port of Gold Beach, Ore. The...
Corps awards $5 million contract for Rogue River dredging at Gold Beach
3/15/2022
Army officials announce a $5.3 million contract award for dredging the Rogue River at Gold Beach, Ore. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) maintains navigation channels along the Oregon coast and...

Operations: Chetco River

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 General information
The Port of Brookings has two large boat basins, one for commercial fishing boats and the other for sport boats, and a public boat launching ramp. There are four fish receiving docks and a sea-going barge dock for lumber loading and storage, as well as a U.S. Coast Guard Station and a privately owned marina.

Navigation channel is 14 feet long and 120 feet deep.
Turning basin is 650 feet long, 250 feet wide, 14 feet deep.
Commercial boat basin access is 200 feet long, 100 feet wide, 12 feet deep.

Jetties
North Jetty is 1,350 feet long
South Jetty is 1,250 feet long
Protective dike is 1,800 feet long and 18 feet high

 Map
Graphic illustration map of Chetco River
 Authorization
The Rivers and Harbors Acts of: March 2, 1945; Oct. 27, 1965, and Dec. 4, 1981.
The Corps’ maintenance authorization was modified by the Water Resources Development Act of 1992.