Coos Bay


Coos Bay is an S-shaped inlet where the Coos River enters the Pacific Ocean, approximately 10 miles long and two miles wide, on the Pacific Ocean coast of southwestern Oregon in the United States. The city of Coos Bay, once named Marshfield, was renamed for the bay and is located on its inner side. The Port of Coos Bay is the largest and deepest port between San Francisco, California and the Columbia River.
Coos Bay is located in northern Coos County. Other communities on the bay include North Bend and Charleston. Many of the fishing and pleasure boats that call Coos Bay home are docked in Charleston.
Coos Bay is the proposed site of a liquefied natural gas terminal by Jordan Cove Energy Project. The terminal would export liquefied natural gas primarily to overseas market through the proposed Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline which would extend 234 miles from Malin, near Klamath Falls to Jordan Cove on Coos Bay. The terminal and pipeline projects are under regulatory review. Oregon Governor Kulongoski expressed various environmental concerns.

Coos River

The Coos River, which begins in the Oregon Coast Range, enters the bay from the east.

Shellfishing in Coos Bay

Some of Oregon's most productive shellfishing is in Coos Bay. Coos Bay is Oregon's largest bay, and the lower part of the bay offers many shellfishing opportunities such as crabbing and clamming. The lower bay is the area that extends from the airport to the ocean entrance, and is marine dominated. Some popular, easily accessible clamming spots are along Cape Arago highway, where recreational clammers can dig for gaper and butter clams, in the extensive mud flats during low tide.