Cedar River (Willapa Bay)

Cedar River
Location of the mouth of the Cedar River in Washington
Location
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyPacific
Physical characteristics
SourceWillapa Hills
  coordinates46°45′46″N 124°3′17″W / 46.76278°N 124.05472°W / 46.76278; -124.05472
  elevation165 ft (50 m)
MouthWillapa Bay
  location
Tokeland, Washington
  coordinates
46°44′10″N 123°58′30″W / 46.73611°N 123.97500°W / 46.73611; -123.97500
  elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Length8 mi (13 km)

The Cedar River is a short stream flowing into the north end of Willapa Bay in the U.S. state of Washington.

The Cedar River originates near Seastrand Ridge in the Willapa Hills, about a mile east of the Pacific Ocean near Heather and Grayland Beach State Park, just south of Grayland. It flows east, then south, for about 8 mi (13 km) until emptying into the northern end of Willapa Bay near Tokeland, just east of Dexter by the Sea.

The river's lowermost course runs through part of the North Willapa Bay Wildlife Area Unit, part of the Johns River Wildlife Area.

The mouth of the Cedar River merges with Willapa Bay in a tidally-influenced estuary. There is a 275 acre protected unit called the Cedar River Estuary, managed by Forterra. This area is a tidal ecosystem with salt marshes, tidelands, and coniferous forests. It also includes Oyster Island, Bone Creek, and Norris Slough.