The Chetco River estuary is located on the Oregon coast at Brookings. The estuary is approximately 171 acres in area and has a watershed of approximately 359 square miles.

The Chetco River estuary is designated as a Shallow Draft Development estuary under the Oregon Estuary Classification system. The geomorphology of the area is that of a Drowned River Mouth estuary.

The Chetco River estuary is located in Curry County. The formerly mining centered economy of Curry County has largely reoriented to agriculture and timber. Port Orford cedar (Lawson Cypress) and myrtlewood are important export products. Port districts were established at Port Orford in 1919 and Gold Beach in 1955. The county has excellent grazing areas for raising cattle and sheep. The county also produces blueberries, horticultural nursery stock, and ninety percent of all Easter lilies raised in the United States. Vacation and recreational possibilities in the county draw tourists to the area and provide additional economic diversity. The first county census in 1860 showed a population of 393 in Curry County. There has been a steady increase in population with the 1997 population given at 22,200, a 14.9% increase over 1990.

The Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a spectacular parade of coastal islands, beaches, coves, and capes, arguably the prettiest part of Oregon's coast. Whales pass this portion of the coast from January to June.