Bear Creek (Oregon) facts for kids
Bear Creek is a super popular name for streams in the U.S. state of Oregon! Imagine, there are at least 123 different streams called Bear Creek in Oregon. That makes it the most common stream name in the state, even more popular than "Dry Creek" which has 84 entries. When you see a page like this, it's called a disambiguation page. It helps you find the exact Bear Creek you're looking for, since there are so many!
Why So Many "Bear Creeks"?
Have you ever wondered why so many streams are named "Bear Creek"? It's actually quite simple! Long ago, when people were exploring and settling in Oregon, bears were very common in the forests and mountains. If explorers or settlers saw bears near a stream, or if the stream was in an area where bears lived, they might just call it "Bear Creek." It was an easy and direct way to name a place.
Finding a Specific Bear Creek
Even though many streams share the name "Bear Creek," each one is unique! To tell them apart, people use extra details. For example, a stream might be called "Bear Creek (Douglas County, Oregon)" to show which county it's in. Sometimes, they add the name of a nearby town or a special landmark, like "Bear Creek (Rhododendron, Clackamas County, Oregon)." This helps everyone know exactly which stream they are talking about.
What Information Do We Have About These Creeks?
Scientists and mapmakers collect lots of interesting information about each stream. This helps us understand our environment better. For each Bear Creek, they might record:
- County: Which part of Oregon the stream flows through.
- Mouth Elevation: How high above sea level the stream is where it ends, usually by flowing into a larger river or lake. This is measured in feet or meters.
- Mouth Coordinates: The exact location of the stream's end on a map, using latitude and longitude. Think of it like a precise address for the stream!
- USGS Map: The name of the official map from the United States Geological Survey where you can find the stream.
- GNIS ID: A special identification number from the Geographic Names Information System. This unique ID helps keep track of every single named feature in the United States.
This detailed information helps scientists, hikers, and anyone interested in geography to identify and study each specific Bear Creek, even with so many sharing the same name!
