Butter Creek (Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butter Creek |
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 Location of the mouth of Butter Creek in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Umatilla and Morrow counties, |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near Matlock Hill Umatilla County, Oregon 5,034 ft (1,534 m) 45°12′24″N 119°10′25″W / 45.20667°N 119.17361°W |
| River mouth | Umatilla River upstream of Hermiston, Morrow County, Oregon 535 ft (163 m) 45°47′41″N 119°19′44″W / 45.79472°N 119.32889°W |
| Length | 57 mi (92 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 465 sq mi (1,200 km2) |
Butter Creek is a natural waterway, or creek, located in the state of Oregon in the United States. It flows for about 57 miles (92 kilometers), which is roughly the distance from one end of a large city to the other. This creek is an important part of the local environment, providing water and habitat for various plants and animals.
Contents
What is Butter Creek?
Butter Creek is a long stream that winds its way through two counties in Oregon: Umatilla and Morrow. It's known as a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger river. In this case, Butter Creek joins the Umatilla River. Think of it like a smaller road merging onto a bigger highway.
Where Does Butter Creek Start and End?
Every river or creek has a beginning and an end. The beginning is called the source, and the end is called the mouth.
The Source of Butter Creek
Butter Creek starts high up in the mountains, near a place called Matlock Hill. This area is part of the Umatilla National Forest in Umatilla County, Oregon. The source is at a high elevation of about 5,034 feet (1,534 meters) above sea level. Imagine standing on top of a very tall building; that's how high it begins! The water here often comes from melting snow or rainfall.
The Mouth of Butter Creek
After its long journey, Butter Creek reaches its mouth. This is where it flows into the Umatilla River. The mouth is located upstream (meaning further up the river) from the town of Hermiston, Oregon. By the time it reaches its mouth, the elevation has dropped significantly to about 535 feet (163 meters) above sea level. This drop in elevation is what makes the water flow downhill.
The Butter Creek Watershed
A watershed is like a giant bowl or basin that collects all the rain and snowmelt in an area. All the water within this basin eventually drains into a single river or creek. The Butter Creek watershed covers a large area of about 465 square miles (1,204 square kilometers). This means that all the water that falls on this huge area will eventually make its way into Butter Creek.
Why are Watersheds Important?
Watersheds are very important for the environment and for people. They help manage water flow, prevent floods, and provide clean drinking water. The health of a creek like Butter Creek depends on the health of its entire watershed. If the land in the watershed is healthy, the water in the creek will likely be healthy too.
