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Chehalem Creek facts for kids

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Chehalem Creek
Chehalem creek basin.jpg
Chehalem Creek hidden by trees along a farm field in Chehalem Valley
Chehalem Creek is located in Oregon
Chehalem Creek
Location of the mouth of Chehalem Creek in Oregon
Other name(s) Chahelim Creek
Country United States
State Oregon
Region Yamhill County
Cities Newberg, Dundee
Physical characteristics
Main source East side of the Northern Oregon Coast Range
Above Larsen Reservoir 6 mi (10 km) southeast of Gaston
409 ft (125 m)
45°22′11″N 123°07′30″W / 45.36972°N 123.12500°W / 45.36972; -123.12500
River mouth Willamette River
Newberg
62 ft (19 m)
45°16′49″N 122°58′33″W / 45.28028°N 122.97583°W / 45.28028; -122.97583
Basin features
Basin size 67.8 sq mi (176 km2)
Tributaries
  • Left:
    Farrell Creek, Bryan Creek
  • Right:
    Bronson Creek, Harvey Creek

Chehalem Creek is a stream in Oregon, United States. It flows into the Willamette River in Yamhill County. The creek collects water from a large area, about 68 square miles (176 square kilometers).

The creek starts in the Northern Oregon Coast Range mountains. Its source is about 6 miles (10 km) southeast of Gaston, above Larsen Reservoir. Chehalem Creek then flows until it joins the Willamette River near Newberg. The name 'Chehalem' comes from the Atfalati Indian word Chahelim. This was the name of an Atfalati group in 1877.

History of Chehalem Creek

Early People and European Contact

The Che-ahm-ill people were a group of Kalapuya people. They lived in the Chehalem Valley when Europeans first arrived. They stayed there for many years. Later, most survivors moved to reservations, like the Grand Ronde Reservation.

In 1812, Pacific Fur Company traders came to the Willamette Valley. This was led by Donald Mackenzie. This was the first time Europeans met the Kalapuya people.

First European-American Home

Ewing Young was an early explorer. He came to Oregon in 1834. He built a home near where Chehalem Creek meets the Willamette River. This was across from Champoeg. His house is thought to be the first one built by European-Americans on that side of the river.

Nature and Wildlife Around Chehalem Creek

Forest Changes Over Time

When the first European explorers came in the 1820s, they saw large grasslands and oak forests. They also saw a lot of smoke from fires set by Native Americans. These fires helped keep the forests open.

After many Native Americans died from European diseases, the fires stopped. Over the next 150 years, Douglas fir trees grew thick in the area. Tree ring studies show that Native American fires were common until about 1848.

In the 1900s, logging companies cut down many trees. By 1902, most of the original lowland forests were gone. A 1947 report said that Yamhill County's forests were "seriously depleted." This meant there were not many trees left.

Fish and Water Quality

In the 1980s, people stopped adding hatchery-raised coho salmon and rainbow trout to the creek. Biologists worried that these fish might harm the wild, native fish.

In 1999, steelhead trout in the Willamette River were listed as threatened. This means they were at risk of disappearing. This listing continued in 2006 and 2011.

Several native fish live in the Chehalem Valley:

These chinook salmon are also listed as threatened. Coastal cutthroat trout are found in many small streams in the Chehalem area. They are a good sign of water quality. These trout do not migrate to the ocean.

Beavers and the Creek

Beaver Dams and Their Impact

A family of beavers built several dams on a small stream that flows into Chehalem Creek. These dams created a large pond. This pond started to threaten a nearby road.

The city first planned to hire someone to remove the beavers. However, local people were upset. They thought it was not kind to kill the beavers. They also noticed that other wildlife had returned since the beavers arrived.

Solutions for Beaver Management

People suggested a different idea. They thought about using a "flow device." This device uses pipes and fences to control the water level of beaver dams. It can also help keep culverts (tunnels under roads) from getting blocked. This way, beavers can stay, and the water levels can be managed.

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