Cow Creek (South Umpqua River tributary) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cow Creek
West Fork Bridge over Cow Creek
Map of the Umpqua River watershed including Cow Creek (the C-shaped watercourse near the bottom)
Country	United States
State	Oregon
Physical characteristics
Main source	South Fork Cow Creek A mile north of Round Top, Jackson County, Umpqua National Forest 4,000 ft (1,200 m) 42°43′34″N 122°59′44″W / 42.72611°N 122.99556°W / 42.72611; -122.99556
2nd source	East Fork Cow Creek Richter Mountain, Umpqua National Forest 4,500 ft (1,400 m) 42°46′02″N 122°55′53″W / 42.76722°N 122.93139°W / 42.76722; -122.93139
River mouth	South Umpqua River Canyonville, Douglas County 636 ft (194 m) 42°56′49″N 123°20′16″W / 42.94694°N 123.33778°W / 42.94694; -123.33778
Length	44 mi (71 km), East-west
Basin features
River system	South Umpqua River
Basin size	456 sq mi (1,180 km2)

Cow Creek is a river in southwestern Oregon. It's a branch of the South Umpqua River. This medium-sized river collects water from a large area. This area is over 400 square miles (about 1,000 square kilometers). It includes parts of the Cascade Range foothills and the Oregon Coast Range. Most of the land drained by Cow Creek is in Douglas County. A small part is in northern Jackson County.

Where Cow Creek Starts and Flows

Cow Creek begins in the Umpqua National Forest. It forms where two smaller streams meet: the South Fork Cow Creek and the East Fork Cow Creek. The South Fork is bigger and is often thought of as the main starting point.

The River's Journey

• In its first few miles, Cow Creek flows west. It passes through a farming valley.
• It also flows through Galesville Reservoir, which is a lake created by a dam.
• For several miles, Cow Creek runs next to Interstate 5, a major highway.
• Near Glendale, Oregon, another stream called Windy Creek joins Cow Creek from the right side.
• The river then turns northwest and enters a canyon. Here, West Fork Cow Creek joins from the left, and Middle Creek joins from the right.
• Cow Creek continues flowing north. It then slowly bends eastward. It even doubles back, almost flowing in the opposite direction of its earlier path.
• Finally, the river leaves the mountains near Riddle.
• It makes a sharp turn south around a hill.
• Cow Creek then joins the South Umpqua River. This meeting point is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) west of Canyonville.