Crescent Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crescent Creek |
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Crescent Creek in Deschutes National Forest
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 Location of the mouth of Crescent Creek in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Klamath |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Crescent Lake Deschutes National Forest, Cascade Range 4,853 ft (1,479 m) 43°30′05″N 121°58′25″W / 43.50139°N 121.97361°W |
| River mouth | Little Deschutes River 4,324 ft (1,318 m) 43°31′45″N 121°39′06″W / 43.52917°N 121.65167°W |
| Length | 30 mi (48 km) |
| Type: | Recreational |
| Designated: | October 28, 1988 |
Crescent Creek is a cool stream in Oregon, about 30 miles (48 km) long. It starts at Crescent Lake in the Cascade Range mountains. The creek then flows through the beautiful Deschutes National Forest. It eventually joins the Little Deschutes River. This happens near the towns of Crescent and La Pine in Klamath County.
Contents
A Special River
Crescent Creek is a very special place. About 10 miles (16 km) of the creek are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This happened in 1988. This means the creek is protected for its natural beauty and fun activities.
Recreational Fun
The protected part of the creek is called "recreational." This means it's a great spot for outdoor activities. This section of the creek flows through a narrow canyon. It also goes through a forest filled with very old pine trees.
Connected Wild Waters
Crescent Creek is not the only protected waterway here. One of its smaller streams, called Big Marsh Creek, is also part of the wild rivers system. The upper 12 miles (19 km) of the Little Deschutes River are also protected. This shows how important these waterways are for nature.
Wildlife and Nature
Crescent Creek is home to many different kinds of animals. It's a healthy place where nature thrives.
Fish in the Creek
You can find several types of fish in the creek. These include native rainbow trout. There are also non-native fish like brown trout and brook trout. These fish help keep the creek's ecosystem balanced.
Rich Riverbanks
The areas along the upper creek are very healthy and remote. This means they are far from busy places. These riverbanks are called the riparian zone. They have many different plants like grasses, sedges, and willows. This rich plant life helps support many animals.
Home for Animals
The healthy riverbanks are a great home for wildlife. Many different kinds of birds live here. You can also find various mammals, like deer or otters. Plus, many amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, call this area home.
Visiting Crescent Creek
If you love nature and camping, Crescent Creek has a great spot for you.
Crescent Creek Campground
There is a campground called Crescent Creek Campground. It's about 9 miles (14 km) west of the town of Crescent. This campground has nine individual spots where you can set up your tent. It also has clean drinking water and a vault toilet.
Enjoying the Outdoors
The campground is usually open from mid-May through September. It's known for being quiet and a bit remote. This makes it a perfect place to relax. You can enjoy activities like watching birds or fishing in the creek.
Water Flow of the Creek
The amount of water flowing in Crescent Creek changes throughout the year.
Measuring the Flow
The United States Bureau of Reclamation uses a special tool called a stream gauge. This gauge is at the start of Crescent Lake. It helps measure how much water flows out of the lake and into Crescent Creek.
Seasonal Changes
The most water usually flows into Crescent Creek in August. At this time, the average flow is about 140 cubic feet per second (4 cubic meters per second). The water flow is lowest in November. Then, the average flow drops to about 10 cubic feet per second (0.3 cubic meters per second).
