Depot Creek (BC-Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Depot Creek |
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 Location of the mouth of Depot Creek in British Columbia
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| Country | Canada, United States |
| Province/ State |
British Columbia, Washington |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unnamed lake Whatcom County, Washington State, United States 1,725 m (5,659 ft) 48°57′52″N 121°15′53″W / 48.96444°N 121.26472°W |
| River mouth | Chilliwack Lake British Columbia, Canada 622 m (2,041 ft) 49°01′46″N 121°24′07″W / 49.02944°N 121.40194°W |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Pacific Ocean drainage basin |
Depot Creek is a large creek that flows through both British Columbia, Canada, and Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It is also known by other names like Brown Creek and Kokanee Creek. This creek is part of the huge Pacific Ocean drainage basin, meaning its waters eventually flow into the Pacific Ocean. You can find it in the beautiful North Cascades mountain range. Along its path, there's even a cool waterfall called Depot Creek Falls.
Contents
What's in a Name?
Depot Creek has a few different names, and each one tells a bit of its history!
Why "Depot" Creek?
Some people think the name "Depot" comes from an old trading post that was once near where the creek meets Chilliwack Lake. A "depot" is a place where supplies are stored. However, the British Columbia Names Office has another idea. They believe it was named after a supply depot used by the Boundary Commission. This group was active from 1858 to 1861, working to mark the border between Canada and the United States.
Other Names: Brown and Kokanee
The creek is also called Brown Creek. This name comes from a U.S. Army colonel who sadly drowned in Chilliwack Lake in 1858. He was buried near the creek. Another name for it is Kokanee Creek. This name is special because it refers to a type of sockeye salmon that lives only in freshwater. These fish are common in the Pacific Northwest region.
Where Does Depot Creek Flow?
Depot Creek starts its journey in the United States and then crosses into Canada.
Starting Point
The creek begins in an unnamed lake in Whatcom County, Washington State, United States. This lake is nestled in a cirque, which is a bowl-shaped valley carved by glaciers. It's located between two mountains: Mount Redoubt and Mount Spickard.
The Journey Downstream
From the lake, Depot Creek flows northwest. It soon reaches a large, swampy area right before Depot Creek Falls. The creek then plunges over the waterfall, reaching the bottom of the valley. From there, it continues flowing northwest and crosses the border into British Columbia, Canada.
Meeting Chilliwack Lake
Finally, Depot Creek reaches its end at Chilliwack Lake in British Columbia, near the lake's south end. The water from Chilliwack Lake then flows into the Chilliwack River, which eventually joins the mighty Fraser River, and from there, it all flows into the Pacific Ocean.
Parks Along the Way
Part of Depot Creek in the United States is located inside North Cascades National Park. This is a beautiful area protected for its natural environment. The lower part of the creek and its mouth in Canada are within Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, another protected area.
