Deschutes River (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deschutes River |
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Tumwater Falls of the Deschutes River, in the city of Tumwater
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Location of the mouth of the Deschutes River in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Thurston, Lewis |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cascade Range 46°41′0″N 122°26′17″W / 46.68333°N 122.43806°W |
| River mouth | Puget Sound 47°1′6″N 122°54′13″W / 47.01833°N 122.90361°W |
| Length | 50 mi (80 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 162 sq mi (420 km2) |
The Deschutes River is a cool river in the U.S. state of Washington. It's about 50-mile-long (80 km), which is like running a marathon twice! This river starts in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and flows all the way to Puget Sound. It's an important part of the area, providing water and fun activities for everyone.
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Discover the Deschutes River
The Deschutes River is a 50-mile-long (80 km) river in Washington. It begins in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Lewis County. From there, it flows north until it reaches Budd Inlet. This inlet is part of Puget Sound near Olympia in Thurston County.
What's in a Name?
The name Deschutes comes from French fur traders. They called it Rivière des Chutes, which means "River of the Falls". This name was a translation of what the local First Nations people called the river. The city of Tumwater, which is located right by the river's falls, also has a name related to waterfalls. Tumwater comes from the Chinook Jargon language and means "waterfall".
River Branches and Fun Spots
The Deschutes River has several smaller streams that flow into it. These are called tributaries. Some of its tributaries include Spurgeon Creek, Thurston Creek, and water from Lake Lawrence.
There are many great parks along the river where people can visit and enjoy nature. Two popular parks are Pioneer Park and Tumwater Falls Park. These parks offer beautiful views and places to relax.
Adventures on the River
One popular activity on the Deschutes River is tubing! People love to float down a section of the river from Pioneer Park all the way to Tumwater Falls. It's a fun way to cool off and enjoy the scenery during warm weather.
