Douglas Creek (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Douglas Creek |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Waterville Plateau, Douglas County 47°44′09″N 119°59′49″W / 47.73583°N 119.99694°W |
| River mouth | Columbia River at Wanapum Lake in Douglas County 47°16′11″N 120°05′14″W / 47.26972°N 120.08722°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Columbia River → Pacific Ocean |
| Basin size | 132,056 acres (53,441 ha) |
Douglas Creek is a stream located in Douglas County, Washington, USA. It starts in the higher areas of Douglas County and flows through a large, ancient valley known as Moses Coulee. Eventually, it empties into Wanapum Lake, which is a part of the huge Columbia River.
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What is Douglas Creek?
Douglas Creek is more than just a stream; it's like an outdoor science classroom! As it flows through Moses Coulee, you can see amazing rock formations made of basalt. These rocks, along with other features, show signs of the powerful Missoula Floods that happened during the last Ice Age.
Where Does Douglas Creek Flow?
The creek begins in Douglas County and makes its way through the unique landscape of Moses Coulee. This coulee is a long, deep valley carved out by ancient floods. The creek's journey ends when it joins Wanapum Lake, a reservoir on the Columbia River.
How Big is the Douglas Creek Area?
The area that collects water for Douglas Creek is called its watershed. The main watershed for Douglas Creek covers about 132,056 acres. That's about 11% of Douglas County! If you include McCarteny Creek, which is also part of the Moses Coulee drainage system, the total area is around 1,000 square miles. This is more than half of the entire county!
Does the Creek Always Reach the River?
Douglas Creek doesn't always flow all the way to the Columbia River. It usually reaches the river only when there's a lot of rain or melting snow, causing "storm water runoff." At other times, the water from the creek is absorbed into the ground. It then becomes part of an aquifer, which is an underground layer of water-filled rock or soil.
