Dry Creek (Oregon) facts for kids
Dry Creek is a very common name for streams in the state of Oregon. Imagine how many creeks there are! The Geographic Names Information System (which keeps track of names for places) lists 96 streams called Dry Creek. The National Hydrography Dataset (which maps water features) has records for 91 of these.
What Makes a "Dry Creek"?
A "Dry Creek" usually gets its name because it might not have water flowing all year round. Sometimes, these creeks only flow after it rains a lot or when snow melts. During dry seasons, they might look like a dry riverbed.
Longest Dry Creeks in Oregon
Even though they are called "Dry Creek," some of these streams are quite long! Nine of them stretch for more than 15 miles (about 24 kilometers). These longer creeks flow through different parts of Oregon, often joining bigger rivers.
Here are some of the longest Dry Creeks in Oregon:
- The longest one is a Dry Creek that flows into Crooked Creek. It is about 54 miles (87 km) long and is found in Malheur County.
- Another long Dry Creek, about 44 miles (71 km) long, flows into the Owyhee River, also in Malheur County.
- There's a Dry Creek that runs for 23 miles (37 km) before joining Pine Creek in Umatilla County.
- A 20-mile (32 km) long Dry Creek flows into Jordan Creek, again in Malheur County.
- You can find an 18-mile (29 km) long Dry Creek that flows into Goose Lake in Lake County.
- Another Dry Creek, 17 miles (27 km) long, joins Fifteenmile Creek in Wasco County.
- There's also a 17-mile (27 km) long Dry Creek in the Fort Rock Valley, crossing parts of Lake and Klamath counties.
- A 16-mile (26 km) long Dry Creek is found in the Catlow Valley in Harney County.
- Finally, a 15-mile (24 km) long Dry Creek flows into Willow Creek in Union County.
These creeks are important parts of Oregon's natural landscape, even if their names suggest they might sometimes be dry!
