Elkhorn Creek (Marion County, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elkhorn Creek |
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Along the creek in Marion County
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Marion County, Oregon |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Willamette National Forest, north of Big Cliff Reservoir 3,711 feet (1,131 m) 44°47′17″N 122°16′18″W / 44.788178°N 122.271745°W |
| River mouth | Little North Santiam River 1,070 feet (330 m) 44°49′05″N 122°23′31″W / 44.818178°N 122.392026°W |
| Length | 7.6 miles (12 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Mostly west |
| Tributaries |
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| Type: | Wild, Scenic |
| Designated: | September 30, 1996 |
Elkhorn Creek is a beautiful stream about 7.6 miles (12.2 km) long. It is located in Marion County, Oregon, in the United States. The creek starts in the Willamette National Forest and flows mostly west. Elkhorn Creek is home to various fish and other amazing wildlife. A large part of this creek is protected as a "Wild and Scenic River." This helps keep its natural beauty safe for everyone.
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Exploring Elkhorn Creek's Journey
Elkhorn Creek is a stream in Oregon, USA. It is about 7.6 miles (12.2 kilometers) long. The creek begins in the northern part of the Willamette National Forest. This starting point is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of Big Cliff Reservoir.
The creek flows mainly towards the west. It collects water from smaller streams. These include Big Twelve Creek, Buckhorn Creek, and Buck Creek. These smaller creeks all join Elkhorn Creek from the south. Finally, Elkhorn Creek flows into the Little North Santiam River. This meeting point is near Elkhorn Woods Park. It is also about 5 miles (8 km) north of the city of Gates.
Nature's Beauty Along Elkhorn Creek
The valley around Elkhorn Creek is surrounded by the western Cascade foothills. These hills are covered with coniferous trees. These are common in the Pacific Northwest. You can also see red alder trees right at the water's edge.
Amazing Wildlife
Elkhorn Creek is a great place for fish. It supports runs of rainbow trout and coastal cutthroat trout. These fish swim up the creek to lay their eggs. You can also find Pacific giant salamanders living in and around the water.
A Special Protected River
On September 30, 1996, a large part of Elkhorn Creek became protected. About 6.4 miles (10.3 km) of the stream was included. This section stretches from its mouth almost to its source. It was protected as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This system helps keep rivers wild and beautiful for future generations. It means the creek's natural flow and environment are preserved.
Helping the Creek Stay Healthy
In 2011 and 2012, a group called the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) worked on Elkhorn Creek. They did a restoration project. Their goal was to improve the habitat for fish like chinook salmon and rainbow trout. These fish need good places to spawn, or lay their eggs.
The BLM placed large logs in the lower part of Elkhorn Creek. These logs help to slow down the water's flow. They also planted new trees along the creek's banks. These trees will grow and provide shade. This shade helps to keep the water cool. Cooler water is better for fish. In the future, these trees will also fall naturally into the creek. This will create more logs and continue the process of helping the creek stay healthy.
