Fifteenmile Creek (Columbia River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fifteenmile Creek |
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Looking upstream from the North Main Street bridge in Dufur
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 Location of the mouth of Fifteenmile Creek in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| Counties | Hood River and Wasco |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lookout Mountain east of Mount Hood, Hood River County, Oregon 6,178 ft (1,883 m) 45°20′35″N 121°31′18″W / 45.34306°N 121.52167°W |
| River mouth | Columbia River near The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon 95 ft (29 m) 45°36′50″N 121°07′22″W / 45.61389°N 121.12278°W |
| Length | 54 mi (87 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 373 sq mi (970 km2) |
| Type: | Wild, Scenic |
| Designated: | March 30, 2009 |
Fifteenmile Creek is a cool creek in Oregon, a state in the United States. It's about 54 miles (87 km) long. This creek flows into the mighty Columbia River.
The creek helps drain an area of about 373 square miles (966 km²). This area covers parts of Hood River and Wasco counties. It starts high up in the Cascade Range mountains, near Mount Hood. From there, it flows northeast and then west. Finally, it joins the Columbia River near a city called The Dalles.
Have you ever wondered how it got its name? In the old pioneer days, the main road crossed this creek about 15 miles (24 km) from The Dalles. That's how it became "Fifteenmile Creek"!
Contents
Where Does Fifteenmile Creek Flow?
Fifteenmile Creek begins its journey high up near Lookout Mountain. This mountain is part of the Cascade Range, located east of Mount Hood. The very start of a river or creek is called its headwaters.
As it flows, the creek heads northeast. It crosses into Wasco County and picks up water from smaller streams. These smaller streams are called tributaries. Some of them include Ramsey Creek and Pine Creek.
Journey Through Dufur
The creek flows right through the city of Dufur. If you visit Dufur, you'll see Highway 197 crossing over the creek.
After Dufur, another creek called Dry Creek joins Fifteenmile Creek. Dry Creek flows into the right bank of Fifteenmile Creek. (A right bank is the side of the river on your right if you're looking downstream, in the direction the water is flowing). After Dry Creek joins, Fifteenmile Creek turns and flows north.
Meeting the Columbia River
Later, Fifteenmile Creek turns west. It runs alongside the Columbia River for a bit. Another creek, Eightmile Creek, joins it on the left bank. (A left bank is the side on your left when looking downstream).
Right before it joins the Columbia River, Interstate 84 and Highway 30 cross over the creek. Fifteenmile Creek then flows into the Columbia River. This meeting point is about 191 miles (307 km) upstream from where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.
What is the Fifteenmile Creek Watershed?
A watershed is like a giant bowl or basin. All the rain and snow that falls within this area eventually drains into a specific river or creek. The Fifteenmile Creek watershed covers about 373 square miles (966 km²). This area is part of the Columbia Plateau region in Oregon.
About 15% of this watershed is inside the Mount Hood National Forest. This part is owned by the United States Forest Service. The other 85% of the land in the watershed is privately owned.
The land in the watershed has different heights. It ranges from 6,525 feet (1,989 meters) high at the top of Lookout Mountain. It goes all the way down to 95 feet (29 meters) at the creek's mouth, where it joins the Columbia River.
Fish and Wildlife in the Creek
Fifteenmile Creek is home to several types of fish that travel between fresh water and the ocean. These fish are called anadromous fish.
Types of Fish You Might Find
- Steelhead: These are a type of rainbow trout that spend part of their lives in the ocean.
- Pacific lamprey: These are ancient, eel-like fish.
- Chinook salmon: These are large, important salmon.
- Coho salmon: Another type of salmon, known for their silver color.
Fifteenmile Creek is special because it's the easternmost creek on the Columbia River where winter steelhead can be found.
Protecting the Fish
The coho salmon in Fifteenmile Creek are part of a larger group called the Lower Columbia River Coho Evolutionary Significant Unit. Sadly, these coho salmon are currently listed as a threatened species. This means their populations have become very low and they are at risk of disappearing.
Fish populations have gone down in recent years for a few reasons:
- Overfishing: Too many fish were caught.
- Hydroelectric dams: Dams built on rivers can block fish from moving to their spawning grounds.
- Habitat problems: The places where fish live and reproduce have gotten worse.
Efforts are being made to help these fish populations recover and keep the creek healthy.
Images for kids
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Looking upstream from the North Main Street bridge in Dufur
