Horse Creek (McKenzie River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Horse Creek |
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Horse Creek Bridge formerly spanned Horse Creek.
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 Location of the mouth of Horse Creek in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Lane |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cascade Range 5,401 ft (1,646 m) 43°58′43″N 121°51′10″W / 43.97861°N 121.85278°W |
| River mouth | McKenzie River 1,352 ft (412 m) 44°10′12″N 122°10′29″W / 44.17000°N 122.17472°W |
Horse Creek is a stream in Oregon, a state in the United States. It flows into the McKenzie River. This creek is located in Lane County, close to the small community of McKenzie Bridge.
The creek gets its name from a group of horses. These horses were lost by early travelers in the 1800s near the creek.
Contents
Where Horse Creek Begins and Flows
Horse Creek starts high up in the Cascade Range mountains. Its very beginning is in the Three Sisters Wilderness area. This wilderness is part of the Willamette National Forest. The creek's source is near the border of Deschutes County. It is also close to the famous Pacific Crest Trail, a long hiking path.
The Creek's Journey
From its source, Horse Creek generally flows towards the northwest. It travels about 65 miles (105 kilometers) before it joins the McKenzie River. The McKenzie River then flows into the Willamette River.
As Horse Creek flows, it passes through several lakes. These lakes are called Sunset, Horse, Middle Horse, and Lower Horse. After these lakes, the creek goes through an area known as Cedar Swamp.
Smaller Streams Joining Horse Creek
Many smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into Horse Creek along its path. These tributaries add more water to the creek. Some of the named ones are Eugene, Mosquito, Pothole, Roney, Castle, Separation, Halfinger, and Spring creeks. Further downstream, other streams like Avenue, Cedar Swamp, Wilelada, Owl, and King creeks also join in.
Branches Near the McKenzie River
As Horse Creek gets closer to the McKenzie River, it splits into different branches. These branches are called distributaries. The main branches are East Fork Horse Creek and West Fork Horse Creek. Two more streams, Taylor Creek and Drury Creek, flow into the West Fork before it finally meets the McKenzie River.
Horse Creek Campground
Along the lower part of Horse Creek, there is a campground. It's a great place for people to enjoy nature. The campground can hold up to 60 campers and 23 vehicles.
Campground Features
The Horse Creek Campground offers several helpful things for visitors. These include fresh drinking water, picnic tables for meals, toilets, and campfire rings. Campfire rings are safe places to build a small fire.
When to Visit
The campground is usually open for visitors from early May until late October. This allows people to enjoy the area during the warmer months.
The Old Covered Bridge
There used to be a special bridge over Horse Creek called the Horse Creek Bridge. It was a covered bridge, meaning it had a roof and sides, like a small house over the water.
History of the Bridge
This covered bridge was built in 1937 near McKenzie Bridge. It was an important part of the local area for many years. However, in 1987, the bridge was taken apart.
What Happened to the Wood?
The wood from the Horse Creek Bridge was not wasted. Its strong timbers were used again to build parts of two other covered bridges in Oregon. One of these bridges is in Cottage Grove, and the other is in Myrtle Creek. This way, parts of the old Horse Creek Bridge live on in other places.
