Hylebos Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hylebos Creek |
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Location of the mouth of Hylebos Creek in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Counties | King, Pierce |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Unincorporated King County Washington 290 ft (88 m) 47°16′45″N 122°18′30″W / 47.27917°N 122.30833°W |
| River mouth | Commencement Bay Washington 0 ft (0 m) 47°17′6″N 122°24′40″W / 47.28500°N 122.41111°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 16.8 sq mi (44 km2) |
Hylebos Creek is a stream in the United States state of Washington. It flows near the city of Tacoma. The creek eventually empties into Commencement Bay, which is part of Puget Sound.
Hylebos Creek travels through southern King County and northern Pierce County. It passes through several cities, including Tacoma, Federal Way, Milton, and Fife. It also flows through the Puyallup Indian Reservation.
Contents
Exploring Hylebos Creek's Path
Hylebos Creek has a main branch and a smaller branch called West Hylebos Creek. Both branches flow through different areas before joining together.
The Main Hylebos Creek
The main part of Hylebos Creek starts about 290 feet (88 meters) above sea level. This is in King County, just south of where two major roads, Interstate 5 and Washington State Route 18, meet. It generally flows south, picking up water from smaller streams. One of these streams drains a lake called Lake Killarney.
The creek then enters the city of Federal Way. It turns southwest and flows through a valley. After this, it enters Pierce County and the city of Milton. Just east of Interstate 5, the main creek is joined by its most important side stream, West Hylebos Creek.
From there, Hylebos Creek flows south near Interstate 5. Then it turns northwest. A long stream from the east, which drains Surprise Lake, joins the creek here. Some parts of this stream are straight ditches, built by people. Hylebos Creek continues northwest. It crosses a small part of Fife's Lower Hylebos Nature Park. Finally, it enters the Port of Tacoma, which is part of the city of Tacoma. The creek flows into the Hylebos Waterway, an inlet of Commencement Bay and Puget Sound. The mouth of Hylebos Creek is where the Hylebos Waterway meets Commencement Bay.
West Hylebos Creek's Journey
West Hylebos Creek begins about 229 feet (70 meters) above sea level. It starts in Federal Way, King County, within the West Hylebos Wetlands Park. This branch generally flows south. It collects water from a stream that sometimes flows from Panther Lake. It also gets water from a longer stream that starts near North Lake and a shopping center called The Commons.
This longer stream flows south along the west side of Interstate 5. Near the Interstate 5 and State Route 18 interchange, this stream turns west. It flows towards West Hylebos Wetlands Park, then south. It joins West Hylebos Creek in southern Federal Way. From this meeting point, West Hylebos Creek continues south. It joins the main Hylebos Creek at an elevation of about 22 feet (7 meters). A large part of West Hylebos Creek flows through important wetland areas.
The Story Behind the Name
Hylebos Creek is named after a person named Peter Francis Hylebos. He was a Catholic priest who was born in Belgium. Peter Francis Hylebos was important in the early history of Washington Territory. He helped start schools and hospitals in the area.
