Pringle Creek (Willamette River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pringle Creek |
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The creek where a small canal flows into it
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 Location of the mouth of Pringle Creek in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Marion |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Salem Hills 517 ft (158 m) 44°53′12″N 123°03′48″W / 44.88667°N 123.06333°W |
| River mouth | Willamette River Salem 144 ft (44 m) 44°56′18″N 123°02′37″W / 44.93833°N 123.04361°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 15 sq mi (39 km2) |
Pringle Creek is a small stream in Oregon, USA. It flows into the Willamette River. The creek and its branches drain an area of about 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) in Marion County. This whole area is inside the city limits of Salem.
Pringle Creek has several smaller streams that flow into it. These are called its tributaries. Some of the main tributaries include Clark Creek, West Fork Pringle Creek, West Middle Fork, and East Fork.
Contents
What is Pringle Creek's Path?
Pringle Creek is not just one simple stream. It's a group of small waterways. Over the years, city growth has changed how these streams flow a lot. Some parts of the streams flow above ground. Other parts flow through underground pipes and tunnels called culverts. People have also changed the creek by adding water from other places or taking water out.
Where Do Pringle Creek's Branches Start?
The West Fork Pringle Creek starts from natural springs southwest of the main creek. It flows mostly north and a little east. It meets the East Fork Pringle Creek near 14th Street and Oxford Street.
The East Fork Pringle Creek and West Middle Fork Pringle Creek start in farm fields. These fields are near Interstate 5, southeast of downtown Salem. The East Fork flows mostly northwest. The West Middle Fork flows north and joins the East Fork a little before the East Fork meets the West Fork.
How Does Pringle Creek Flow Through Salem?
Clark Creek is another small stream that starts south of Salem's center. It joins Pringle Creek from the left side near Bush's Pasture Park. Pringle Creek then flows between this park and the Deepwood Estate.
The creek goes under Mission Street. It then flows between Salem Cardiology and the old Oregon School for the Blind on one side, and Salem Hospital and Pringle Park on the other. After passing under the hospital, Pringle Creek gets water from Shelton Ditch. This ditch brings water that was taken from Mill Creek.
Pringle Creek then flows through Pringle Plaza to Mirror Pond. Here, the Mill Race, which is another channel from Mill Creek, adds more water. Finally, the combined waters flow under Commercial Street and past an old factory. They then reach Willamette Slough, which is part of the Willamette River.
What is the Pringle Creek Area Like?
The area that Pringle Creek drains is called its drainage basin or watershed. This entire basin is within Salem's urban growth boundary. This means it's part of the city's developed area.
Other small creek areas are next to Pringle Creek's basin. To the west, there's Croisan Creek. To the west and northwest, there's Willamette Slough East. Mill Creek is to the north and east, and Battle Creek is to the south.
In 2002, about 60% of the Pringle Creek watershed was city area. About 27% was used for farming. The main crops grown there were grass seed and hay. McNary Field, which is Salem's airport, and the area of the old Fairview Training Center are also in the Pringle Creek basin.
How Did Pringle Creek Get Its Name?
The creek is named after a man named Virgil K. Pringle. He moved from Missouri to Oregon in 1846. He claimed land near the stream under the Donation Land Claim Act.
The Southern Pacific Railroad later built a train station nearby. In 1925, they named this station Pringle. The station closed in the 1980s. However, the name "Pringle" is still used today for a post office branch and a shopping center in the area.
