Sherwood Creek facts for kids

Sherwood Creek is a stream located in Mason County, Washington. It gets its water from Mason Lake and flows through the small town of Allyn, Washington. The creek then empties into the Case Inlet, which is part of the Puget Sound, near the Kitsap Peninsula.

Exploring Sherwood Creek's Geography

Sherwood Creek is a fascinating waterway with many different features. Its depth and bottom can change quite a bit! In some spots, the creek might be only an inch deep with a rocky bottom. In other places, it can be three feet deep with a soft, sandy bottom.

The creek gets its water from Mason Lake, which also has another creek flowing into it. Where the creek has a rocky bottom, the rocks are usually smooth and dark. Where the bottom is sandy, the water is often deeper. Sherwood Creek also has one smaller stream, called a tributary, that flows into it.

Creek Depths and Water Flow

While the creek can be three feet deep, some parts are much deeper, even up to ten feet! However, not much of the creek has been explored in these very deep areas.

Sherwood Creek often experiences seasonal floods, especially during the fall and winter when it rains the most. You can also find many small to large pools of slow-moving water along the creek. In sandy areas, the sides of the creek can sometimes be like small cliffs that drop straight into the water.

The creek flows through its own wide and steep valley. This makes it a bit tricky to reach the creek in some places.

Mill Pond: A Hidden Reservoir

Further down the creek, you'll find a large area of water known as Mill Pond. Not a lot is known about this pond. It is affected by the tide because it is close to where the creek flows into the larger body of water.

People believe that Native Americans in the area created Mill Pond in the 1950s. They likely made it for fishing. Today, the pond is not open to the public. You can get the best view of it from a house along Washington State Route 3. From there, you can see the pond and even spot a dark area running through its center, which is where the creek used to flow. If you are on Route 3 heading towards Shelton, Washington, you will know you are close when you see a small lake called Catfish Lake on your left.

History of Sherwood Creek

The town of Allyn was first settled in 1853, but it officially became a town in 1889. By 1890, Allyn was a major exporter of lumber. Railways were built along the creek to help move the lumber. This meant Allyn needed its own sawmill, which was built right on Sherwood Creek.

The person who ran the sawmill was Joe Sherwood. Sadly, he died in an accident at the mill in 1873. After his death, the creek was named Sherwood Creek in his honor.

Later, in the 1950s, it is thought that Mill Pond was formed. The local Indian tribe created it, probably to help with fishing.

Protecting Salmon in the Creek

Today, a group called the ASEG (Allyn Salmon Enhancement Group) works to protect and help the salmon in Sherwood Creek. They do many projects along the creek, from where it meets the larger water body (the delta) all the way to its beginning.

There is also a Naval railway that runs alongside the less populated side of the creek's valley. At one point, this railway crosses over the creek near its start. You can also find old ruins from a past logging site and possibly parts of the old State Route 3. These are located on a small, hidden road near a home.

Wildlife and Ecosystems

Part of Sherwood Creek is considered an estuary, which is where fresh water from the creek mixes with salt water from the ocean. This area, and the entire creek, is full of life!

Aquatic Life

Every year, from October through November, salmon swim up the creek. They do this to reproduce and lay their eggs. While rare, crayfish also live in the creek.

Land Animals and Plants

On land, you can find many different animals, including Deer, Coyotes, Bears, Chipmunks, Squirrels, and Rabbits. There are also many types of birds, flora (plants), fungi, rodents, and insects.

At night, spiders come out to hunt. Other creatures, like Coyotes, also become more active. You can also find many beavers living in the creek. You'll often see their neatly chewed sticks all around the area.