Thomas Creek (Oregon) facts for kids

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It has many interesting natural features and landmarks. One name you'll find used a lot for different places in Oregon is Thomas Creek. It's pretty cool how one name can be used for so many different things!

What is Thomas Creek?

When you hear "Thomas Creek" in Oregon, it's not just one single place. It's actually the name for at least 19 different features across the state. These include streams (which are like small rivers), bridges, and even a large land area called a basin. It's like having many people named "Thomas" in one big family!

Streams Named Thomas Creek

Many of the "Thomas Creek" features are streams. A stream is a small flowing body of water, often a branch of a larger river. These streams are found in different parts of Oregon, from high up in the mountains to closer to the coast.

• One stream called Thomas Creek is in Lane County, Oregon. It's located near the town of Walterville.
• Another Thomas Creek flows through Washington County, Oregon, close to Gales Creek.
• There's also a Thomas Creek in Malheur County, Oregon, which is in the eastern part of the state. This one is quite high up, at about 4,442 feet (1,354 meters) above sea level.
• You can find a Thomas Creek in Clackamas County, Oregon, near Scotts Mills.
• And another one in Tillamook County, Oregon, which is closer to the coast. This stream is much lower, at about 112 feet (34 meters) above sea level.
• There's even a Thomas Creek in Curry County, Oregon, right at sea level! This stream is famous because it's crossed by a very tall bridge.
• Two streams named Thomas Creek are in Lake County, Oregon. One is called East Branch Thomas Creek, and the other is just Thomas Creek. They are both quite high up in the mountains.
• Finally, there's a Thomas Creek in Umatilla County, Oregon, in the northeastern part of the state, and another in Linn County, Oregon.

Bridges Called Thomas Creek Bridge

Besides streams, the name "Thomas Creek Bridge" is used for several important bridges in Oregon. A bridge is a structure built to cross over an obstacle like a river, valley, or road.

• The most well-known is the Thomas Creek Bridge in Curry County, Oregon. This bridge is part of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, which is a beautiful area along the coast. It's a very tall bridge, standing about 26 feet (8 meters) above the stream it crosses.
• There are also two bridges in Linn County, Oregon that are sometimes called Thomas Creek Bridge.
  • The Hannah Bridge is one of them. It's about 440 feet (134 meters) above sea level.
  • The Jordan Bridge is another. It's a bit higher, at 466 feet (142 meters).
• The Weddle Covered Bridge is also sometimes called Thomas Creek Bridge. This is a special kind of bridge that has a roof and sides, like a tunnel. It's a historic landmark in Linn County.

Thomas Creek Basin

There is also a large geographical area called the Thomas Creek Basin in Malheur County, Oregon. A basin is like a giant bowl-shaped area of land where all the water flows into a central river or lake. The Thomas Creek Basin is quite high up, at about 5,384 feet (1,641 meters) above sea level.