Tumtum River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tumtum River |
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 Location of the mouth of the Tumtum River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| Counties | Lincoln, Benton |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Central Oregon Coast Range near Burnt Woods, Lincoln County 1,018 ft (310 m) 44°35′52″N 123°39′04″W / 44.59778°N 123.65111°W |
| River mouth | Marys River (Oregon) near Alder, Benton County 584 ft (178 m) 44°35′18″N 123°30′43″W / 44.58833°N 123.51194°W |
| Length | 9 mi (14 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 19.1 sq mi (49 km2) |
The Tumtum River is a small river, about 9 miles (14 kilometers) long, located in the state of Oregon in the United States. It flows through Benton and Lincoln counties. This river is a tributary, meaning it flows into a larger river, which in this case is the Marys River.
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Where Does the Tumtum River Flow?
The Tumtum River begins in the Central Oregon Coast Range. This is a mountain range in western Oregon. The river's source is near a place called Burnt Woods in Lincoln County.
Journey to the Marys River
As the Tumtum River flows, it passes through a few small communities. These include Burnt Woods and Blodgett. Finally, the river empties into the Marys River. This meeting point is north of a community called Alder in Benton County.
What Does "Tumtum" Mean?
The name Tumtum has a special meaning. It comes from Chinook Jargon, which was a trade language used by different Native American tribes and European settlers in the Pacific Northwest.
The Heart of the Valley
In Chinook Jargon, "tumtum" means "heart." The river was given this name because people thought of it as the "heart" of the valley it flowed through. It was a very important part of the area.
A Proposed Name for a Post Office
When the community of Burnt Woods needed a name for its post office, "Tumtum" was one of the names suggested. This shows how well-known and important the river was to the local people.
