Thomas Creek (Linn County, Oregon)
| Thomas Creek | |
.jpg) Hannah Bridge over Thomas Creek
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| Name origin: 19th-century settler Frederick Thomas | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Oregon |
| County | Linn County |
| Source | Willamette National Forest |
| - location | southwest of Detroit Lake |
| - elevation | 3,734 ft (1,138 m) |
| - coordinates | 44°39′59″N 122°18′54″W / 44.66639°N 122.31500°W |
| Mouth | South Santiam River |
| - location | west of Scio |
| - coordinates | 44°40′39″N 122°58′19″W / 44.67750°N 122.97194°WCoordinates: 44°40′39″N 122°58′19″W / 44.67750°N 122.97194°W |
| Length | 35 mi (56 km) |
| Basin | 117 sq mi (303 km2) |
| Discharge | for Scio, Oregon |
| - average | 487 cu ft/s (14 m3/s) |
| - max | 27,400 cu ft/s (776 m3/s) |
| - min | 3.4 cu ft/s (0 m3/s) |
  Location of the mouth of Thomas Creek in Oregon
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Thomas Creek is a stream, about 35 miles (56 km) long, in Linn County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Beginning in Willamette National Forest on the western slopes of the Cascade Range, the creek flows generally west through Santiam State Forest and farmland to meet the South Santiam River west of Scio.
Three covered bridges, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, carry traffic over the creek. Two other covered bridges that originally crossed Thomas Creek were moved to parks in cities outside the creek's watershed. Several covered bridges that once spanned the creek were destroyed in weather-related incidents or were otherwise demolished.
The creek at times has flooded Scio, particularly in 1964. The drop in elevation on its upper reaches, coupled with its flow volume, make it suitable at times for whitewater canoes and kayaks. The stream supports populations of smallmouth bass, cutthroat trout, and other fish.
Thomas Creek is a tributary of the South Santiam River. It begins on the western slopes of the Cascade Range at an elevation of about 3,700 feet (1,100 m) above sea level southwest of Detroit Lake, which is on the North Santiam River. The creek flows generally west from its source, receiving Hall and other small creeks before reaching the unincorporated community of Jordan. Jordan Creek enters from the at about river mile (RM) 19.
Downstream of Jordan, other small tributaries enter before Thomas Creek flows by a stream gauge operated by the United States Geological Survey at RM 14.2. The creek then passes under Oregon Route 226 before reaching Scio. Below Scio, the creek receives Sucker Slough before entering the South Santiam River about 3 miles (5 km) above its confluence with the North Santiam River. The North and South Santiam combine to form the Santiam River, a tributary of the Willamette River.
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Wikipedia