Cow Creek (South Umpqua River)
Encyclopedia
Cow Creek is a medium-sized river in southwestern Oregon
, a tributary of the South Umpqua River
. It drains an area of over 400 mi2 on the western foothills of the Cascade Range
and within the Oregon Coast Range
. Although the vast majority of the basin is within Douglas County
, a tiny portion in the southeast extends into northern Jackson County
.
at the confluence of South Fork Cow Creek and East Fork Cow Creek. The south fork, which is much larger, is sometimes considered the main stem. In its first few miles the creek flows west through an agricultural valley and through Galesville Reservoir. Cow Creek runs alongside Interstate 5
for several miles and receives Windy Creek from the right at Glendale, Oregon
. The stream then bends northwest into a canyon, receiving West Fork Cow Creek on the left and Middle Creek from the right. It then continues northwards, bending steadily eastwards and doubling back on its former course. The river emerges from the mountains near Riddle
, and bends sharply south around a ridge, joining the South Umpqua about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Canyonville
.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, a tributary of the South Umpqua River
South Umpqua River
The South Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River, approximately long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains part of the Cascade Range east of Roseburg...
. It drains an area of over 400 mi2 on the western foothills of the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
and within the Oregon Coast Range
Oregon Coast Range
The Oregon Coast Range, often called simply the Coast Range and sometimes the Pacific Coast Range, is a mountain range, in the Pacific Coast Ranges physiographic region, in the U.S. state of Oregon along the Pacific Ocean...
. Although the vast majority of the basin is within Douglas County
Douglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
, a tiny portion in the southeast extends into northern Jackson County
Jackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
.
Course
The stream rises in the Umpqua National ForestUmpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest, in southern Oregon's Cascade mountains, covers an area of one-million acres in Douglas, Lane, and Jackson Counties, and borders Crater Lake National Park. The four ranger districts that comprise the Forest are Cottage Grove, Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger...
at the confluence of South Fork Cow Creek and East Fork Cow Creek. The south fork, which is much larger, is sometimes considered the main stem. In its first few miles the creek flows west through an agricultural valley and through Galesville Reservoir. Cow Creek runs alongside Interstate 5
Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
for several miles and receives Windy Creek from the right at Glendale, Oregon
Glendale, Oregon
Glendale is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 855 at the 2000 census.-History:Glendale started out as a small settlement called "Stumptown", because of an economy based on logging. After the arrival of the railroad in 1881, the town was named "Julia" in honor of...
. The stream then bends northwest into a canyon, receiving West Fork Cow Creek on the left and Middle Creek from the right. It then continues northwards, bending steadily eastwards and doubling back on its former course. The river emerges from the mountains near Riddle
Riddle, Oregon
Riddle is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,014 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.Riddle was founded by George Abner Riddle....
, and bends sharply south around a ridge, joining the South Umpqua about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Canyonville
Canyonville, Oregon
Canyonville is a city in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,293 at the 2000 census, while the 2007 estimate is 1,640 residents...
.