Thomas Creek (Linn County, Oregon)
| Thomas Creek | |
|---|---|
Hannah Bridge over Thomas Creek | |
| Etymology | 19th-century settler Frederick Thomas |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Linn County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Willamette National Forest |
| • location | southwest of Detroit Lake |
| • coordinates | 44°39′59″N 122°18′54″W / 44.66639°N 122.31500°W |
| • elevation | 3,734 ft (1,138 m) |
| Mouth | South Santiam River |
• location | west of Scio |
• coordinates | 44°40′39″N 122°58′19″W / 44.67750°N 122.97194°W |
| Length | 35 mi (56 km) |
| Basin size | 117 sq mi (300 km2) |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Scio, Oregon |
| • average | 487 cu ft/s (13.8 m3/s) |
| • minimum | 3.4 cu ft/s (0.096 m3/s) |
| • maximum | 27,400 cu ft/s (780 m3/s) |
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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.