Whychus Creek

Whychus Creek
Location of the mouth of Whychus Creek in Oregon
EtymologyNative American (Indian) name for the creek, according to 19th-century surveyor, Robert S. Williamson
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyDeschutes and Jefferson
Physical characteristics
SourceBroken Top, Cascade Range
  locationDeschutes National Forest, Deschutes County
  coordinates44°05′21″N 121°41′36″W / 44.08917°N 121.69333°W / 44.08917; -121.69333
  elevation7,617 ft (2,322 m)
MouthDeschutes River
  location
Crooked River National Grassland, Jefferson County
  coordinates
44°27′35″N 121°20′07″W / 44.45972°N 121.33528°W / 44.45972; -121.33528
  elevation
2,110 ft (640 m)
Basin size253 sq mi (660 km2)
TypeWild, Scenic
DesignatedOctober 28, 1988

Whychus Creek is a tributary of the Deschutes River in Deschutes and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Formerly named Squaw Creek, considered derogatory in the 21st century, it was renamed in 2006. Explorer John C. Frémont camped along the stream in 1843 but did not identify it by name. Robert S. Williamson, a surveyor who camped there in 1855, said its Indian (Native American) name was Why-chus.