Rock Creek (Catlow Valley) Explained

Rock Creek
Map Size:300
Pushpin Map:USA Oregon
Pushpin Map Size:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of the mouth of Rock Creek in Oregon
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:United States
Subdivision Type2:State
Subdivision Name2:Oregon
Subdivision Type4:County
Subdivision Name4:Lake, Harney
Length:56miles
Source1:Hart Mountain
Source1 Location:Lake County
Source1 Coordinates:42.4492°N -119.6925°W[1]
Source1 Elevation:6914feet[2]
Mouth:Catlow Valley
Mouth Location:Harney County
Mouth Coordinates:42.6614°N -119.1689°W
Mouth Elevation:4557feet
Basin Size:269sqmi

Rock Creek is a 56miles intermittent stream flowing in Lake and Harney counties in the U.S. state of Oregon.[3] The source of Rock Creek is at an elevation of on Hart Mountain,[2] while the mouth is at an elevation of in the Catlow Valley.[1] Rock Creek has a 269sqmi watershed.[4]

From its source northeast of Warner Peak, the creek flows generally northeast, with segments that flow generally north and others that flow generally east, across the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. The creek flows through Hot Springs Campground, where Bond Creek, a named tributary, enters from the right. The creek passes by Antelope Hot Springs downstream of the campground. Further downstream, it flows through the refuge headquarters, where it passes under Frenchglen Road. The creek then runs roughly parallel to Poker Jim Ridge, on the left, before heading east into Rock Creek Reservoir and then into Catlow Valley.[5] Catlow Valley is a closed basin, with no outlet to the sea.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 28, 1980. [{{gnis3|1126156}} Rock Creek]. September 3, 2010.
  2. Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  3. Web site: National Hydrography Dataset. United States Geological Survey. September 3, 2010.
  4. Web site: Watershed Boundary Dataset. USDA, NRCS, National Cartography and Geospatial Center. September 4, 2010.
  5. Web site: United States Topographic Map. United States Geological Survey. Acme Mapper. April 5, 2016.
  6. Web site: LaLande. Jeff. Catlow Valley. The Oregon Encyclopedia. Portland State University and the Oregon Historical Society. April 5, 2016.