Drift Creek (Siletz Bay)

Drift Creek is a tributary, about 18 miles (29 km) long, of Siletz Bay in the U.S. state of Oregon.[3] The creek begins near Stott Mountain in the Central Oregon Coast Range in Lincoln County and follows a winding course generally west through the Siuslaw National Forest to enter the bay south of Lincoln City on the Pacific Ocean. It passes under U.S. Route 101 just before reaching the bay.[4]

Drift Creek
Drift Creek Bridge formerly spanned the creek near the Oregon Coast
Drift Creek (Siletz Bay) is located in Oregon
Drift Creek (Siletz Bay)
Location of the mouth of Drift Creek in Oregon
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyLincoln
Physical characteristics
Sourcenear Stott Mountain
 • locationSiuslaw National Forest, Central Oregon Coast Range
 • coordinates44°56′53″N 123°47′10″W[1]
 • elevation2,767 ft (843 m)[2]
MouthSiletz River
 • location
Siletz Bay
 • coordinates
44°54′40″N 124°00′35″W[1]
 • elevation
7 ft (2.1 m)[1]
Length18 mi (29 km)[3]

Named tributaries of Drift Creek from source to mouth are Nelson, Fowler, Barn, Smith, Sampson, Wildcat, and North creeks. Then Quarry, Odell, Bluff, Gordey, and Anderson creeks.[4]

Covered bridge

Until being dismantled and destroyed in 1997 and rebuilt over Bear Creek, a Salmon River tributary to the north and further inland, the Drift Creek Bridge was the state's closest covered bridge to the ocean.[5] Drift Creek Park, managed by Lincoln County, remains open at the former bridge site along South Drift Creek Road. It consists of posted information about the bridge and directions to its new location.[6]

Recreation

Hiking

Drift Creek Falls Trail leads 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the Drift Creek Trailhead along Forest Road 17 to a 240-foot (73 m) suspension bridge overlooking Drift Creek Falls. The waterfall is 75 feet (23 m) high.[7]

Fishing

Drift Creek supports populations of cutthroat trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon. According to Fishing in Oregon, this creek and a Drift Creek in the Alsea River watershed are important in efforts to restore anadromous fish runs in Oregon. The stream has limited road access, and angling in the upper reaches requires hiking via Drift Creek Trail or logging roads. Much of the angling is catch-and-release.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Drift Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  2. Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  3. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness. Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-916473-15-5.
  4. "United States Topographic Map". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 23, 2016 – via Acme Mapper.
  5. "Drift Creek (Bear Creek) Covered Bridge" (PDF). Oregon Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  6. "Drift Creek Park". Lincoln County, Oregon. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  7. "Drift Creek Falls Trail #1378". United States Forest Service. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
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