Whychus Creek
| Whychus Creek | |
|---|---|
Location of the mouth of Whychus Creek in Oregon | |
| Etymology | Native American (Indian) name for the creek, according to 19th-century surveyor, Robert S. Williamson |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Deschutes and Jefferson |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Broken Top, Cascade Range |
| • location | Deschutes National Forest, Deschutes County |
| • coordinates | 44°05′21″N 121°41′36″W / 44.08917°N 121.69333°W |
| • elevation | 7,617 ft (2,322 m) |
| Mouth | Deschutes River |
• location | Crooked River National Grassland, Jefferson County |
• coordinates | 44°27′35″N 121°20′07″W / 44.45972°N 121.33528°W |
• elevation | 2,110 ft (640 m) |
| Basin size | 253 sq mi (660 km2) |
| Type | Wild, Scenic |
| Designated | October 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.