Catherine Creek
Catherine Creek is a 32.4-mile-long (52.1 km) creek in northeastern Oregon, United States. A tributary of the Grande Ronde River, it is the second-longest stream in the Grande Ronde Valley. Originating in the foothills of the Wallowa Mountains, it flows generally northwest through Catherine Creek State Park and the city of Union before joining the river.
| Catherine Creek | |
|---|---|
Location of the mouth of Catherine Creek in Oregon | |
| Etymology | Catherine Godley, daughter of early settlers near Union |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Union |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Wallowa–Whitman National Forest |
| • coordinates | 45°07′12″N 117°38′50″W |
| • elevation | 3,650 ft (1,110 m) |
| Mouth | Grande Ronde River |
• location | near Cove |
• coordinates | 45°18′49″N 117°52′20″W |
• elevation | 2,690 ft (820 m) |
| Length | 32.4 mi (52.1 km) |
| Basin size | 489 sq mi (1,270 km2) |
The creek was named for Catherine Godley, a daughter of Thomas and M. E. Godley, who settled near Union in the 19th century. A former variant name for the stream on some maps was Ladd Creek. However, Ladd Creek on more recent maps is a stream flowing generally northeast from hills southeast of La Grande through the Ladd Marsh Game Management Area, joining Gekeler Slough before entering Catherine Creek. Little Creek, a tributary of Catherine Creek, was formerly called Julianna Creek for the Godleys' other daughter.