Cow Creek (South Umpqua River tributary)
{{Short description|River in Oregon, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Cow Creek
| name_native =
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| name_other =
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| image = West Fork Bridge over Cow Creek (Oregon).jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_caption = West Fork Bridge over Cow Creek
| map = Umpqua River watershed.png
| map_size = 300
| map_caption = Map of the Umpqua River watershed including Cow Creek (the C-shaped watercourse near the bottom)
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size = 300
| pushpin_map_caption=
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = United States
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = Oregon
| subdivision_type3 =
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| subdivision_type4 =
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| subdivision_type5 =
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| length = {{convert|44|mi|km|abbr=on}}, East-west
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min = {{convert|7.4|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|856|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max = {{convert|38400|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| source1 = South Fork Cow Creek
| source1_location = A mile north of Round Top, Jackson County, Umpqua National Forest
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|42|43|34|N|122|59|44|W|display=inline}}{{Cite gnis|id=1155363|name=South Fork Cow Creek|entrydate=1986-05-22|accessdate=2010-08-23}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|4000|ft|abbr=on}}
| source2 = East Fork Cow Creek
| source2_location = Richter Mountain, Umpqua National Forest
| source2_coordinates= {{coord|42|46|02|N|122|55|53|W|display=inline}}{{Cite gnis|id=1141550|name=East Fork Cow Creek|accessdate=2010-08-23|entrydate=1980-11-28}}
| source2_elevation = {{convert|4500|ft|abbr=on}}
| source_confluence = About {{Convert|3|mi|km}} east-southeast of Devils Flat
| source_confluence_location = Umpqua National Forest, Douglas County
| source_confluence_coordinates= {{coord|42|48|06|N|122|59|26|W|display=inline}}{{cite gnis|id=1140278|name=Cow Creek|entrydate=1980-11-28|accessdate=2010-08-23}}
| source_confluence_elevation = {{convert|2402|ft|abbr=on}}
| mouth = South Umpqua River
| mouth_location = Canyonville, Douglas County
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|42|56|49|N|123|20|16|W|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|636|ft|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system = South Umpqua River
| basin_size = {{convert|456|sqmi|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2009/pdfs/14310000.2009.pdf|title=USGS Gage #14310000 on Cow Creek near Riddle, Oregon –– Water-Data Report 2009|publisher=United States Geological Survey|work=National Water Information System|year=2009|accessdate=2010-08-23}}
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}}
Cow Creek is a medium-sized river in southwestern Oregon, a tributary of the South Umpqua River. It drains an area of over {{convert|400|mi2|km2}} on the western foothills of the Cascade Range and within the Oregon Coast Range. Although the vast majority of the basin is within Douglas County, a tiny portion in the southeast extends into northern Jackson County.
Course
The stream rises in the Umpqua National Forest at the confluence of South Fork Cow Creek and East Fork Cow Creek. The south fork, which is much larger, is sometimes considered the main stem. In its first few miles the creek flows west through an agricultural valley and through Galesville Reservoir. Cow Creek runs alongside Interstate 5 for several miles and receives Windy Creek from the right at Glendale, Oregon. The stream then bends northwest into a canyon, receiving West Fork Cow Creek on the left and Middle Creek from the right. It then continues northwards, bending steadily eastwards and doubling back on its former course. The river emerges from the mountains near Riddle, and bends sharply south around a ridge, joining the South Umpqua about {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} west of Canyonville.{{Cite map
|publisher=ACME Mapper|title=USGS Topo Maps for United States|cartography=United States Geological Survey
|accessdate=2010-08-23|url=http://mapper.acme.com/}}