The Anatomy of a Creek

The meandering flow of Campbell Creek creates vital habitat for salmon and other aquatic life.

Several features you may identify as you travel along Campbell Creek are illustrated on the panel and include:

• Pools are the deepest sections in a creek, and usually have slower moving water. Salmon and other fish often rest in pools.
• Glides are relatively shallow, gravelly creek segments between pools and riffles. Salmon often spawn in glides. The fast, clear water keeps salmon eggs healthy.
• Riffles are shallow sections of the creek where the water flows quickly over a rocky surface, causing the water to ripple.
• Floodplains are flat or nearly flat land along creeks and rivers. During floods, water spreads out over the plain instead of eroding the main channel.
• Meanders are bends in the creek. Water on the outside of the curve flows faster than on the inside. The faster water erodes the outside bank and the slower water deposits sediment on the inside bank.
• Eddies occur when water flows around obstructions; the water reverses direction on the downstream side of the object and flows back upstream. Fish rest in eddies and watch for passing food.