"Chenoweth Creek Bridge marks the eastern end of the Columbia River Highway Historic District."

Lyn Topinka, Columbia River Images: Chenoweth Creek, Oregon

HMP 88.0 ... Chenoweth Creek Bridge (1920)

"This bridge is a 60-foot reinforced-concrete deck girder span consisting of three 20-foot multi-beam spans. Its original reinforced-concrete parapet rails have been replaced with steel "W" rail. Chenoweth Creek Bridge marks the eastern end of the CRH Historic District." [National Historic Landmark Nomination Form, 1996]

"This reinforced concrete bridge is 60 feet long and consist of three 20-foot multi-beam spans. ... The bridge is near The Dalles city limits and is the eastern terminus of the historic district." [National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, 1983]

Chenoweth Creek rises in the hills west of The Dalles and merges with the Columbia River at Columbia River Mile (RM) 187, approximately two miles southeast of Crates Point. Upstream of Chenoweth Creek is Rock Fort, Mill Creek, and The Dalles. Downstream is Crates Point and Squally Point.

Chenoweth Creek

Chenoweth Creek was named for Justin Chenoweth, an Oregon pioneer who was born in Illinois and headed west in 1849.

In the early years of the Oregon Trail, pioneers would use the quiet harbor at the mouth of Chenoweth Creek as their embarking area for their final journey down the Columbia River. The rested their stock as they built rafts. Beginning in 1846 the Oregon Trail pioneers had the option of using the Barlow Road around the south side of Mount Hood and the stopping place at Chenoweth Creek became less important.

According to "Oregon Geographic Names" (2003, McArthur and McArthur):

"Chenoweth Creek (WASCO) ... Chenoweth Creek rises in the hills west of The Dalles, and after flowing across Chenoweth Flat reaches the Columbia River southeast of Crates Point. This stream was named for Justin Chenoweth, who was a prominent pioneer of Oregon. ... He settled on a claim west of The Dalles and carried the mail between The Dalles and the Cascades in a small boat. He was actively engaged in surveying public lands, both as a private surveyor and as United States surveyor at the Vancouver land office. His cousin, Francis A. Chenoweth, was one of the promoters of the tramway at the Cascades, and it is a family tradition that Justin surveyed the line. He left The Dalles about 1866. He died in Portland March 16, 1898. ... Nathan Olney owned a store near Crates Point before Chenoweth settled there, and Chenoweth Creek was then known as Olney Creek, but that name did not persist. The name of the geographic feature near The Dalles is frequently spelled Chenowith, but the USBGN has officiallly adopted the form Chenoweth. Dr. William C. McKay was authority for the statement that the Wasco name for the locality of Chenoweth Creek was Thlemit, which means a caving or washing away of the banks."

In 1867 Justin Chenoweth was granted a Donation Land Claim of 320.77 acres west of The Dalles in T2N R13E, parts of Sections 19, 20, 29, and 30 (1850 Oregon-Donation Act).

In 1915 the U.S. Board of Geographic Names made "Chenoweth Creek" the official spelling over "Chenowith Creek". An even earlier name for the creek was "Olney Creek", after Nathan Olney who owned a store near Crates Point before Justin Chenoweth arrived.

The Oregon Trail and Chenoweth Creek ...

Early Oregon Trail pioneers used the protected harbor at the mouth of Chenoweth Creek as a embarking area for the 83-mile journey down the Columbia River to Fort Vancouver. [More]

They rested their stock as they built rafts. Beginning in 1846 the Oregon Trail pioneers had the option of using the Barlow Road around the south side of Mount Hood and the stopping place at Chenoweth Creek became less important.

"... The last of the emigrants had just left the Dalles at the time of our arrival, traveling some by water and others by land, making ark-like rafts, on which they had embarked their families and households, with their large wagons and other furniture, while their stock were driven along the shore. ..." [John C. Fremont, November 6, 1843]

"At Crates Point, a protected harbor at the mouth of Chenoweth Creek, the Oregon Trail pioneers put into the river. John McLoughlin, despite orders from his superiors, sent bateaux and food here to assist (and occasionally rescue) weary emigrants. Nearby were many pine trees to cut for building immense rafts that could hold up to six wagons. Writing in 1843, explorer John C. Fremont described them as 'ark-like rafts, on which they had embarked their families and households, with their large wagons and other furniture, while their stock were driven along the shore.'" Source: Oregon-California Trails Association website, 2011, "The Dalles, Oregon, End of the Old Oregon Trail".

ODOT, U.S. 30: Mosier Creek, Dry Canyon Creek and Chenoweth Creek Bridges

Project Completed - Region 4: Central Oregon (Mosier, The Dalles, Wasco)

​The section of U.S. 30 from the City of Mosier to the west end of The Dalles is part of the Historic Columbia River Highway and is designated as a Scenic Byway and All American Road. Although not a high-volume travel route, the highway has great historical significance and provides access to agricultural lands, tourist attractions, such as the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, and an ​increasing volume of cyclists.​​

US 30 Chenoweth Creek Bridge

• Replace the existing structure and install a bridge railing fitting to the bridge's original 1920s design.
• Restore the stream channel below the bridge to better accommodate fish passage.

What Problem Will This Improve?

US 30 Chenoweth Creek Bridge

​The Chenoweth Creek Bridge was also built in 1920 and included an ornamental concrete bridge rail. Since its construction, substantial modifications have occurred to the bridge, including replacement of the concrete rail with a guardrail system that no longer meets standards or fits with the nature of this Scenic Byway. According to the latest bridge inspection report there is cracking throughout the concrete members and scouring of the stream channel below the bridge which could cause the structure to become unstable. Significant concrete patching of the girders and crossbeams has occurred over the years in efforts to maintain this structure​.

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