Moxlie Creek

Moxlie Creek
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Etymology	R. W. Moxlie, settler
Location
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Thurston County
Physical characteristics
Source	Watershed Park
• coordinates	47°02′19″N122°53′28″W / 47.03861°N 122.89111°W / 47.03861; -122.89111
Mouth	East Bay, Budd Inlet
Length	1.8 miles (2.9 km)
Basin size	1,472 acres (596 ha)
Basin features
Geographic Names Information System	1506854 [1]

Moxlie Creek is a stream in Thurston County in the U.S. state of Washington. The creek is located in the state capitol of Olympia and originates from artesian springs in Watershed Park. The stream flows north into the East Bay of Budd Inlet. ^[2]

History

Moxlie Creek was named after R. W. Moxlie, an early settler. ^[3]

For over 50 years the park groundwater was used to supply the city's drinking water, and waterworks remnants can be seen in the area. ^[4]

Course and watershed

More than a third of the creek's 1.8-mile (2.9 km) length is piped underground between the headwaters at Watershed Park and its terminus at East Bay of Budd Inlet. ^[4]

The 1,472-acre (596 ha) watershed extends southeast to Boulevard and Log Cabin Roads, west to portions of the South Capitol Neighborhood, and east to the top of the 4th Avenue hill.^{[ citation needed ]}

Environment and ecology

Fecal coliform bacteria and other contaminants have been detected in the creek water. ^[5] Occasionally, Chinook salmon, coho, and cutthroat trout can be found in the section of creek within the park; salmon are often spotted in September and October.

See also

• List of geographic features in Thurston County, Washington

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Moxlie Creek
2. "Thurston County Place Names: A Heritage Guide" (PDF). Thurston County Historical Commission. 1992. p. 55. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
3. Meany, Edmond S. (1923). Origin of Washington geographic names. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 180.
4. "Moxlie Creek Watershed". City of Olympia. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
5. "303(d) Impaired waterbody history report for WA1228904470398_0.597". Watershed assessment, tracking, and environmental results. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.