Pringle Creek consists of a network of small streams with courses greatly altered since the 19th century by urban development. The streams flow on the surface in places, in pipes and
culverts in other places, and have been otherwise modified by artificial inflows and diversions. West Fork Pringle Creek begins in
springs southwest of the
main stem and flows generally north and slightly east to its confluence with East Fork Pringle Creek near 14th Street and Oxford Street. East Fork Pringle Creek and West Middle Fork Pringle Creek drain farm fields near
Interstate 5 southeast of downtown Salem. East Fork Pringle Creek flows generally northwest, receiving the north-flowing West Middle Fork from the
left slightly upstream of the larger stream's confluence with West Fork Pringle Creek. Clark Creek, another small tributary rising south of the city's center, enters Pringle Creek from the left at
Bush's Pasture Park. Pringle Creek then flows between the park and
Deepwood Estate, crosses under Mission Street, flows between Salem Cardiology and the site of the former
Oregon School for the Blind on the left and
Salem Hospital and Pringle Park on the
right. After passing under the hospital, the creek receives
Shelton Ditch, which carries water diverted from
Mill Creek, from the right. Pringle Creek then flows through Pringle Plaza to Mirror Pond, where the Mill Race, another diversion from Mill Creek, enters from the right. The combined waters then flow under a small bridge on Commercial Street and past a modern apartment complex that sits on land that was previously occupied by a
Boise Cascade mill. The creek then empties into Willamette Slough on the Willamette River. ==Watershed==