Afton Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Afton Run |
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Location of Afton Run mouth
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to Coddle Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Cabarrus |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mill Creek divide about 2 miles west of Kannapolis, North Carolina 790 ft (240 m) 35°29′20″N 080°40′39″W / 35.48889°N 80.67750°W |
| River mouth | Coddle Creek about 3 miles west of Concord, North Carolina 589 ft (180 m) 35°24′31″N 080°40′29″W / 35.40861°N 80.67472°W |
| Length | 6.13 mi (9.87 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | south |
| River system | Pee Dee River |
| Basin size | 6.07 square miles (15.7 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Bridges | Mooresville Road, Dogwood Boulevard, Trinity Church Road, Kannapolis Parkway, NC 73, I-85 |
Afton Run is a small stream, also called a "tributary," in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. It flows for about 6.13 miles (9.87 km). Afton Run is special because it's the only stream with this name in the entire United States. It eventually flows into a larger stream called Coddle Creek.
What's in a Name?
Sometimes, rivers and streams have more than one name. This can happen over time as maps are made or people use different local names. The Geographic Names Information System helps keep track of these names. For Afton Run, it has also been known as:
- Ashton Branch
- Astin's Branch
Where Does Afton Run Flow?
Afton Run starts, or "rises," about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Kannapolis, North Carolina. From there, it flows mostly south. It continues its journey until it joins Coddle Creek. This meeting point is about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Concord.
Understanding the Watershed
A watershed is like a big bowl or area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common stream, river, or lake. The Afton Run watershed covers about 6.07 square miles (15.72 square kilometers).
- Rainfall: This area gets about 46.9 inches (119 cm) of rain each year.
- Wetness: Scientists use something called a "wetness index" to describe how wet an area is. Afton Run's watershed has a wetness index of 411.40. This number helps experts understand how water moves through the land.
- Forests: About 32% of the land in the Afton Run watershed is covered by forests. Forests are important because they help keep the water clean and provide homes for wildlife.
