Baron Fork of the Illinois River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baron Fork of the Illinois River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Location | Northwestern Arkansas, Northeastern Oklahoma |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Washington County, Arkansas 35°56′26″N 94°26′22″W / 35.94056°N 94.43944°W |
| River mouth | Illinois River (Oklahoma) 640 ft 35°51′03″N 94°54′50″W / 35.85083°N 94.91389°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,660 sq mi (4,300 km2) |
The Baron Fork of the Illinois River is a cool stream that flows through parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma in the United States. It's an important branch of the Illinois River. Sometimes, people call it Baron Fork River or even Barren Fork.
What's in a Name? The Baron Fork Story
Have you ever wondered why a river has a certain name? The Baron Fork has an interesting story! Official signs in Oklahoma call it "Baron Fork." This name became common around the 1970s.
Before that, many older maps and papers called the stream "Barren Fork." Experts say "Barren Fork" is actually more correct historically. Early explorers found that this creek sometimes had no water. Because it was "barren" (meaning empty or dry), they named it Barren Fork. Even the U.S. Geological Survey used "Barren Fork" until the 1970s.
There was even a community in Adair County, Oklahoma, called Barren Fork. It had a post office from 1895 to 1942. This community was named after the Barren Fork tributary of the Illinois River.
Where Does the Baron Fork Flow?
The Baron Fork starts in Washington County, Arkansas, south of Lincoln. It then flows southwest past Dutch Mills. It goes under Arkansas Highway 59.
Next, it heads west into Adair County, Oklahoma. It passes under U.S. Route 59 near Baron. Finally, it flows into Cherokee County, Oklahoma. The Baron Fork empties into the main Illinois River near a place called Welling, Oklahoma. This is just upstream from Lake Tenkiller.
This stream drains a large area of about 1,660 square miles (4,300 square kilometers) across both states. It's known as the biggest contributor of water to Oklahoma's Lake Tenkiller.
The Baron Fork has several smaller streams that flow into it. In Arkansas, it's Jordan Creek. In Oklahoma, these include Evansville Creek, Shell Branch, Peavine Creek, and Tyner Creek.
In 1970, the Oklahoma government named Baron Fork a "Scenic River." This means it's a special river protected for its natural beauty.
Fun on the Baron Fork: Fishing and More!
The Baron Fork is a great place for outdoor fun, especially fishing! It's a very popular spot for anglers. One news station even called it "one of Oklahoma's 10 best streams" for fishing.
The best places to access the creek for fishing are often found in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. People especially enjoy catching different types of bass here. You can find smallmouth bass, black bass, and sand bass in the Baron Fork. It's a perfect spot to cast a line and enjoy nature!
