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Bear Creek (Kansas) facts for kids

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Bear Creek
Country United States
State Kansas
Region High Plains
Physical characteristics
Main source Western Baca County, High Plains, Colorado, United States
3,051 ft (930 m)
37°22′05″N 102°59′59″W / 37.36806°N 102.99972°W / 37.36806; -102.99972
River mouth Arkansas River
Near Lakin, Kansas, United States
93 ft (28 m)
37°50′42″N 101°19′21″W / 37.84500°N 101.32250°W / 37.84500; -101.32250
Basin features
River system Arkansas River watershed

Bear Creek is a small river that flows through parts of Colorado and Kansas in the United States. It is a "tributary," which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger river. For Bear Creek, that larger river is the famous Arkansas River.

Where Bear Creek Starts

Bear Creek begins its journey in a place called Baca County, Colorado. This area is part of the High Plains, which is a large, flat region in the central United States. The very beginning of a river is called its "headwaters."

Journey Through States

From its headwaters in Colorado, Bear Creek flows east. It soon crosses the state line and enters Kansas.

Flowing Through Kansas Counties

Once in Kansas, Bear Creek continues its path through several counties. These include Stanton County, Grant County, and Kearny County.

Where Bear Creek Ends

After its journey, Bear Creek meets the Arkansas River. This meeting point is about 8 miles southwest of a town called Lakin, Kansas. When two rivers join, it's called a "confluence."

Part of a Bigger System

Even though Bear Creek is a small river, it's an important part of a much larger water system. All the water from Bear Creek eventually joins the Arkansas River. The Arkansas River then flows into the Mississippi River, which eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. This whole network of rivers and streams is called a "watershed."

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