Bear Creek (Sac River tributary) facts for kids
Bear Creek is a lovely stream located in the beautiful Ozarks region of southwest Missouri. It flows through parts of Dade and Polk counties. This stream is a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. Bear Creek eventually joins the Sac River.
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Discovering Bear Creek
Bear Creek is an important part of the natural landscape in southwest Missouri. It helps shape the land and provides a home for many plants and animals. Understanding where a stream starts and ends helps us learn about its journey.
Where Does Bear Creek Begin?
The journey of Bear Creek begins in Polk County. The very start of a stream is called its headwaters. For Bear Creek, its headwaters are located south of the town of Bolivar, near a small community called Karlin. You can find its starting point at 37°33′37″N 93°24′53″W / 37.56028°N 93.41472°W.
Where Does Bear Creek End?
From its source, Bear Creek flows generally towards the northwest. It passes under important roads like Missouri Route 123 and Missouri Route 32, especially south and west of the town of Fair Play. The stream also flows northeast of a place called Bearcreek.
Bear Creek continues its path, eventually turning west. Its journey ends when it meets the Sac River. This meeting point is called a confluence. The confluence with the Sac River is in Dade County, about two miles north of the Stockton Lake dam, near Stockton. This spot is at an elevation of 764 feet and can be found at 37°43′01″N 93°44′56″W / 37.71694°N 93.74889°W.
Why is it Called Bear Creek?
The name "Bear Creek" is quite interesting! It comes from a time long ago when people first settled in this area. During that period, there were many, many bears living near the stream. The early settlers often saw bears in the vicinity, so they decided to name the stream after these furry creatures. It's a reminder of the wildlife that once thrived, and still does, in the Ozarks.
