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Big Creek (Kansas) facts for kids

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Big Creek
Country United States
State Kansas
Physical characteristics
Main source Gove County, Kansas
2,986 ft (910 m)
39°06′43″N 100°44′57″W / 39.11194°N 100.74917°W / 39.11194; -100.74917
River mouth Smoky Hill River
Russell County, Kansas
1,713 ft (522 m)
38°47′25″N 98°55′10″W / 38.79028°N 98.91944°W / 38.79028; -98.91944
Length 221 mi (356 km)
Basin features
Basin size 862 sq mi (2,230 km2)
Watersheds Big-Smoky Hill-Kansas-Missouri-Mississippi

Big Creek is a stream in the central United States. It flows for about 221-mile (356 km) (356 km). This stream is a tributary, which means it's a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one. Big Creek flows into the Smoky Hill River. Its entire journey is within the state of Kansas.

About Big Creek

Big Creek starts in the northwestern part of Kansas. This area is known as the High Plains. Its very beginning is in Gove County.

Where Does Big Creek Flow?

From its start, Big Creek generally flows towards the east-southeast. It travels through an area called the Smoky Hills. Finally, it joins the Smoky Hill River in southwestern Russell County.

Big Creek and Nearby Towns

As Big Creek makes its way, it passes through a few towns. In Ellis County, Kansas, the creek flows through the cities of Ellis and Hays.

In Ellis, the creek has a dam built across it. This dam creates a small lake called Big Creek Lake. When the creek reaches Hays, it runs right through the campus of Fort Hays State University.

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