Big Creek (Northwest Missouri) facts for kids
Big Creek is a stream that flows through Harrison and Daviess counties in northern Missouri. It is a smaller stream that flows into a larger one called the Grand River.
Contents
Big Creek: A Missouri Stream
Big Creek is an important part of the natural landscape in northern Missouri. It helps carry water across the land and eventually into the larger Grand River. Understanding streams like Big Creek helps us learn about the geography and environment of a region.
Where Does Big Creek Start and End?
Every stream has a beginning, called its source, and an end, where it joins another body of water, called its confluence.
Big Creek starts in the southwest part of Harrison County. It forms when two smaller streams, the West Fork Big Creek and the East Fork Big Creek, come together. This meeting point is located near the town of Bethany. The land here is about 838 feet (255 meters) above sea level. You can find its exact starting spot using these coordinates: 40°15′59″N 94°03′09″W / 40.26639°N 94.05250°W.
The creek then flows until it meets the Grand River. This meeting point, or confluence, is in the northwest part of Daviess County. It's about two miles southeast of Pattonsburg and just west of I-35. At this point, the elevation is about 771 feet (235 meters) above sea level. The coordinates for its end are: 40°01′30″N 94°06′23″W / 40.02500°N 94.10639°W.
Why is it Called Big Creek?
The name "Big Creek" probably comes from how the stream behaves. After heavy rainstorms, Big Creek tends to flood the fields and areas next to it. This means the water overflows its banks and spreads out, making the creek seem "big" because of the large area it covers.
What is a Stream?
A stream is a small, flowing body of water. It's usually smaller than a river. Streams are important because they carry water from higher ground to lower ground. They also provide homes for many plants and animals.
What is a Tributary?
A tributary is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or river. Big Creek is a tributary of the Grand River. Think of it like a smaller branch joining a bigger tree trunk. Tributaries help collect water from a wider area and bring it to the main river.
