Bills Creek (West Fork Black River tributary) facts for kids
Bills Creek is a small stream located in the beautiful Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, USA. It flows through Iron and Reynolds counties. This creek is a 'tributary' of the West Fork of the Black River. A tributary is like a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one.
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Where is Bills Creek?
The journey of Bills Creek begins in the southwestern part of Iron County. This starting point is called the 'headwaters'. It's about one mile southwest of a place called Buick. At this spot, the land is quite high, around 1,350 feet above sea level. You can find its exact starting location using coordinates: 37°35′33″N 91°08′30″W / 37.59250°N 91.14167°W.
How Does Bills Creek Flow?
From its headwaters, Bills Creek generally flows towards the southwest. It then enters Reynolds County and continues its path south for about seven miles. Its journey ends when it joins the West Fork of the Black River. This meeting point is called a 'confluence'.
The Confluence Point
The confluence of Bills Creek with the West Fork is about 1.5 miles west of a community named West Fork. At this point, the elevation is lower, around 942 feet above sea level. The exact coordinates for where Bills Creek meets the West Fork are 37°29′52″N 91°08′24″W / 37.49778°N 91.14000°W.
Who Was Bills Creek Named After?
Bills Creek got its name from an early settler in the area. The creek is named after a pioneer citizen known as Bill Messer. Many natural features like rivers and mountains are named after important people who lived in or explored the area a long time ago.