Blay Creek facts for kids
Blay Creek is a small stream located in the U.S. state of Missouri. It flows through two counties: St. Francois County and Washington County. A stream is like a small river. Blay Creek is a tributary of the Big River, which means it flows into the Big River.
Blay Creek's Journey
Blay Creek begins in eastern Washington County, Missouri. Its starting point, also known as its headwaters, is located east of a town called Summit. From there, the stream flows generally towards the southeast.
As it travels, Blay Creek runs roughly alongside Missouri Route 8. This is a state road that connects different areas. The creek continues its journey until it reaches St. Francois County.
Soon after entering St. Francois County, Blay Creek meets and joins the Big River. This meeting point is called a confluence. The confluence of Blay Creek and the Big River is about three miles (or five kilometers) west of Leadwood.
Where Blay Creek Starts and Ends
The exact location of Blay Creek's headwaters (where it begins) is 37°54′46″N 90°41′46″W / 37.91278°N 90.69611°W. This is a set of geographic coordinates that pinpoint the spot on a map.
The place where Blay Creek joins the Big River (its confluence) is at 37°52′12″N 90°38′20″W / 37.87000°N 90.63889°W. These coordinates help people find the exact spot where the two waterways meet.
How Blay Creek Got Its Name
Sometimes, a place has more than one name. Blay Creek was also known as "Blays Creek" in the past.
It is believed that the stream was named after an early settler in the area. This pioneer citizen might have been someone named Joseph Blay. Naming natural features after important local figures was a common practice long ago.
