Bonne Femme Creek (Howard County, Missouri) facts for kids
Bonne Femme Creek is a cool stream in Missouri, a state in the United States. It flows through Howard and Randolph counties. This stream is a "tributary," which means it's like a smaller river that flows into a much bigger one – in this case, the mighty Missouri River.
Bonne Femme Creek: A Missouri Stream
Bonne Femme Creek is an interesting part of Missouri's natural landscape. It helps carry water across the land and eventually into one of the longest rivers in North America, the Missouri River.
Where Does It Start and End?
Every stream has a beginning, and for Bonne Femme Creek, that's in Randolph County. It starts about two miles west of a town called Higbee. This starting point, often called the "headwaters," is about 850 feet above sea level.
From there, the stream flows southwest. It then enters Howard County and continues its journey. It passes by the eastern side of Fayette and then goes past New Franklin.
As it gets closer to the Missouri River, Bonne Femme Creek enters the wide, flat area known as the Missouri River floodplain. It then turns southeast, flowing under U.S. Route 40. Finally, it reaches its "confluence" with the Missouri River. A confluence is where two rivers or streams meet and join together. This meeting point is about two miles east of Boonville, at an elevation of 574 feet. 38°58′41″N 92°39′57″W / 38.97806°N 92.66583°W
What's in a Name?
The name "Bonne Femme Creek" comes from the French language. In French, "Bonne Femme" means "good woman."
Historians believe this name might be a very old translation. It could come from an Omaha language word that also meant "good woman." This might have referred to the wife of an important Native American religious leader from the past. It's cool how a stream's name can tell us a little bit about history!
