Boulder Creek (Colorado) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boulder Creek
Physical characteristics
Main source	Confluence of North Boulder Creek and Middle Boulder Creek 40°00′15″N 105°24′21″W / 40.00417°N 105.40583°W / 40.00417; -105.40583
River mouth	Confluence with Saint Vrain 4,852 ft (1,479 m) 40°09′33″N 105°00′35″W / 40.15917°N 105.00972°W / 40.15917; -105.00972
Basin features
Progression	Saint Vrain—South Platte—Platte— Missouri—Mississippi

Boulder Creek is a 31.4-mile-long (50.5 km) creek in Colorado. It flows from the Rocky Mountains through the city of Boulder and into the plains.

Where Does Boulder Creek Flow?

Boulder Creek starts from two main streams high up in the mountains. These streams are called North Boulder Creek and Middle Boulder Creek. They begin near the Continental Divide. This is a line of mountains where water flows to either the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. Later, another stream called South Boulder Creek joins them.

North Boulder Creek

North Boulder Creek starts in a valley between Navajo Peak and Arikaree Peak. It flows for about 17.8 miles (28.6 km) (28.6 km). This stream passes by a small community called Switzerland Park. Then, it meets up with Middle Boulder Creek.

Middle Boulder Creek

Middle Boulder Creek also begins high on the Continental Divide. It has two parts, a North Fork and a South Fork. The North Fork flows about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) (12.1 km) from Mount Neva. The South Fork flows about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) (8.9 km) from Rollins Pass.

After these two parts join, Middle Boulder Creek flows for 13.7 miles (22.0 km) (22.0 km). It goes through the towns of Eldora and Nederland. It then flows into Barker Meadow Reservoir, which holds water for Boulder city. Finally, it joins North Boulder Creek to form the main Boulder Creek.

South Boulder Creek

The main Boulder Creek starts where North and Middle Boulder creeks meet. It flows through a narrow valley called Boulder Canyon. Then it goes right through downtown Boulder. On the east side of the city, South Boulder Creek joins in.

South Boulder Creek starts at Rogers Pass on the Continental Divide. It flows for about 40.0 miles (64.4 km) (64.4 km). This stream passes through Rollinsville and Gross Reservoir. It also goes through Eldorado Canyon before leaving the mountains. It then curves around Boulder city and joins Boulder Creek.

Journey to the Ocean

After leaving Boulder, the creek flows northeast into Weld County. Here, it joins St. Vrain Creek. From there, its waters flow into the Platte River. Eventually, the water travels into the Missouri River, then the Mississippi River. All this water finally reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

Fun Things to Do

Boulder Creek is a popular place for outdoor fun in the summer. Many people enjoy tubing down the creek. Others like to go fly fishing or just wade in the water.

Every year, the Boulder Creek Festival happens along the creek. It takes place near the library and Central Park. This festival kicks off the summer season on Memorial Day weekend.

Fish You Might Find

Scientists have studied the fish in Boulder Creek. They found many different kinds of fish living there. Some of these fish are naturally found in Colorado, while others were brought here.

Here are some of the fish species found in Boulder Creek:

Common name	Scientific name	Native to Colorado?	Image
Sand shiner	Notropis stramineus	Yes
Iowa darter	Etheostoma exile	Yes
White sucker	Catostomus commersoni	Yes
Creek chub	Semotilus atromaculatus	Yes
Longnose sucker	Catostomus catostomus	Yes
Fathead minnow	Pimephalus promelas	Yes
Longnose dace	Rhinichthys cataractae	Yes
Largemouth bass	Micropterus salmoides	No
Bluegill	Lepomis macrochirus	No
Common carp	Cyprinus carpio	No
Yellow perch	Perca flavescens	No
Plains topminnow	Fundulus sciadicus	Yes
Black crappie	Promoxis nigromaculatus	No
Brown trout	Salmo trutta	No
Rainbow trout	Oncorhynchus mykiss	No
Cutbow trout	Oncorhynchus clarkia × mykiss	No
Golden shiner	Notemigonus crysoleucas	No
Green sunfish	Lepomis cyanellus	Yes
Pumpkinseed	Lepomis gibbosus	No
Western mosquitofish	Gambusia affinis	No
Central stoneroller	Campostoma anomalum	Yes
Orangespotted sunfish	Lepomis humilis	Yes