Bowen Creek (Bourbeuse River tributary) facts for kids
Bowen Creek is a small waterway, also known as a stream, located in the state of Missouri, United States. This creek flows through three different counties: Phelps, Crawford, and Gasconade. It eventually joins a larger river called the Bourbeuse River, meaning it's a "tributary" to that river.
Discovering Bowen Creek
Bowen Creek is an important part of the natural landscape in central Missouri. It helps carry water across the land and supports local wildlife. Understanding where streams like Bowen Creek start and end helps us learn about the geography of an area.
Where Does it Start and End?
Every stream has a beginning, called its headwaters. For Bowen Creek, its headwaters are found in Crawford County, very close to the border with Phelps County. You can find this starting point at coordinates 38°05′39″N 91°31′30″W / 38.09417°N 91.52500°W.
From there, the creek flows generally north. It actually crosses back and forth between the Crawford and Phelps county lines several times! Eventually, it enters Gasconade County.
The journey of Bowen Creek ends when it meets the Bourbeuse River. This meeting point is called a confluence. The confluence of Bowen Creek and the Bourbeuse River is located at 38°09′59″N 91°32′28″W / 38.16639°N 91.54111°W. This spot is about 1.5 miles west of a place called Jake Prairie and two miles southeast of Redbird.
Who Was Colonel Bowen?
Bowen Creek is named after a person named Colonel Isaiah Bowen. He was a local "proprietor," which means he owned and ran a watermill in the area. Watermills used the power of flowing water to grind grain or do other work. Naming the creek after him was a way to honor his connection to the community and the land.
