Bull Creek (Lake Taneycomo) facts for kids

Bull Creek is a stream, which is like a small river, located in southern Missouri. It flows through two counties: Christian County and Taney County. This area is part of a beautiful region known as the Ozarks.

Where Does Bull Creek Begin?

Bull Creek starts its journey in the Ozarks, near a town called Sparta. This starting point is called its "headwaters." It's located on the southern edge of a high, flat area known as the Springfield Plateau. The creek begins at an elevation of about 1,370 feet (418 meters) above sea level.

The Journey of Bull Creek

From its starting point, Bull Creek flows mainly south and southwest. As it travels, it passes through parts of the Mark Twain National Forest. This is a large natural area with lots of trees and wildlife.

When the creek reaches Taney County, the land becomes less steep. Here, the creek starts to make many twists and turns. These big loops and curves are called "entrenched meanders."

Joining Other Waters

As Bull Creek continues its path, it flows past a small community called Walnut Shade. Here, a road called US 160 crosses over the creek with a bridge. Near Walnut Shade, another stream called Bear Creek flows into Bull Creek, adding more water to it.

Finally, Bull Creek reaches its end point. It flows into the White River and Lake Taneycomo. This happens southwest of a town called Rockaway Beach. The elevation where Bull Creek joins these waters is about 699 feet (213 meters) above sea level. At Walnut Shade, the creek usually carries about 224 cubic feet of water per second.

How Did Bull Creek Get Its Name?

People say that Bull Creek got its name a long time ago from the early settlers in the area. They used to hunt buffalo, especially buffalo bulls, in this region. So, the creek was named after these powerful animals that roamed the land.