Cane Creek (Butler County, Missouri) facts for kids

Cane Creek is a stream located in the southeastern part of Missouri. It flows through Butler and Carter counties. This creek is an important part of the local natural environment.

Where Does Cane Creek Begin?

Cane Creek starts in Carter County. The place where a river or stream begins is called its headwaters. You can find the headwaters near the Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area. This area is part of the beautiful Mark Twain National Forest. It's located south of U.S. Route 60 and southeast of a town called Ellsinore.

How Does Cane Creek Flow?

From its starting point, Cane Creek flows generally towards the east. It goes under U.S. Route 60 and enters Butler County. The creek then passes north of a place called Brush Arbor.

The stream then turns southeast and goes under Route 60 again. After that, it turns south and flows under Missouri Route PP. This is west of the city of Poplar Bluff. Along its journey, Cane Creek is joined by another stream called Tenmile Creek. After this, Cane Creek leaves the national forest.

Joining Other Streams

Soon after, two more streams, Fletcher Branch and Wolf Creek, join Cane Creek. The creek continues flowing south, passing under U.S. Route 160 and U.S. Route 67. It then flows east of Harviell.

Cane Creek keeps moving south to southwest. It passes under Missouri Route 142 east of Neelyville. Finally, Cane Creek merges with a larger stream called Big Cane Creek. Eventually, it joins the Black River in Clay County, which is in northern Arkansas.

What's in the Name?

The name "Cane Creek" comes from something special that used to grow all along its banks. There were many large cane brakes in the area. Cane brakes are thick growths of tall, hollow-stemmed plants that look a bit like bamboo. These plants were very common along the stream, giving the creek its unique name.