Cat Creek (Missouri) facts for kids
Cat Creek is a small river, also called a stream. It flows through two counties in Missouri: Grundy County and Harrison County. This stream eventually joins a bigger river called the Thompson River, making it a "tributary." A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one.
Where Does Cat Creek Begin?
Every stream starts somewhere! Cat Creek begins in Harrison County. Its starting point, called its "headwaters," is near a road called US Route 136. This spot is about ten miles east of a town named Bethany. The land here is about 965 feet high.
Cat Creek's Journey
From its start, Cat Creek flows generally south and then southeast. It travels through a special place called the Wayne Hellton Memorial Wildlife Area. After that, it turns and flows east. It even goes under a road, Missouri Route CC.
The stream then enters the northwest part of Grundy County. It continues flowing until it meets the Thompson River. This meeting point is called a "confluence." The confluence of Cat Creek and the Thompson River is about 1.5 miles west of where Cat Creek enters Grundy County. At this point, the elevation is about 771 feet.
How Did Cat Creek Get Its Name?
People believe Cat Creek got its name because of the wildcats that used to live in the area. Imagine wildcats roaming near the stream!
