Cedar Creek (North Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cedar Creek |
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USGS Gage House reflected in Cedar Creek, North Dakota
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Slope County, North Dakota 2,963 ft (903 m) 46°18′14″N 103°20′49″W / 46.3038889°N 103.3469444°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Cannonball River, Grant County, North Dakota 1,860 ft (570 m) 46°07′29″N 101°18′40″W / 46.1247222°N 101.3111111°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Cedar Creek → Cannonball → Missouri → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 1034769 |
Cedar Creek (sometimes called the Cedar River) is a small river in southwestern North Dakota, United States. It's a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. Cedar Creek flows into the Cannonball River.
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Where Does Cedar Creek Start?
Cedar Creek begins its journey in a special area called the badlands of Slope County, North Dakota. This is near a place called White Butte, south of the town of Amidon. The badlands are unique landscapes with lots of canyons, buttes, and dry terrain, often shaped by wind and water.
The Journey of the Creek
After starting in the badlands, Cedar Creek flows generally towards the southeast. It passes north of a place called Whetstone Butte. Then, it turns and flows east.
Flowing Through North Dakota
As it continues its path, Cedar Creek flows north of the Cedar River National Grassland. A grassland is a large area where grass is the main type of plant. This particular grassland is a protected area. The creek also forms the northern border of Sioux County and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Where Cedar Creek Ends
Finally, Cedar Creek meets the Cannonball River. This meeting point is called a confluence. It happens about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of a town called Shields. From there, the water from Cedar Creek joins the Cannonball River, which then flows into the much larger Missouri River. The Missouri River eventually joins the Mississippi River, and all that water travels all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
