Coldwater River (Branch County) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coldwater River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Branch County, Michigan |
| River mouth | St. Joseph River |
The Coldwater River is a 29.5-mile (about 47.5 km) long stream located in the U.S. state of Michigan. It begins in Branch County, specifically in Ovid Township. The river's journey starts as water flowing out of Coldwater Lake at 41°50′14″N 84°59′13″W / 41.83722°N 84.98694°W.
As the river flows, it heads north and then west. It is joined by water from the Lake of the Woods. The Coldwater River then continues north for several miles. West of the city of Coldwater, the river flows through a series of lakes. These include South Lake, Messenger Lake, Cemetery Lake, North Lake, Randall Lake, Morrison Lake, Craig Lake, and Hodunk Pond. After these lakes, it continues to the northwest. Finally, it empties into the St. Joseph River in the village of Union City at 42°03′58″N 85°07′48″W / 42.06611°N 85.13000°W.
Contents
River's Home: The Drainage Basin
A river's drainage basin is like its "home" area. It's all the land where rain and snow melt flow into that river and its smaller streams. The Coldwater River's drainage basin covers almost the entire eastern half of Branch County. It also includes parts of Allen and Reading townships in western Hillsdale County.
River Friends: Major Tributaries
Tributaries are smaller streams or rivers that flow into a larger river. Think of them as the "friends" that join the main river on its journey. Here are some of the main tributaries that flow into the Coldwater River:
Hog Creek
Hog Creek flows into the Coldwater River near Hodunk, Michigan.
- North Branch Hog Creek: This branch starts in Butler Township.
- South Branch Hog Creek: This branch begins from a group of lakes in eastern Reading Township in Hillsdale County.
- Bagley Creek: This creek starts in Quincy Township, just north of the village of Quincy.
- Bowen Creek: This creek begins in the southwest corner of Litchfield Township in Hillsdale County.
- Little Hog Creek: This creek starts in the northeast corner of Reading Township in Hillsdale County.
Other Important Tributaries
- Miller Lake Outflow: Water flowing out of Miller Lake in northeast Batavia Township joins the Coldwater River.
- Cold Creek (Mud Creek): This creek flows into North Lake. It starts in southeast Butler Township.
- Sauk River (East Branch Coldwater River): This river flows into South Lake. It begins from the water flowing out of Marble Lake in Quincy Township.
- A group of lakes in Quincy, Algansee, and Ovid Township connect to the Sauk River. These include Marble Lake, Middle Lake, Lake Bartholomew, Mud Lake, and Long Lake. These lakes also connect to Coldwater Lake to the south, which is where the main Coldwater River starts.
- Fisher Creek: This creek flows into Marble Lake. It starts in northeast California Township.
- Tallahassee Creek (Tallahassee Drain): This creek flows into Mud Lake. It starts in California Township, just north of Ray.
- A group of lakes in Quincy, Algansee, and Ovid Township connect to the Sauk River. These include Marble Lake, Middle Lake, Lake Bartholomew, Mud Lake, and Long Lake. These lakes also connect to Coldwater Lake to the south, which is where the main Coldwater River starts.
