Cow Creek (Kansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cow Creek |
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|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Big Cow Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| Region | Great Plains |
| City | Hutchinson, KS |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Near Beaver, KS, Great Plains, Kansas, United States 1,483 ft (452 m) 38°38′37″N 098°39′10″W / 38.64361°N 98.65278°W |
| River mouth | Arkansas River Hutchinson, Kansas, United States 452 ft (138 m) 37°58′47″N 097°50′24″W / 37.97972°N 97.84000°W |
| Length | 112 mi (180 km), East |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Arkansas River watershed |
| Basin size | 859.5 sq mi (2,226 km2) |
Cow Creek is a stream in Kansas, United States. It flows for about 112 miles (180 km) through Rice and Reno Counties. Cow Creek is a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. In this case, it flows into the Arkansas River. The spot where Cow Creek joins the Arkansas River is about ten miles southeast of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Exploring Cow Creek
Cow Creek starts near Beaver, Kansas, in the Great Plains region. It then travels across the land before meeting the Arkansas River. This creek is an important part of the local environment and history. It helps drain a large area of land, covering about 859.5 square miles (2,226 km²).
History Along the Creek
Cow Creek played a role in the history of the American West. In the 1850s, a famous person named Buffalo Bill Mathewson ran a trading post right where the Santa Fe Trail crossed Cow Creek. This trading post was known as "Buffalo Bill's Well."
The Santa Fe Trail was a very important route for trade and travel in the 19th century. It connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Places like Buffalo Bill's Well were vital stops for travelers and traders. They could get water, supplies, and rest before continuing their long journey. Today, you can find the location of this historic well about four miles west and one mile south of Lyons, Kansas.
