Deep Fork River facts for kids
The Deep Fork River is a river in Oklahoma. It's a branch of the North Canadian River. The river starts in northern Oklahoma City and flows into Lake Eufaula.
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About the Deep Fork River
Where the River Flows
The Deep Fork River begins near northern Oklahoma City. It flows east through Oklahoma County. About five miles of the river are held back by Arcadia Lake. After the lake, the river goes into Lincoln County. It then winds through Creek and Okfuskee counties. Next, it enters Okmulgee County.
The river then meanders through the 9,600-acre (39 km2) Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is close to the city of Okmulgee. Finally, the Deep Fork River flows into Lake Eufaula. This is near the border of Okmulgee and McIntosh County. Some towns along the river include Arcadia, Luther, and Wellston.
What the River is Like
The Deep Fork River is about 370 kilometres (230 mi) long. Its drainage area is long and narrow, about 40 kilometres (25 mi) wide. The river flows through an area with red sandstone hills and red soil. Because of this, the river itself is often red!
The river's upper part has been straightened. It flows in a narrow channel, usually about 100 ft (30 m) wide. You might see fallen trees blocking the way. The river often has steep red clay banks, sometimes as high as 100 ft (30 m). The Deep Fork River can flood easily. Especially in its lower parts, it has many wetlands and small lakes. There's also a forest of trees that lose their leaves in autumn. Some of this area is part of the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. The upper parts of the river usually have a narrow band of trees along their sides.
Fun Things to Do
The Deep Fork River is a great place for fishing. Many people like to catch large flathead catfish here. The water quality is generally good in most parts of the river. Kayaking and canoeing are also popular activities.
The Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge has walking trails. It also has special spots to watch wildlife. You can see many different kinds of birds there. Some birds live there all the time, and others are just visiting on their migration.
River Branches: Tributaries
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one.
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is a tributary of the Deep Fork River. It starts south of downtown Edmond, Oklahoma. It flows east and then joins Arcadia Lake at Spring Creek Park. The area around the western part of Spring Creek is very populated. Many shops and homes are named after it. A walking path called the Spring Creek Trail was built along the creek. It runs for about 3 miles from Interstate 35 to Spring Creek Park.
How Much Water Flows?
The Deep Fork River has an average flow of 1,338 cubic feet per second (37.9 cubic metres per second) each year. This number tells us how much water moves through the river over time.
A Look Back: River History
Long ago, when Oklahoma was known as Indian Territory, the Deep Fork River was an important boundary. It divided the lands of the Iowa and Kickapoo tribes. These lands are now part of Lincoln County.
Also, a part of the Creek (Muscogee) Nation was called the Deep Fork District. It was on the east side of the Creek land, between the Deep Fork and the Canadian River. Today, most of this old district is in Okfuskee County.
In the 1880s, the area along the Deep Fork River became a busy spot for "Boomers." These were people who wanted to settle land in Oklahoma. Soldiers from Fort Reno often patrolled the area. They would gather up the Boomers and send them back to Kansas.
