Driftwood River facts for kids
The Driftwood River is a short but important river in central Indiana, United States. It's about 15.5-mile-long (24.9 km), which is roughly 25 kilometers. This river is a "tributary," meaning it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. The Driftwood River flows into the East Fork of the White River.
The water from the Driftwood River eventually travels a long way! It joins the White River, then the Wabash River, and then the Ohio River. Finally, it becomes part of the huge watershed of the Mississippi River. A watershed is like a giant funnel where all the rain and snowmelt in an area drain into one main river. The Driftwood River is special because it's formed when two other longer rivers meet, just a short distance before it joins the White River.
Where Does the River Flow?
The Driftwood River begins in the southeastern part of Johnson County. It starts about 1 mile (1.6 km) (or 1.6 kilometers) west of a town called Edinburgh.
This is where two other rivers, Sugar Creek and the Big Blue River, come together. When two rivers meet like this, it's called a "confluence." From there, the Driftwood River flows generally south through the northwestern part of Bartholomew County. It continues its journey until it reaches the city of Columbus.
In Columbus, the Driftwood River meets another river called the Flatrock River. When these two rivers join, they form the East Fork of the White River. So, the Driftwood River plays a key role in forming a bigger river!
Near Edinburgh, a lot of water flows through the Driftwood River. On average each year, about 1,210 cubic feet of water pass by every second. That's like filling up a small swimming pool every second!
