Drunken Creek facts for kids
Drunken Creek is a small stream located in eastern Bollinger County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is an important waterway that eventually flows into Hog Creek.
Exploring Drunken Creek
Drunken Creek is a natural waterway, much like a small river, that plays a part in the local environment of Bollinger County. It's known for its unique name and the way it flows through the landscape.
Where Does Drunken Creek Begin and End?
The journey of Drunken Creek starts near Missouri Route B, which is about three miles northeast of the town of Marble Hill. This starting point is called the headwaters. From there, the stream flows generally south and then southeast.
As it travels, Drunken Creek passes under a couple of main roads. It goes under Missouri Route 34 just east of Marble Hill. Then, it continues its path southeast, flowing under Missouri Route U. Finally, Drunken Creek reaches its confluence (where two streams meet) with Hog Creek. This meeting point is about 1.5 miles north of the small community of Laflin.
You can think of the headwaters as the creek's starting GPS location, which is at 37°20′42″N 89°55′50″W / 37.34500°N 89.93056°W. The spot where it joins Hog Creek is at 37°18′00″N 89°53′08″W / 37.30000°N 89.88556°W.
Why Is It Called Drunken Creek?
The name "Drunken Creek" might sound a bit unusual for a stream! It's believed that the creek got its name because of how it behaves during heavy rains. When there's a lot of rainfall, the creek can experience what are called flash floods.
During a flash flood, the water level in the creek rises very quickly and flows with great force. This can make the creek's path seem wild and unpredictable, almost like it's "stumbling" or "unsteady" as it rushes along. So, the name likely describes the creek's powerful and sometimes erratic movement when it's overflowing with water, rather than anything else.
