Eleven Point River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleven Point River |
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Eleven Point River, May 2018
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Location of the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River shown in green; nearby Ozark National Scenic Riverways in red
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri, Arkansas |
| Region | Ozark Plateau, Mississippi Alluvial Plain |
| Cities | Willow Springs, Thomasville |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Willow Springs, Howell County, Ozark Plateau, Missouri |
| River mouth | Spring River Black Rock, Arkansas, Randolph County, Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Arkansas |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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| Type: | Scenic |
| Designated: | October 2, 1968 |
The Eleven Point River is a beautiful river in the southern parts of Missouri and northern Arkansas. It stretches for about 138 miles (222 km). This river is known for its clear, cool waters and natural beauty. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities like canoeing and fishing.
The river starts near Willow Springs, Missouri. It then flows through the scenic Ozark Plateau region. The Eleven Point River eventually joins the Spring River. This meeting point is southwest of Pocahontas, Arkansas, near the town of Black Rock, Arkansas.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Eleven Point River" has an interesting history. It comes from an old French word, pointe. This word meant a wooded piece of land that marked a bend in a river.
How Travelers Counted
Long ago, French-Canadian travelers called Voyageurs explored these rivers. They would count these "points" or river bends to measure how far they had traveled. So, the "Eleven Point" River likely had eleven of these special bends that were easy to spot.
Greer Spring: A Huge Water Boost
One of the most amazing things about the Eleven Point River is Greer Spring. This natural spring adds a massive amount of water to the river.
How Much Water?
When the branch from Greer Spring flows into the river, it more than doubles the river's size! It adds over 200 million gallons (757,000 cubic meters) of water every single day. This makes the Eleven Point River much larger and colder, which is great for fish and other wildlife.
A Special Protected River
The Eleven Point River is very important for its natural beauty. Because of this, a large part of it is protected by the United States government.
Wild and Scenic Designation
In 1968, a 44.4-mile (71.5 km) section of the river was named the Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River. It was one of the first eight rivers chosen for the United States National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This means the river's natural state is preserved for everyone to enjoy. It helps protect the river from development and pollution.
