Elkin Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elkin Creek |
|
|---|---|
 
Location of Elkin Creek mouth
|
|
| Other name(s) | Tributary to Yadkin River |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Surry |
| City | Elkin |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Laurel Branch divide about 1 mile east-southeast of Roaring Gap, North Carolina 2,670 ft (810 m) 36°23′54″N 080°58′01″W / 36.39833°N 80.96694°W |
| River mouth | Yadkin River Elkin, North Carolina 878 ft (268 m) 36°14′27″N 080°51′08″W / 36.24083°N 80.85222°W |
| Length | 8.96 mi (14.42 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | southeast |
| River system | Yadkin River |
| Basin size | 36.32 square miles (94.1 km2) |
| Tributaries |
|
| Bridges | US 21, N Old Highway 21, Traphill Road, Union Community Road, Wiley Royal Road, Roaring Gap Church Road, Whisper Ridge Lane, Mining Ridge Church Road, Murray Road, Preacher Field Road, Carter Mill Road, CC Camp Road, Elk Spur Street, W Main Street |
Elkin Creek is a stream that flows through Surry and Wilkes Counties in North Carolina. It is about 8.96 miles (14.42 km) long. This creek is a "tributary" to the Yadkin River, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. Elkin Creek is special because it's the only stream with this name in the entire United States.
Other Names for Elkin Creek
Sometimes, rivers and creeks are known by more than one name. According to a system that tracks geographic names, Elkin Creek has also been called:
- Big Elkin Creek
- Elkin River
Where Elkin Creek Flows
Elkin Creek starts about 1 mile (1.6 km) east-southeast of a place called Roaring Gap. This starting point is in Wilkes County, North Carolina. From there, the creek flows towards the southeast. It continues its journey until it reaches Surry County, North Carolina. Finally, Elkin Creek joins the larger Yadkin River in the town of Elkin, North Carolina.
Understanding the Elkin Creek Watershed
A watershed is like a big bowl or area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drain into a common stream, river, or lake. The Elkin Creek watershed covers an area of about 36.32 square miles (94.1 square kilometers).
In this area, Elkin Creek and its surroundings receive about 49.9 inches (127 cm) of rain each year. About 49% of the land in this watershed is covered by forests. This means there are many trees that help keep the water clean and the land healthy.
