Ellis Creek (Cape Fear River tributary) facts for kids
Ellis Creek is a stream about 11.76 mi (18.93 km) long. It flows into the Cape Fear River in Bladen County, North Carolina. Think of it as a smaller helper stream for the bigger Cape Fear River.
Quick facts for kids Ellis Creek |
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Location of Ellis Creek mouth
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to Cape Fear River |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Bladen |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Suggs Mill Pond about 5 miles west of Ammon, North Carolina 95 ft (29 m) 34°47′56″N 078°39′00″W / 34.79889°N 78.65000°W |
| River mouth | Cape Fear River about 1 mile south of Yorick, North Carolina 24 ft (7.3 m) 34°39′17″N 078°38′31″W / 34.65472°N 78.64194°W |
| Length | 11.76 mi (18.93 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | south-southeast |
| River system | Cape Fear River |
| Basin size | 52.26 square miles (135.4 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Bridges | Opportunity Lane, Dowd Dairy Road, Gum Shaw Road, NC 53 |
Where Ellis Creek Flows
Ellis Creek starts its journey in a special kind of pond called Suggs Mill Pond. This pond is a type of wetland known as a Carolina Bay. It's located about 5 miles (8 km) west of a town called Ammon in Bladen County.
From Suggs Mill Pond, Ellis Creek flows generally towards the south-southeast. It travels through the land until it reaches the larger Cape Fear River. It joins the Cape Fear River about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of a place called Yorick, North Carolina.
What is a Watershed?
Every stream and river has an area of land that drains water into it. This area is called a watershed or a drainage basin. Imagine all the rain that falls on this land eventually flowing into Ellis Creek.
The Ellis Creek watershed covers about 52.26 square miles (135.4 km2). This area gets a good amount of rain, about 49 inches (124 cm) each year. A big part of this watershed, about 19%, is covered by forests. These forests are important because they help keep the water clean and provide homes for wildlife.
