Flinton Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flinton Creek |
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Location of the mouth of Flinton Creek in southern Ontario
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Country | Canada |
Province | Ontario |
Region | Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario |
Counties |
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Physical characteristics | |
Main source | Unnamed lake Addington Highlands, Lennox and Addington County 244 m (801 ft) 44°42′19″N 77°07′12″W / 44.70528°N 77.12000°W |
River mouth | Skootamatta River Tweed, Hastings County 188 m (617 ft) 44°36′33″N 77°14′20″W / 44.60917°N 77.23889°W |
Basin features | |
River system | Great Lakes Basin |
Flinton Creek is a small waterway, also known as a creek, located in the province of Ontario, Canada. It flows through two different areas: Hastings County and Lennox and Addington County. This creek is part of a larger water system that eventually leads to Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.
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What is Flinton Creek?
Flinton Creek is a natural flowing body of water. It's smaller than a river but bigger than a ditch. Creeks like Flinton Creek are important because they carry water from higher ground to larger rivers and lakes. This helps keep the natural water cycle going.
The Journey of Flinton Creek
Flinton Creek starts its journey in a small, unnamed lake in a place called Addington Highlands. This is in Lennox and Addington County. The lake is about 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles) west of a community called Flinton Corners. At its start, the creek is about 244 meters (801 feet) above sea level.
From there, the creek flows towards the west. It goes under a main road, Ontario Highway 41. Then, it turns southwest, passing by the eastern side of the community of Flinton. Finally, Flinton Creek reaches its end, or mouth, at the Skootamatta River. This meeting point is just inside Hastings County. The Skootamatta River then flows into the Moira River, which eventually empties into the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario at a city called Belleville.
Why Creeks are Important
Creeks like Flinton Creek play a vital role in our environment.
- Water Source: They provide fresh water for many plants and animals.
- Habitat: They are home to various fish, insects, and other aquatic creatures.
- Connecting Waterways: They act as natural channels, connecting smaller lakes and ponds to larger rivers and eventually to huge bodies of water like the Great Lakes.
- Ecosystem Health: A healthy creek means a healthy environment around it, supporting diverse wildlife and plants.
Animals and Plants of the Creek
While specific details about Flinton Creek's wildlife are not available, many creeks in Ontario are home to a variety of creatures. You might find:
- Fish: Small fish like minnows, trout, or bass often live in creeks.
- Insects: Many insects, such as dragonflies, mayflies, and caddisflies, spend part of their lives in or near the water.
- Amphibians: Frogs and salamanders often live along the banks.
- Mammals: Animals like beavers, muskrats, and otters might live in or visit the creek.
- Birds: Birds like ducks, herons, and kingfishers often hunt for food in creeks.
- Plants: Water plants, reeds, and various trees and shrubs grow along the creek banks, providing shelter and food.
Protecting Our Waterways
It's important to keep creeks like Flinton Creek clean and healthy. Pollution from litter, chemicals, or other waste can harm the animals and plants that live there. Protecting these natural waterways helps keep our entire ecosystem balanced and healthy for everyone.