Great Alamance Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Alamance Creek |
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Where Great Alamance Creek meets the Haw River in Swepsonville, North Carolina
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Location of Great Alamance Creek mouth
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to Haw River |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Counties | Alamance Guilford |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | divide between Great Alamance Creek and Deep River about 1 mile north of Pleasant Garden, North Carolina 780 ft (240 m) 35°58′40″N 079°44′57″W / 35.97778°N 79.74917°W |
| River mouth | Haw River Swepsonville, North Carolina 458 ft (140 m) 36°01′02″N 079°21′57″W / 36.01722°N 79.36583°W |
| Length | 37.12 mi (59.74 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | northeast then east |
| River system | Haw River |
| Basin size | 262.23 square miles (679.2 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Great Alamance Creek, also known as Big Alamance Creek, is a long stream in North Carolina. It flows for about 37 miles (60 km) and is an important tributary of the Haw River. The creek starts in Guilford County but mostly flows through Alamance County.
This creek is a major source of drinking water for the cities of Burlington and Greensboro. It feeds into Lake Mackintosh, a large reservoir that holds water for these communities. The name "Alamance" comes from an old word used by Native Americans to describe the blue-colored mud found at the bottom of the creek.
A Creek with History
Great Alamance Creek was an important location during a historical event called the Battle of Alamance. This battle happened in 1771, before the American Revolutionary War. It was a fight between colonial settlers, known as Regulators, and the colonial militia. The militia was led by Governor William Tryon.
Years later, in 1849, a new county was formed from Orange County. It was named Alamance County to honor this important battle and the creek itself.
Meet Little Alamance Creek
It might sound a bit confusing, but Great Alamance Creek has a smaller stream that is also called "Alamance Creek." This one is known as Little Alamance Creek. Even though it's called "Little," it's actually a bit longer than Great Alamance Creek, stretching over 12 miles. Much of Little Alamance Creek flows through the city of Burlington.
However, Little Alamance Creek carries less water than Great Alamance Creek. You can find Little Alamance Creek flowing through City Park in Burlington, making it a part of the local scenery.
