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Hanging Dog Creek facts for kids

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Hanging Dog Creek
Map of Hanging Dog mouth location
Map of Hanging Dog mouth location
Map of Hanging Dog mouth location
Map of Hanging Dog mouth location
Location of Hanging Dog mouth
Other name(s) Tributary to Hiawassee River
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Cherokee
Physical characteristics
Main source Hyatt Creek divide
Hanging Dog Gap
3,450 ft (1,050 m)
35°12′48″N 083°58′03″W / 35.21333°N 83.96750°W / 35.21333; -83.96750
River mouth Hiawassee River
Hiawassee Lake
1,525 ft (465 m)
35°06′22″N 084°04′33″W / 35.10611°N 84.07583°W / 35.10611; -84.07583
Length 14.57 mi (23.45 km)
Basin features
Progression southwest
River system Hiawassee River
Basin size 40.94 square miles (106.0 km2)
Tributaries
  • Left:
    Will Creek
    Augen Branch
    Grindstone Branch
    Davis Creek
    Cook Creek
    Dockery Creek
  • Right:
    Bear Creek
    Owl Creek
    Bates Creek
Bridges Clearview Lane, Boiling Springs Road (x2), Woody Branch Road, Boiling Springs Road (x3), Running Deer Lane, Boiling Springs Road (x2), Hanging Dog Road, Tranquil Valley Lane, Ed Graves Road (x2), Ebenezer Road, McDonald Road, Haven Lane, Joe Brown Highway

Hanging Dog Creek is a cool stream located in the state of North Carolina in the United States. It's like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one. This creek is a tributary (meaning it feeds into) the Hiwassee River.

What is Hanging Dog Creek?

Hanging Dog Creek is a natural waterway that stretches for about 14.57 miles (23.45 kilometers). It starts high up in the mountains and flows downhill. Creeks like this are important for the environment. They provide homes for many plants and animals.

Where is Hanging Dog Creek Located?

This creek is found in Cherokee County, North Carolina. It begins near a place called Hanging Dog Gap. This spot is quite high up, about 3,450 feet (1,050 meters) above sea level. The creek then flows generally southwest.

Its Journey to the Hiwassee River

As Hanging Dog Creek travels, it collects water from smaller streams. These smaller streams are called tributaries too. Some of the streams that join it from the left are Will Creek and Davis Creek. From the right, it gets water from Bear Creek and Owl Creek.

Finally, Hanging Dog Creek reaches its end. It flows into the Hiwassee River at Hiawassee Lake. This meeting point is much lower, around 1,525 feet (465 meters) above sea level. The Hiwassee River is a major river in the region.

How Did Hanging Dog Creek Get its Name?

The name "Hanging Dog Creek" sounds a bit unusual, right? There are a couple of stories about how it got its name.

One idea is that the name came from a local Cherokee person. Some people think "Hanging Dog" might be a changed version of "Hanging Maw." This was the name of a Cherokee individual who lived in the area.

Another story is about an actual dog! It's believed that an Indian's dog got stuck in some tree branches or debris in the river. The dog was "hung up" there until it was rescued. Both stories are interesting ways to think about how places get their names!

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