Headwater Diversion Channel facts for kids
The Headwater Diversion Channel is a special canal in southeast Missouri. It was built to change the path of water from several rivers. This channel helps control floods and has made a big difference for farming in the area.
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What is the Headwater Diversion Channel?
The Headwater Diversion Channel is a long, man-made waterway. It flows from west to east across the land. Think of it like a giant ditch dug to move water.
Where Does It Send Water?
This channel collects water from the "headwaters" of the Castor and Whitewater rivers. Headwaters are the small streams that form the very beginning of a river. It also takes water from Crooked Creek. All this water is then sent directly into the mighty Mississippi River. This happens south of a city called Cape Girardeau.
How Long Is It?
The channel is about 34 miles (55 kilometers) long. That's like driving for half an hour on a highway!
Why Was the Channel Built?
The main reason for building this huge channel was to control floods. Before the channel, the Castor and Whitewater rivers often caused flooding in the low-lying areas of Missouri.
Helping Farmers
The Headwater Diversion Channel played a very important role in changing the land in the Bootheel region of Missouri. This area used to be very wet and swampy. By draining away the extra water, the channel helped turn this land into rich agricultural land. This means it became perfect for growing crops.
Who Built the Channel?
The channel was built by a group called the Little River Drainage District. They worked on this big project between 1910 and 1916. It took them six years to complete!
Where Did the Water Go Before?
Before the channel was built, the headwaters of the Castor and Whitewater rivers used to flow into the Little River. The parts of these rivers that are *downstream* from the channel still flow into the Little River today.
Can You Use the Channel for Fun?
The Headwater Diversion Channel is mostly for flood control. It's not really considered a river where big boats can travel easily. However, smaller boats like canoes can be used on it. So, you might see people enjoying a quiet paddle there!
