Howell Creek facts for kids
Howell Creek is a stream located in the southern parts of Missouri. It flows through Howell and Oregon counties. This stream is like a smaller helper river, also known as a tributary, that eventually joins a bigger river called the Warm Fork Spring River.
All About Howell Creek
Where Does Howell Creek Start and Go?
Howell Creek begins in Howell County, right inside the city of West Plains. It starts where two smaller streams, the North Fork and South Fork, meet together. This meeting point is called a confluence, and its location is 36°44′01″N 91°51′14″W / 36.73361°N 91.85389°W.
From there, Howell Creek flows towards the southeast through an area known as the Howell Valley. It runs generally alongside U.S. Route 63. As it travels, it goes past a small community called Chapin.
The stream then turns to the east. It passes about two miles north of the community of Brandsville before entering Oregon County. Howell Creek continues to wind its way east. Finally, it joins with Elk Creek. When these two streams meet, they form the Warm Fork Spring River. This happens at 36°40′36″N 91°36′00″W / 36.67667°N 91.60000°W.
A railway line, once part of the Burlington Northern system, also follows Howell Creek as it leaves West Plains. The railway then moves away from the stream valley, about two miles northwest of Brandsville.
How Howell Creek Got Its Name
Howell Creek was named after an early settler in the area. His name was Josiah Howell. He moved to this part of Missouri from Tennessee sometime in the 1840s. The stream was named in his honor, recognizing his presence as one of the first people to settle there.
