Indian Creek (Thompson River tributary) facts for kids
Indian Creek is a small stream that flows through parts of Decatur County, Iowa and Harrison County, Missouri. It's like a smaller river that eventually joins a bigger one. Indian Creek is a tributary of the Thompson River. This means it flows into the Thompson River, adding its water to it.
Where Does Indian Creek Start and End?
Indian Creek begins in Iowa, near a town called Lamoni, Iowa. The exact spot where it starts is called its headwaters. This is about two miles east of Lamoni. At its very beginning, the stream is quite high up, at an elevation of about 1,065 feet (which is about 325 meters).
From there, Indian Creek flows generally south and then southeast. It crosses the state line and continues into Missouri.
The stream ends when it meets the Thompson River. This meeting point is called a confluence. This confluence happens in northeastern Harrison County, Missouri. It's about four miles north-northeast of the community of Cainsville. At this point, the elevation is lower, around 830 feet (about 253 meters).
- Start (Headwaters): Near Lamoni, Iowa (40°37′05″N 93°52′57″W / 40.61806°N 93.88250°W) at about 1,065 ft (325 m) elevation.
- End (Confluence): With the Thompson River near Cainsville, Missouri (40°29′20″N 93°48′29″W / 40.48889°N 93.80806°W) at about 830 ft (250 m) elevation.
Why Is It Called Indian Creek?
The name "Indian Creek" comes from the Native American people. Long ago, this area was an important hunting ground for them. The stream and its surrounding lands provided resources for their communities. So, the name honors the original inhabitants who used and lived near this waterway.
