Johnson Creek (Texas) facts for kids
.jpg)
Johnson Creek is a small river, also called a creek, that flows through parts of North Texas. It's like a watery pathway that eventually joins a much bigger river, the Trinity River. This creek helps carry water across Dallas County and Tarrant County.
People think Johnson Creek might be named after Middleton Tate Johnson. He was one of the first settlers in this area way back in the early 1840s.
Where Does Johnson Creek Flow?
Johnson Creek starts its journey near a big road called Interstate 20. This is in the eastern part of Tarrant County. From there, it flows northeast for about 13 miles (21 km). It ends up joining the West Fork of the Trinity River in Grand Prairie, which is in Dallas County.
The creek flows right through the cities of Arlington and Grand Prairie. Most of its path is surrounded by buildings and neighborhoods. It even flows through the famous Six Flags Over Texas theme park! You can also see it beside Globe Life Park. A small lake near the ballpark is named Mark Holtz Lake. This lake remembers Mark Holtz, who used to announce baseball games. A smaller stream that feeds into Johnson Creek flows along the southern edge of The University of Texas at Arlington.
Plants and Wildlife Along Johnson Creek
In places where there aren't many buildings, you can find lots of native plants growing along the creek's banks. This area along the water is called the riparian zone. It's a special place where plants and animals thrive.
Some of the plants you might see include:
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera species)
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
- Mustang grape (Vitis mustangensis)
- American Elm trees (Ulmus americana)
- Hackberry trees (Celtis laevigata)
- Different kinds of oak trees (Quercus species)
- Pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis)
- Eastern cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides)
These plants provide homes and food for many animals. They also help keep the creek healthy.
