Kawkawlin River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kawkawlin River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bay County, Michigan |
| River mouth | Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron |
The Kawkawlin River is a cool stream in Michigan, a state in the United States. It's about 17.5 miles (28.2 kilometers) long. This river flows into a bigger body of water called Saginaw Bay, which is part of Lake Huron. You can find its mouth (where it ends) near Bay City.
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About the Kawkawlin River
The Kawkawlin River isn't just one simple stream! It has two main parts: the North Branch and the South Branch. The North Branch is the longer one. Sometimes, the South Branch is just called the Kawkawlin River itself.
These two branches meet up northwest of Bay City. This meeting point is called a "confluence." It's only a little over a mile from where the river flows into Saginaw Bay.
Where the Branches Begin
The North Branch of the Kawkawlin River starts where two smaller streams, called Hoffman Drain and Watson Drain, join together. This is in the southeast corner of Gladwin County.
The South Branch, or the main Kawkawlin River, also begins where two drains meet. These are the Dietline and Betzoid drains.
Where the River's Water Comes From
The Kawkawlin River system collects water from a large area. This area is called its "drainage basin." It includes parts of several townships across different counties in Michigan. Think of it like a giant funnel that gathers rainwater and snowmelt, sending it all towards the river.
Counties and Townships in the Drainage Area
The Kawkawlin River and its many smaller streams flow through or get water from these places:
- In Bay County:
- In Gladwin County:
- Bentley Township
- Grim Township (through a stream called Chubb Drain)
- In Midland County:
- Larkin Township (through Waldo Drain and the Dietline Drain system)
- Midland Township (through Dingman and Waldo drains)
- Mills Township (through Kawkawlin Creek)
- In Saginaw County:
- Tittabawassee Township (through Culver Creek)
Tributaries: Streams That Feed the River
A "tributary" is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river. The Kawkawlin River has many tributaries, which are often called "drains" or "creeks" in this area. These smaller waterways help carry water from the surrounding land into the main river.
Main Tributaries of the Kawkawlin River
The two main branches of the Kawkawlin River, the North Branch and the South Branch, each have their own network of smaller streams that feed into them. For example, the North Branch receives water from streams like Popp Drain, Hembling Drain, and Kawkawlin Creek. The South Branch has tributaries such as Culver Creek, Bradford Creek, and the Dietline Drain system. All these smaller streams are important for the health and flow of the Kawkawlin River.
