Kemptville Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kemptville Creek |
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Kemptville Creek in the town of Kemptville
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 Location of the mouth of Kemptville Creek in southern Ontario
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| Other name(s) | South Branch of the Rideau River |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Region | Eastern Ontario |
| County | United Counties of Leeds and Grenville |
| Municipalities |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | unnamed marsh North Augusta, Augusta 112 m (367 ft) 44°45′57″N 75°45′00″W / 44.76583°N 75.75000°W |
| River mouth | Rideau River Kemptville, North Grenville 85 m (279 ft) 45°03′21″N 75°39′15″W / 45.05583°N 75.65417°W |
| Length | 69 km (43 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Rideau River→ Ottawa River→ Saint Lawrence River→ Gulf of Saint Lawrence |
| River system | Ottawa River drainage basin |
| Basin size | 456 km2 (176 sq mi) |
Kemptville Creek is a stream in Eastern Ontario, Canada. It flows through the areas of North Grenville and Augusta. This creek is part of the larger Ottawa River drainage basin, meaning its waters eventually flow into the Ottawa River. It is also a right tributary of the Rideau River. This means it flows into the Rideau River from the right side. The creek is looked after by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.
Kemptville Creek is about 69 kilometres (43 mi) long. Its drainage basin covers an area of 456 square kilometres (176 sq mi). This basin includes parts of other nearby towns like Athens, Elizabethtown-Kitley, and Merrickville–Wolford. Long ago, people called this creek the South Branch of the Rideau River. Its name was officially changed to Kemptville Creek in 1908. However, some people still use the old name today.
Where Kemptville Creek Flows
The main part of Kemptville Creek is also called the South Branch. It starts near the community of North Augusta in Augusta. Right away, another small stream called Mud Creek joins it. The creek then flows north. It enters the area of North Grenville near Bishop's Mills.
There's also a North Branch of Kemptville Creek. This branch starts at Cranberry Lake in Merrickville–Wolford. It flows northeast and also passes into North Grenville. It goes through Bishop's Mills before meeting up with the main branch.
After the two branches join, the creek keeps flowing north. It passes through the community of Oxford Mills. Here, the water goes over the Oxford Mills Dam. Then, it flows under the Canadian Pacific Railway main train line. The creek continues into the town of Kemptville. In Kemptville, another small stream called Barnes Creek joins it. Finally, Kemptville Creek reaches its end where it flows into the Rideau River. The Rideau River then flows north towards the Ottawa River.
Fun Things to Do on the Creek
Kemptville Creek is a great place for water activities. You can use smaller boats on the creek. It's possible to travel from the Rideau River all the way to the town docks in Kemptville.
In the summer, the creek is also good for canoeing. You can canoe from Bishop's Mills for about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of Oxford Mills. There are places to launch your canoe near the railway bridge or at the dam in Oxford Mills. In the spring, when the water levels are higher, you might be able to canoe even further. You could go from Oxford Station Road (or even further upstream) all the way to the Rideau River. You might need to do one portage, which means carrying your canoe over land for a short distance.
Smaller Streams Joining the Creek
Here are some of the smaller streams that flow into Kemptville Creek:
- Barnes Creek (joins from the right side)
- North Branch Kemptville Creek (joins from the left side)
- Muldoons Creek (flows into the North Branch)
- Mud Creek (joins from the right side)
