Lightning Creek (Oklahoma) facts for kids
Lightning Creek is a small stream in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It's an important part of the city's water system. Many neighborhoods on the south side of Oklahoma City are located in the area that drains into Lightning Creek. This creek is a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river called the Oklahoma River.
Where Lightning Creek Flows
Lightning Creek starts as a special channel designed to help drain water, near S.W. 86th Street. From there, it flows mostly north. The creek eventually empties into the Oklahoma River near S.E. 15th Street.
Parks Along the Creek
You can find several fun city parks located right along Lightning Creek. These parks offer green spaces for people to enjoy. Some of these parks include:
- Lightning Creek Park, where the creek goes under Western Avenue.
- Draper Park, located between S.W. 44th Street and Grand Boulevard.
- Oliver Park, found between Grand Boulevard and S.W. 29th Street.
These parks are great places for families and friends to spend time outdoors, close to the natural beauty of the creek.
Flooding Events
Sometimes, heavy rain can cause Lightning Creek to overflow its banks. This is called a flash flood. One big flood happened in July 2010. It was caused by the leftover rain from a storm called Hurricane Alex. The creek basin experienced a lot of flooding during those days. It's always important to be careful and stay away from creeks and rivers when there's heavy rain, as water levels can rise very quickly.
