Little Dry Creek (Arapahoe County, Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Dry Creek |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 39°35′27″N 104°52′55″W / 39.59083°N 104.88194°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with South Platte 5,256 ft (1,602 m) 39°39′34.87″N 105°00′9.64″W / 39.6596861°N 105.0026778°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | South Platte—Platte— Missouri—Mississippi |
Little Dry Creek is a small river, also called a tributary, located in Arapahoe County, Colorado. It is about 10 miles (16 kilometers) long. This creek flows through suburban areas south of Denver, helping to carry water away from these neighborhoods.
Journey of the Creek
Little Dry Creek begins in the city of Centennial, which is in Arapahoe County. It starts west of the major highway, I-25. From there, the creek flows generally towards the northwest, making its way into the city of Englewood.
Historically, people have used the water from Little Dry Creek for irrigation. This means they used it to water crops and fields. The creek also feeds an aqueduct, which is like a special channel or pipe built to carry water from one place to another. This aqueduct runs right alongside the creek.
The creek eventually joins the South Platte River. This meeting point is just south of West Dartmouth Avenue, a short distance west of where it crosses Santa Fe Drive (which is US 85).
Trails and Nature
The Little Dry Creek Trail is a popular path that follows the creek. It connects with another well-known trail called the Highline Canal Trail. You can find this connection in Cherry Hills Village. These trails are great for walking, running, and biking, letting people enjoy nature right in the city.
A Golden Discovery
Little Dry Creek is famous for an important historical event. The area where the creek meets the South Platte River was the site of the first major gold discovery in what is now Colorado.
In early July 1858, a group of prospectors led by Green Russell and his brothers found a significant amount of gold here. They discovered a "gold pocket" that contained several hundred dollars' worth of gold. This exciting find quickly led to the Colorado Gold Rush the very next year, bringing many people to the area hoping to strike it rich.
