Little Meadow Creek (Rocky River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Meadow Creek |
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Location of Little Meadow Creek mouth
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Other name(s) | Tributary to Rocky River |
Country | United States |
State | North Carolina |
County | Cabarrus |
Physical characteristics | |
Main source | Pole Bridge Creek divide Smiths Lake, about 1.5 miles south of Barrier Mills, North Carolina 650 ft (200 m) 35°19′37″N 080°25′19″W / 35.32694°N 80.42194°W |
River mouth | Rocky River about 2.5 miles west of Locust, North Carolina 462 ft (141 m) 35°15′36″N 080°28′29″W / 35.26000°N 80.47472°W |
Length | 6.32 mi (10.17 km) |
Basin features | |
Progression | southwest |
River system | Pee Dee River |
Basin size | 5.23 square miles (13.5 km2) |
Tributaries |
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Bridges | County Line Road, Mauney Road, NC 200, Reed Mine Road |
Little Meadow Creek is a small stream, about 6.32 mi (10.17 km) long, located in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. It's like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one. This type of stream is called a tributary. Little Meadow Creek is a tributary to the Rocky River.
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About Little Meadow Creek
Little Meadow Creek is an important part of the local water system. It helps carry water from the land into larger rivers. Understanding how creeks like this work helps us learn about our environment.
Where Does the Creek Start?
Little Meadow Creek begins its journey in a place called Smiths Lake. This lake is located about 1.5 miles south of Barrier Mills, North Carolina. The starting point of a river or creek is often called its source.
Journey to the Rocky River
From Smiths Lake, Little Meadow Creek flows generally towards the southwest. It travels through the landscape, collecting water from smaller streams along its path. Finally, it reaches and joins the Rocky River. This meeting point is about 2.5 miles west of Locust.
What is a Watershed?
Every stream and river has a watershed. Think of a watershed as all the land area where rain and snowmelt drain into a specific river or creek. So, all the water that falls on the land in Little Meadow Creek's watershed eventually flows into the creek.
The Land Around the Creek
The watershed of Little Meadow Creek covers an area of about 5.23 square miles (13.5 km2). This area receives a good amount of rain each year, around 47.6 inches. Nearly half of the land in this watershed, about 49%, is covered by forests. These forests are important for keeping the water clean and providing homes for wildlife.