Little White River (South Dakota) facts for kids
The Little White River is a river in South Dakota, United States. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger one! This river is about 234 miles (377 kilometers) long. It's called a "tributary" because it joins the White River.
The Lakota people have their own name for this river: Makhízita Čík'ala. It was also once known as the South Fork of the White River.
About the Little White River
The Little White River starts in southeastern Oglala Lakota County. This area is part of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. When we say a river "rises," it means that's where it begins its journey.
Where Does It Flow?
From its start, the river flows generally towards the east. It passes by the town of Martin. It also flows north of the Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a special place where animals and plants are protected.
The river then enters the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Here, it changes direction and turns towards the northeast. It flows north of Rosebud and west of the town of White River.
Finally, the Little White River meets the main White River. This meeting point is about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Murdo.
River Facts
When the Little White River flows past the town of White River, it carries a lot of water. The amount of water flowing in a river is called its "flow rate." At this point, the river's flow is about 150 cubic feet per second (which is about 4.2 cubic meters per second). Imagine a cube that's one foot on each side; 150 of those cubes of water pass by every second!
