Maries River facts for kids

The Maries River is a cool river in Missouri, a state in the United States. It flows through three counties: Pulaski, Maries, and Osage. This river is a branch, or tributary, of the bigger Osage River.

Where Does the Maries River Start and End?

The Maries River begins in northern Pulaski County, near a town called Dixon. This starting point is called the headwaters of the river. From there, the river flows mostly north.

The River's Journey Through Counties

As the Maries River travels, it enters Maries County. It flows past small communities like Brinktown and Venus. The river then goes under Missouri Route 42 west of Vienna.

Next, the river continues into Osage County. It flows east of towns such as Argyle and Koeltztown.

River Bends and Roads

The Maries River makes many twists and turns, which are called meanders. It flows under U. S. Route 63 near Westphalia. Further along, it goes under U. S. Route 50 west of Loose Creek.

Finally, the river turns west and joins the Osage River. This meeting point is called a confluence. It's located just north of where Route 50 and Route 63 meet.

How Much Water Flows in the River?

Near Westphalia, the Maries River carries a lot of water. On average, about 216 cubic feet of water flow past this point every second. Imagine a box about the size of a washing machine; 216 of those boxes full of water pass by each second!

What Does the Name "Maries" Mean?

The name "Maries" for the river probably comes from a French word. That word is marais, which means "swamp". So, the river might have been named after swampy areas nearby.