Mill Creek (Morgan County, Missouri) facts for kids

Mill Creek is a small stream (a flowing body of water, smaller than a river) located in Morgan County, which is in the state of Missouri in the United States. It flows into the Gravois Creek part of the large Lake of the Ozarks. Think of it like a smaller arm of the lake.

Where Mill Creek Begins

Mill Creek starts its journey in a place called its "headwaters." This is the very beginning of the stream. It begins northeast of Missouri Route 135. At this point, the land is about 920 feet (280 meters) high.

Mill Creek's Path

From where it starts, Mill Creek flows in a winding path, first towards the northeast and then towards the east. It goes under Missouri Route 5, which is another road in Missouri. Eventually, Mill Creek reaches and flows into the Lake of the Ozarks. When it joins the lake, the water level is about 663 feet (202 meters) high.

Before the Lake Existed

Before the Lake of the Ozarks was created, Mill Creek joined with Gravois Creek in a slightly different spot. The lake was formed by building a dam, which caused the water to back up and create the large lake we see today. Before this happened, Mill Creek and Gravois Creek met about 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers) further northeast. This meeting point was about 620 feet (189 meters) high and was close to a small community called Gladstone.

Why It's Called Mill Creek

The name "Mill Creek" comes from the past. There used to be watermills located near the stream's path. Watermills are old buildings that used the power of flowing water to grind grain into flour or to do other work. So, the stream was named after these mills.