Monument Creek (Arkansas River tributary) facts for kids
Monument Creek is a cool stream in El Paso County, Colorado. It's part of the big Arkansas River water system. This creek starts way up at Mount Deception and flows south. It passes through towns like Pikeview and Monument. Finally, it reaches Colorado Springs. Here, it meets up with another stream called Fountain Creek.
Monument Creek is about 27.2 miles (43.8 km) long. It stretches from the National Forest Lands in the north. Its journey ends where it joins Fountain Creek. This spot is close to where Interstate 25 and U.S. Route 24 cross.
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Where Does Monument Creek Get Its Water?
The area that feeds Monument Creek is called its watershed. This watershed is located in Colorado. To the north, the Palmer Divide acts like a natural wall. It separates the water that flows into the Platte River from the water that flows into the Arkansas River. The Monument Creek watershed stretches from Black Forest in the east. It goes all the way west to the Rampart Range. Many smaller streams and creeks flow into Monument Creek. These include Beaver Creek, Jackson Creek, and Kettle Creek.
Monument Valley Park: A Special Place
Monument Creek flows right through Monument Valley Park. This park is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long. It sits on the western edge of downtown Colorado Springs. The creek runs through the middle of the park. It starts near West Monroe and flows south to West Bijou.
Inside the park, Monument Creek flows downhill. It drops about 72 feet (22 m) in height. The lowest point is 5,988 feet (1,825 m) high. The highest point is 6,060 feet (1,847 m) high. A smaller stream called Mesa Creek also joins Monument Creek here.
The Big Flood of 1935
A huge flood happened on Monument Creek in 1935. It was Memorial Day, and heavy rains fell for two days. The creek overflowed its banks. In Monument Valley Park, the flood caused a lot of damage. Three bridges were washed away. The swimming pool filled up with mud. Trees were pulled out of the ground. Meadows and paths were covered in dirt and trash. Even Shadow Lake turned into a small puddle.
The streets of Colorado Springs were filled with water. Natural springs in the park got covered up. Lakes disappeared, and buildings were destroyed. Because of this flood, Monument Valley Park looks very different today.
After the flood, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped fix the park. They built strong stone walls along the creek. They also made new bridges, rock steps, and benches. They used wood and local stone for a natural look. A grandstand was built for one of the baseball fields. Stone markers with bronze plaques were put up. These honored the WPA's hard work. Some things, like a lake and some gardens, were not rebuilt.
Keeping the Water Clean
Sometimes, creeks and rivers can get dirty. In 2004 and 2006, Monument Creek had some problems. It was declared "impaired" for fish and wildlife. This meant the water wasn't healthy enough for them. One reason was too much selenium, a natural element. Luckily, by May 2008, the water quality got much better. Now, the creek is a healthier place for fish and other wildlife.
