North Fork Spring River facts for kids
The North Fork Spring River is a stream located in the southwestern part of Missouri. It flows through four different counties: Lawrence, Dade, Barton, and Jasper. This river is a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. The North Fork Spring River eventually joins the Spring River.
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Where the River Starts and Ends
The North Fork Spring River begins in the northwest part of Lawrence County. This starting point is called its headwaters. From there, it flows for many miles. The river then joins the Spring River in Jasper County. This meeting point is known as its confluence.
The River's Journey
The North Fork Spring River starts as an intermittent stream. This means it doesn't always have water flowing in it, especially during dry seasons. It begins just south of the border between Dade and Lawrence counties.
The stream first flows west, then turns northwest. It crosses into Dade County near Missouri Route 97. It continues its journey northwest, leaving Dade County and entering Barton County. Here, it passes by Golden City.
The river then flows north, going under U.S. Route 160 multiple times. It passes northeast of Lamar. After Lamar, the river turns west and then south. It flows alongside U. S. Route 71 for a while.
The North Fork Spring River then crosses under Missouri Route 71 and Missouri Route 126. It enters Jasper County northwest of Jasper. The stream then turns southwest, flowing past Preston and Neck City. Finally, it meets the Spring River west of Galesburg.
How Much Water Flows?
Near the town of Purcell, the North Fork Spring River usually carries about 507 cubic feet of water every second. This measurement is called its mean annual discharge. It helps us understand how much water is typically flowing in the river each year.
Other Names for the River
Over time, the North Fork Spring River has been known by several other names. Some of these historical names include Dry Fork, Dry Fork Spring River, Muddy Creek, and Muddy Fork Spring River. It was also sometimes called North Fork Creek.
