Petit Jean River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petit Jean River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| Counties | Scott, Logan, Conway, Yell |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | northern Ouachita Mountains near Waldron, Arkansas 671 ft (205 m) 35°00′37″N 94°00′55″W / 35.01028°N 94.01528°W |
| River mouth | Arkansas River North of Petit Jean State Park 285 ft (87 m) 35°10′10″N 92°54′27″W / 35.16944°N 92.90750°W |
| Length | 113 mi (182 km) |
The Petit Jean River is a river in west-central Arkansas, USA. It is about 113 miles (182 km) long. This river starts in the Ouachita Mountains in northern Scott County. It then flows through Logan County and Yell County. For a bit, it even forms the border between Yell County and Conway County. Finally, it joins the Arkansas River north of Petit Jean State Park.
The largest town along the river is Danville. This town was named after a steamboat that traveled on the river in 1840. The Petit Jean River is also special because it's the longest river found entirely within the Arkansas River Valley.
Contents
About the Petit Jean River
Where the River Flows
The Petit Jean River begins in the northern part of the Ouachita Mountains. From there, it makes its way through several counties in Arkansas. It flows through Scott, Logan, and Yell Counties. Part of its journey creates a natural border between Yell and Conway Counties.
The river eventually empties into the larger Arkansas River. This meeting point is located just north of the famous Petit Jean State Park.
How It Got Its Name
There's a cool local story about how the Petit Jean River and the nearby mountain got their names. The legend says a young French woman pretended to be a man. She did this so she could follow the person she loved to America. Because she was small, the ship's crew called her "Petit Jean," which means "Little John" in French.
Sadly, she became sick and passed away after reaching Arkansas. People say she was buried on the side of the mountain. Another idea for the name is that "Petit Jean" comes from the French words "petit jaune." This means "little yellow," possibly describing the river's color.
Measuring the River's Flow
Scientists keep track of how much water flows in the Petit Jean River. The USGS has been measuring its flow since 1916. They have a special tool called a stream gauge near Danville. This tool measures the water coming from an area of about 764 square miles (1,979 square kilometers).
Between 1947 and 2013, the river's average flow was about 824 cubic feet per second. This is like filling 824 boxes, each one foot on every side, with water every second! The lowest flow ever recorded was zero in August 1956, meaning the river dried up in that spot. The highest water level was in April 1939. The river reached 31.8 feet (9.7 meters) high at the gauge. This meant a huge flow of 70,800 cubic feet per second.
Historic Bridges
There are two old bridges that cross the Petit Jean River. One bridge is in Yell County, and the other is in Logan County. Both of these bridges are very old and important. They are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical value.
