Pine Creek (Rock River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pine Creek |
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Pine Creek just downstream from White Pines Forest State Park
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Ogle County north of Mount Morris, Illinois 916 ft (279 m) 42°05′22″N 89°26′30″W / 42.0894716°N 89.4417766°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Rock River northwest of Grand Detour, Illinois 643 ft (196 m) 41°54′48″N 89°26′59″W / 41.9133646°N 89.4498276°W |
| Length | 17 mi (27 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Pine Creek → Rock → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 415696 |
Pine Creek is a small river, also called a tributary. It flows into the Rock River. This creek runs through the western part of Ogle County in Illinois, a state in the United States.
Where Pine Creek Flows
Pine Creek starts when several smaller streams join together. This happens south of Illinois Route 64. From there, the creek flows for about 17 miles (27 km) towards the south.
It eventually meets the Rock River. This meeting point is located between the towns of Grand Detour and Dixon.
For its first few miles, Pine Creek flows mostly through fields where animals graze. About 7 miles downstream, the creek enters a special place called White Pines Forest State Park.
Exploring White Pines Forest State Park
A few miles before reaching the park, Pine Creek starts to wind around hills. These hills were formed by ancient glaciers. Once inside White Pines State Park, the creek becomes even more interesting.
For almost half a mile through the park, Pine Creek flows through deep, narrow valleys. The sides of these valleys are lined with tall, steep cliffs. These large rock formations and cliffs are home to many different plants.
You can find huge trees, small mosses, and even hanging vines growing on the cliffs. Some rare plants also live here. These include the Canada yew, which is a type of evergreen shrub. Another rare plant is sullivantia, which is part of the Saxifragaceae family. This plant is considered a threatened species in Illinois.
