Pomme de Terre River (Missouri) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pomme de Terre River |
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Map of the Osage River watershed showing the Pomme de Terre River
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| Other name(s) | Potato River |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Marshfield, Missouri 1,454 ft (443 m) 37°20′24″N 92°56′43″W / 37.34000°N 92.94528°W |
| River mouth | Truman Reservoir Hickory County, Missouri 709 ft (216 m) 38°00′35″N 93°18′59″W / 38.00972°N 93.31639°W |
| Length | 130 mi (210 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 840 sq mi (2,200 km2) |
| Watersheds | Pomme de Terre-Osage-Missouri-Mississippi |
The Pomme de Terre River (pronounced pohm de TEHR) is a 130-mile (209 km) long river. It flows through southwestern Missouri in the United States. This river is a tributary of the Osage River.
The water from the Pomme de Terre River eventually reaches the Missouri River. From there, it flows into the mighty Mississippi River. This means the Pomme de Terre River is part of the huge watershed of the Mississippi River.
What's in a Name?
The name "Pomme de Terre" is French. It means "potato." Long ago, Native American tribes, like the Osage people, used to gather potatoes in this area.
Before the French explorers arrived, the Osage people had another name for the river. Their name meant "Big Bone River." They called it this because they found fossils of ancient creatures. These included mastodons and other large animals along the river's banks.
The River's Journey
The Pomme de Terre River begins in Greene County. This area is part of the Ozarks region. It forms where two smaller streams, called the north and south forks, meet.
The river generally flows north. It passes through several counties, including Dallas, Polk, Hickory, and Benton. It also flows past the town of Hermitage.
In Polk County, another small river joins it. This is the Little Pomme de Terre River. It starts in Greene County and flows northwest.
In Hickory County, a large dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This dam created a big lake called Pomme de Terre Lake. The river then flows into the Truman Lake. Truman Lake is formed by another dam on the Osage River. The Pomme de Terre River officially joins the Osage River as an arm of Truman Lake.
