Ponca Creek (Missouri River tributary) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ponca Creek
Country	United States
States	South Dakota, Nebraska
Physical characteristics
River mouth	Missouri River 1,217 ft (371 m)
Length	139 mi (224 km)
Basin features
Basin size	810 sq mi (2,100 km2)

Four Indian men in a boat on Ponca creek (c. 1870-1880).

Ponca Creek is a stream that flows from southern South Dakota and into northern Nebraska. It is 139 miles (224 km) long. Its source is about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of U.S. 183, near Colome. It flows into the Missouri River 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Niobrara. Ponca Creek starts out going east, then takes a southeast direction. It flows like that until around Bristow, Nebraska where it turns east again until it flows into the Missouri River. The entire Ponca Creek watershed drains 520,000 acres (2,100 km²). The watershed stretches from central Tripp County to central Gregory County.

Ponca Creek takes its name from the Ponca people, who are indigenous to the region and in whose nation the creek flowed.

Towns along the creek

The towns in the Ponca Creek watershed in South Dakota are Colome, Dallas, Gregory, Burke, Herrick, and St. Charles. The towns along Ponca Creek in Nebraska are Anoka, Spencer, Bristow, Lynch, Monowi, and Verdel.

Named tributaries

The named tributaries of Ponca Creek are Masdon Creek, Murphy Creek, Blue Eyes Creek, Hay Creek, Willow Creek, Squaw Creek, Dizzy Creek, Dry Creek, Tobacco Creek, Spring Creek, Crooked Creek, Beaver Creek, Whiskey Creek, and Dewey Creek.

Ponca Creek does not flow into any lakes.