Quitaque Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quitaque Creek |
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Quitaque Creek flowing gently across Motley County, Texas
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Floyd County, Texas 3,262 ft (994 m) 34°15′46″N 101°24′36″W / 34.2628473°N 101.4098856°W |
| River mouth | Motley County, Texas 2,139 ft (652 m) 34°14′36″N 100°50′28″W / 34.2434007°N 100.8412486°W |
| Length | 40 mi (64 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Red River of the South |
| Tributaries |
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Quitaque Creek is a stream in Texas that is about 40 mi (64 km) long. It starts as a shallow dip in the land on the high plains of the Llano Estacado in Floyd County, Texas. From there, it flows east until it joins the North Pease River in Motley County, Texas. This creek is often dry and only flows when there has been a lot of rain.
Where Quitaque Creek Flows
The part of Quitaque Creek that is higher up is usually dry. It only fills with water during heavy rain. The creek first flows southeast through the northern part of Floyd County.
Then, it drops off the edge of the Caprock of the Llano Estacado. This happens about 3 mi (5 km) east of South Plains. After this, the stream continues to flow northeast through the ranch lands of northeastern Floyd County, where not many people live.
Once Quitaque Creek enters Motley County, it meets up with Los Lingos Creek. It then turns southeast and flows through the northwestern part of Motley County. Finally, it joins the North Pease River, about 16 mi (26 km) north of Matador.
From where it begins to where it joins the North Pease River, Quitaque Creek drops about 1,123 ft (342 m) in height. It flows through land that can be flat or have gentle slopes.
Why It's Called Quitaque Creek
Quitaque Creek has been known by a few different names over time. Some people used to call it Los Lingos Creek, North Pease River, or even Quitaque River.
However, in 1948, the United States Board on Geographic Names decided that "Quitaque Creek" should be its official name. In 1967, an official named J. O. Kilmartin wrote a letter. He suggested that the name "Quitaque" might be linked to the Quitaca Indians. These Native American tribes traveled with Juan Domínguez de Mendoza on his trip from the middle Rio Grande into Texas in 1683-1684.
