Reedy Fork (Haw River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reedy Fork |
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Location of Reedy Fork mouth
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to Haw River |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Alamance Guilford Forsyth |
| City | Kernersville |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | divide between Reedy Fork and Kerners Mill Creek Kernersville, North Carolina 955 ft (291 m) 36°07′19″N 080°04′07″W / 36.12194°N 80.06861°W |
| River mouth | Haw River about 0.5 miles east of Ossipee, North Carolina 578 ft (176 m) 36°10′08″N 079°30′00″W / 36.16889°N 79.50000°W |
| Length | 43.30 mi (69.68 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | east |
| River system | Haw River |
| Basin size | 255.27 square miles (661.1 km2) |
| Tributaries | |
| Waterbodies | Lake Brandt Lake Townsend Hardys Mill Pond |
| Bridges | Gralin Road, Pleasant View Trail, Cross Creek Road, North Bunker Hill Road, NC 68, Alcorn Road, Bunch Road, I-73, Bunch Road, US 220, BUr-Mill Club Road, Lake Brandt Road, North Church Street, Yanceyville Road, Lake Townsend Road, US 29, Reedy Fork Parkway, McLeansville Road, Friendship Church Road, High Rock Road, NC 61, Old NC 87, NC 87 |
Reedy Fork is a river in North Carolina, United States. It is about 43.70 mi (70.33 km) long. This river is a "3rd order tributary" to the Haw River, which means it's a smaller river that flows into a larger one. Reedy Fork is an important waterway in Alamance County, North Carolina. It has also been known historically as Reedy Fork Creek.
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Where Does Reedy Fork Begin and End?
Reedy Fork starts in Forsyth County, North Carolina. Its source is near Kernersville, North Carolina, where the land divides between Reedy Fork and Kerners Mill Creek. The river begins at an elevation of about 955 ft (291 m) (291 meters) above sea level.
From its start, Reedy Fork flows generally towards the east. It travels through Guilford County, North Carolina before reaching Alamance County, North Carolina. The river eventually joins the Haw River about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) east of Ossipee, North Carolina. At this point, the river is about 578 ft (176 m) (176 meters) above sea level.
Rivers and Streams That Join Reedy Fork
Many smaller rivers and streams, called tributaries, flow into Reedy Fork. These tributaries add water to Reedy Fork as it makes its way to the Haw River. Here are some of the main ones:
Tributaries on the Left Bank
- Beaver Creek: This creek starts near Kernersville, North Carolina in Forsyth County, North Carolina. It flows northeast and joins Reedy Fork about 3 miles (4.8 km) east-northeast of Oak Ridge, North Carolina.
- Long Branch: This branch begins in Hillsdale, North Carolina. It flows southeast and meets Reedy Fork within Lake Townsend.
- Squirrel Creek: Starting west of Browns Summit, North Carolina, this creek flows south then east to join Reedy Fork inside Lake Townsend.
- Smith Branch: This branch rises southeast of Monticello, North Carolina. It flows south to meet Reedy Fork.
- Rocky Branch: Starting east of Monticello, North Carolina, this branch flows south to join Reedy Fork.
- Katie Branch: This is the smallest named tributary by water flow and length. It rises east of Monticello, North Carolina and flows south to Reedy Fork.
Tributaries on the Right Bank
- Moores Creek: This creek starts in a pond north of Piedmont Triad International Airport. It flows northeast to meet Reedy Fork south of Summerfield, North Carolina.
- Brush Creek: This creek begins northwest of Piedmont Triad International Airport. It flows northeast through Lake Higgins to join Reedy Fork within Lake Brandt.
- Horsepen Creek: Starting at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, this creek flows northeast to meet Reedy Fork within Lake Brandt.
- Richland Creek: This creek begins at Jaycee Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. It flows north then northeast through Richland Lake to join Reedy Fork within Lake Townsend.
- Buffalo Creek: This is a very important tributary, contributing over half of Reedy Fork's average water flow. It starts where North and South Buffalo Creeks meet, north of McLeansville, North Carolina. It then flows northeast to join Reedy Fork.
The Reedy Fork Watershed
The Reedy Fork watershed is the entire area of land where all the rain and snow eventually drain into Reedy Fork. This area covers about 255.27 square miles (661.1 km2) (661.1 km2).
On average, the watershed receives about 45.5 inches (115.6 cm) of precipitation each year. About 31% of the land in the watershed is covered by forests. This forested land helps to keep the water clean and healthy for the river.
