River aux Vases (Mississippi River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River aux Vases Creek |
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River aux Vases Creek sign at Highway 61
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River aux Vases Creek within Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Ste. Genevieve County, MO |
| River mouth | Mississippi River La Saline, MO 361 ft (110 m) 37°54′23″N 89°58′31″W / 37.90639°N 89.97528°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 47.8 sq mi (124 km2) |
River aux Vases Creek is a small river in Missouri, USA. It starts in western Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. The creek then flows into the mighty Mississippi River. This happens about two miles north of St. Marys, Missouri.
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What's in a Name?
The name "River aux Vases" comes from French. Its original name was La Rivière aux Vases. This means "The muddy or swampy River." The name describes the soft, wet ground around the creek. It also refers to quicksand, which made crossing the creek tricky.
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, French families lived near River aux Vases Creek. They set up "sugar camps" along the creek. Here, they processed sugar from plants. In 1797, a Spanish leader gave land to a man named Pierre de Lassus. He built a sugar mill along the creek.
Over time, the area became famous for raising mules. Mules are strong animals, a mix of a horse and a donkey. Mining was also important here. Stone from River aux Vases was used to build parts of the famous Eads Bridge in St. Louis. This bridge is a very old and important landmark.
Where the Creek Flows
River aux Vases Creek begins near Jonca. This is in the western part of Ste. Genevieve County. The creek flows east through Hawn State Park. Finally, it empties into the Mississippi River. This meeting point is about two miles north of St. Mary. The land here is about 361 feet above sea level. The area that drains into the creek is about 47.8 square miles.
Smaller Streams Joining In
Several smaller streams flow into River aux Vases Creek. These include:
- Dodge Creek
- Flint Bottom Creek
- Jonca Creek
- Lake Kal-Tatri
- Mill Creek
- Pickle Creek
- Rainbow Lake
Life Along the Creek
Many communities are located along River aux Vases Creek. The most well-known is the town of River aux Vases itself. Other communities include New Bremen, also known as Ozora, and New Tennessee.
Several bridges cross River aux Vases Creek. These bridges help people travel over the water. Some of them are the River aux Vases Bridge on Old Kingshighway (part of Highway 61), the River aux Vases Route B Bridge, and the Interstate 55 Bridge.
Images for kids
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Rail bridge over the creek
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River aux Vases Creek flowing
