Shannon Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shannon Creek |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 5,016 feet (1,529 m) |
| River mouth | Baker River at Baker Lake 725 feet (221 m) 48°44′14″N 121°35′25″W / 48.737345°N 121.590139°W |
Shannon Creek is a small stream, also called a 'tributary,' that flows into the Baker River in Whatcom County, Washington. It's located close to the edge of the North Cascades National Park.
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About Shannon Creek
A 'tributary' is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. Shannon Creek is quite short, but it's an important part of the local water system. It helps carry water from the mountains down to Baker Lake.
Where Shannon Creek Begins
Shannon Creek starts high up in the mountains, not far from Mount Shuksan. It actually has two main starting points, called 'forks.'
- North Fork: This part of the creek begins very high up, at about 5,016 feet (1,529 meters) above sea level. The water here comes from a glacier, which is a large, slow-moving river of ice.
- South Fork: This part starts a bit lower, at about 2,611 feet (796 meters). Its water does not come from a glacier.
How the Forks Join and Flow
About halfway along its path, the north and south forks of Shannon Creek meet and become one stream. From there, the creek continues to flow until it reaches Baker Lake.
Baker Lake is a large reservoir, which is a human-made lake used to store water. Shannon Creek flows into this lake at an elevation of about 725 feet (221 meters).
Shannon Creek's Neighbors
Shannon Creek joins the Baker River a few miles downstream from another creek called Sulphide Creek. It also joins the Baker River upstream from Swift Creek, which is a much larger stream that flows south. This shows how many different streams and rivers connect to form a bigger water system in the area.
