Sheep Creek (Bruneau River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sheep Creek |
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Sheep Creek
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Location of the mouth of Sheep Creek in Idaho
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| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho, Nevada |
| Counties | Owyhee County, Idaho, Elko County, Nevada |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | east of Owyhee, Nevada, Elko County, Nevada 6,126 ft (1,867 m) 41°58′18″N 115°55′07″W / 41.97167°N 115.91861°W |
| River mouth | Bruneau River Bruneau – Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness, Owyhee County, Idaho 3,415 ft (1,041 m) 42°29′55″N 115°35′50″W / 42.49861°N 115.59722°W |
| Length | 63 mi (101 km) |
| Type: | Wild |
| Designated: | March 30, 2009 |
Sheep Creek is a cool river that flows for about 63 miles (101 kilometers) in the western United States. It's a tributary (which means it flows into) the Bruneau River. This creek starts in Nevada and then makes its way into Idaho.
About Sheep Creek
Sheep Creek begins high up in the mountains, about 6,126 feet (1,867 meters) above sea level. It starts east of a place called Owyhee in northern Elko County, Nevada.
Where Does it Flow?
From its starting point, Sheep Creek generally flows north. It travels into Owyhee County, Idaho and through the Owyhee Desert. For part of its journey, it flows roughly next to Idaho State Highway 51.
The creek eventually reaches its end (called its mouth) in the Bruneau – Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness. Here, it joins the Bruneau River at an elevation of about 3,415 feet (1,041 meters).
A Special River
In 2009, a part of Sheep Creek was given a special title. About 25.6 miles (41.2 kilometers) of the creek were named a "wild river." This happened because of a law called the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. This same law also created the Bruneau – Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness, which helps protect the natural beauty of the area. Being a "wild river" means that this part of Sheep Creek is kept in its natural state, with very few changes from humans.
