Shut-in Creek facts for kids
Shut-in Creek is a small stream in Missouri, a state in the United States. It flows through parts of Iron County and Reynolds County. This creek is a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. Shut-in Creek flows into a stream called Imboden Fork.
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Shut-in Creek: A Missouri Stream
Shut-in Creek is an interesting natural feature. It's known for flowing through a special kind of valley. This valley is surrounded by high mountains, which gives the creek its unique name.
Where Does Shut-in Creek Start?
The very beginning of Shut-in Creek is called its headwaters. These headwaters are found in Iron County. They are located inside a wild area known as the Bell Mountain Wilderness. The creek starts at an elevation of about 1,420 feet. This is quite high up! You can find its starting point at 37°40′03″N 90°50′15″W / 37.66750°N 90.83750°W.
Where Does Shut-in Creek Go?
From its starting point, Shut-in Creek flows generally towards the south and southwest. It travels between two mountains: Bell Mountain and Lindsey Mountain. As it continues its journey, the creek leaves Iron County and enters Reynolds County.
The stream then turns more towards the south and southeast. It keeps flowing until it meets another stream called the Imboden Fork. This meeting point is called a confluence. The confluence is about one mile north of a small community named Monterey. The elevation at this spot is about 892 feet. This meeting point is also very close to the northwest part of Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park. You can find this spot at 37°34′55″N 90°51′03″W / 37.58194°N 90.85083°W.
How Did Shut-in Creek Get Its Name?
The name "Shut-in Creek" comes from how the creek flows. It runs through a valley that is "shut in" by tall peaks and mountains on either side. Imagine a narrow path with high walls all around – that's how the valley feels, giving the creek its descriptive name.
