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Smith Fork Creek facts for kids

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Smith Fork Creek
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Wilson, DeKalb, Smith
Physical characteristics
Main source Confluence of Knight Creek and Sunset Creek
SW of Statesville in Wilson County
36°00′36″N 86°08′10″W / 36.0101°N 86.1362°W / 36.0101; -86.1362
River mouth Caney Fork River
Seabowisha in Smith County
36°08′20″N 85°52′11″W / 36.1389°N 85.8696°W / 36.1389; -85.8696
Length 39 mi (63 km)
Depth
  • Maximum depth:
    27.50 ft (8.38 m)
    November 7, 2017
Basin features
River system Cumberland River

The Smith Fork Creek is a large stream that flows through Middle Tennessee in the United States. It helps drain a big part of the southwestern Upper Cumberland area. This creek is a main branch, or tributary, of the Caney Fork River. It is also part of the larger Cumberland River, Ohio River, and Mississippi River systems.

Smith Fork Creek is about 39 to 40 miles (63 to 64 km) long. Its watershed, which is the area of land that drains into the creek, covers parts of four counties. These counties are Wilson, DeKalb, Smith, and Cannon. The creek flows past several small towns and communities. These include Statesville, Auburntown, Gassaway, Liberty, Dowelltown, Temperance Hall, and Lancaster. Finally, the creek empties into the Caney Fork River about 4.1 miles (6.6 km) southeast of Gordonsville.

The Journey of Smith Fork Creek

Smith Fork Creek begins in Wilson County. It starts about 1 mile (1.6 km) southwest of Statesville. This is where two smaller streams, Knight Creek and Sunset Creek, join together. You can find this spot along Greenvale Road.

Flowing Through Towns

The creek flows right through the town of Statesville. It then follows Highway 267 as it heads towards DeKalb County. Before it reaches DeKalb County, Smith Fork Creek gets bigger. This happens when Saunders Fork joins it. Saunders Fork is another important tributary that drains much of northwestern Cannon County, including Auburntown.

Into DeKalb and Smith Counties

The creek then slowly winds its way northeast through western DeKalb County. More streams join it here. The Clear Fork Creek joins in Liberty, and Dry Creek joins in Dowelltown. After passing through Temperance Hall, the creek enters Smith County. It then flows past the west side of Lancaster.

Finally, the Smith Fork Creek empties into the Caney Fork River. This happens under a railroad bridge that belongs to the Nashville and Eastern Railroad. This special spot is known as Seabowisha.

Fun Facts and Myths About the Creek

There's a popular story, or urban legend, about Smith Fork Creek. This story says that Smith Fork Creek is the longest creek in the world, at 99 miles (159 km) long. The legend also claims that a stream must be at least 100 miles (160 km) long to be called a river.

However, this urban legend is not true. The creek is much shorter than 99 miles (159 km); it's actually less than half that length. Also, many streams that are shorter than 100 miles (160 km) are still called rivers. So, the length of a stream does not always decide if it's called a creek or a river.

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