Stillman Creek (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stillman Creek |
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Stillman Creek during the 2007 Midwest flooding
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 Location of the Mouth of Stillman Creek in Ogle County, Illinois
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Ogle |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near the unincorporated community of Kings White Rock Township, Ogle County, Illinois 679 ft (207 m) 42°01′40″N 89°06′20″W / 42.02778°N 89.10556°W |
| River mouth | Rock River Stillman Valley, in Marion Township, Ogle County, Illinois 42°07′34″N 89°13′51″W / 42.12611°N 89.23083°W |
Stillman Creek is a stream in Ogle County, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of the larger Rock River system. This creek has had several names over time, including Mud Creek, Old Man's Creek, Sycamore Creek, and Stillman's Run.
The creek gets its current name from Isaiah Stillman. He also gave his name to the nearby village of Stillman Valley, Illinois, which is located right along the creek.
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Where Stillman Creek Flows
Stillman Creek begins its journey near a place called Kings, Illinois. It then flows through Ogle County. Finally, it empties into the Rock River. The entire length of Stillman Creek is about 18 miles (29 kilometers) long.
Wildlife Around Stillman Creek
The area around Stillman Creek is part of the "Rock River country." Long ago, much of this land was covered in prairie, which is a type of grassland. Today, only a small amount of this original prairie remains.
The Rock River and its smaller streams, like Stillman Creek, are home to many different kinds of plants and animals. You can find 122 types of native birds here. There are also 33 kinds of reptiles and 78 kinds of mammals. The waters hold 33 types of native mussels and 10 types of native crustaceans (like crayfish).
More than 950 different plant species grow in this region, including 27 types of ferns. In total, 56 species of plants and animals that are considered endangered or threatened in Illinois live in the Rock River country.
The History of Stillman Creek
Stillman Creek is famous for an event that happened in 1832. This was the Battle of Stillman's Run during the Black Hawk War. The battle and the creek became known as "Stillman's Run" because Isaiah Stillman and his soldiers quickly left the battlefield. They thought thousands of Chief Black Hawk's warriors were chasing them.
The word "run" in "Stillman's Run" had two meanings. It described both the creek itself and how Stillman's men "ran away" during the battle. As mentioned, the creek was also known by other names like Mud Creek, Old Man's Creek, and Sycamore Creek.
In 1999, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency checked the water quality of Stillman Creek. They rated it as "good." This was similar to about 78% of the other waterways in the Rock River area. Today, the village of Stillman Valley is allowed to release treated wastewater into the creek. In 2007, during a big flood in the Midwest, Stillman Creek overflowed its banks.
Creek Elevation
Stillman Creek is located about 679 feet (207 meters) above sea level. This creek is an important part of the Rock River watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common river or lake.
Images for kids
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Stillman Creek during the 2007 Midwest flooding
