Thorn Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thorn Creek |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Will County near University Park, Illinois 765 ft (233 m) 41°26′08″N 87°43′03″W / 41.4355556°N 87.7175°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Little Calumet River, South Holland, Illinois 581 ft (177 m) 41°35′38″N 87°34′26″W / 41.5938889°N 87.5738889°W |
| Length | 21 mi (34 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Thorn Creek → Little Calumet → Calumet → Lake Michigan → Great Lakes → Saint Lawrence Seaway → Gulf of Saint Lawrence |
| GNIS ID | 419680 |
Thorn Creek is a river about 21 mi (34 km) long. It flows into the Little Calumet River. This creek travels through Will and Cook counties. These areas are in northeastern Illinois, just south of Chicago.
About Thorn Creek
Thorn Creek begins in a higher area called the Valparaiso Moraine. A moraine is a hill or ridge made of rocks and dirt left behind by a glacier. From this higher ground, the creek drops about 200 feet (60 m) down. It then reaches the lower lands of the Little Calumet River valley.
River's Journey
As Thorn Creek flows, it carves out many deep ditches and narrow valleys. These are called ravines and valleys. The river is usually quite narrow. However, its width can change a lot along its path.
Sauk Lake and the Dam
In Chicago Heights, under 26th Street, there is a dam. This dam was built in 1928. It creates a wide area of water known as Sauk Lake. Just north of 26th Street, the creek becomes very narrow again, only a few feet wide.
Over time, a lot of mud and dirt has collected in Sauk Lake because of the dam. This buildup is called silt. Experts from the Corps of Engineers are thinking about making a change to the dam. They might create a notch, or opening, in it. This change would help improve the natural environment for fish and other creatures living in the creek. People who care about the river are also thinking about how this might affect the water underground. They also consider how it could help control floods and create fun activities for people.
