Pine Creek (Rock River)
| Pine Creek | |
|---|---|
 Pine Creek just downstream from White Pines Forest State Park | |
| Basin | |
| Progression | Pine Creek → Rock → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| Main source |
Ogle County north of Mount Morris, Illinois 42°05′22″N 89°26′30″W / 42.0894716°N 89.4417766°W |
| Source elevation | 916 ft (279 m) |
| River mouth |
Confluence with Rock River northwest of Grand Detour, Illinois 41°54′48″N 89°26′59″W / 41.9133646°N 89.4498276°W |
| Mouth elevation | 643 ft (196 m) |
| Length | 17 mi (27 km) |
| GNIS ID | 415696 |
Pine Creek is a short tributary of the Rock River that flows through western Ogle County in the U.S. state of Illinois.
Course
Pine Creek rises where several stream branches come together south of Illinois Route 64.[1] The creek then flows 17 miles (27 km) to the south to join the Rock River between Grand Detour and Dixon.[2] The stream's upper miles flow through mostly pasture land until 7 miles downstream Pine Creek enters White Pines Forest State Park.[2]
State park
Beginning a few miles upstream from the park Pine Creek begins winding through glacial ridges and then enters White Pines State Park. For almost a half mile through the park the creek winds through steep valleys and its banks are lined by tall bluffs. The large rock and cliff formations provide habitat to plants ranging from large trees to moss to hanging vines. The cliffs harbor such rare plants as Canada yew and sullivantia (family Saxifragaceae), an Illinois state-threatened species.[3]
References
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pine Creek
- 1 2 Tyler, Bob. Canoeing Adventures in Northern Illinois: Apple River to Zuma Creek, (Google Books), iUniverse, 2004, p. 96, (ISBN 0595310109).
- ↑ Pensoneau, Liz. Yule Love It, Outdoor Illinois, December 2001, Northern Illinois University, Illinois Periodicals Online, accessed May 5, 2008.