Bear Creek is an
[U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data]
The National Map
, accessed May 13, 2011 tributary
A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drai ...
of the
Upper Iowa River
The Upper Iowa River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed May 13, 2011 tributary of the Mississippi River in the upper Midwest of the United States.
Its headwaters rise ...
, joining
Waterloo Creek for a short distance before entering the Upper Iowa in
Waterloo Township just east of where
Iowa Highway 76
Iowa Highway 76 (Iowa 76) is a state highway located in northeastern Iowa, most of which is in Allamakee County. The highway connects McGregor to Eitzen, Minnesota via Waukon. It begins in McGregor at an intersection with U.S. Highway 18; th ...
crosses the river. Its branches are acclaimed trout fishing streams.
The main or South fork rises in Hesper and Highland Townships in
Winneshiek County, and gives its name to South Bear Complex, maintained by the state of Iowa and flows in a rough west to east direction.
The North Bear Creek rises in
Houston County, Minnesota
Houston County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. At the 2020 census, the population was 18,843. Its county seat is Caledonia.
Houston County is included in the La Crosse–Onalaska metropolitan statistical area.
History
The area ...
, south of
Spring Grove, entering Iowa into Highland Township in Winneshiek County, and joins the main branch just west of the
Allamakee County
Allamakee County () is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,061. Its county seat is Waukon.
History
Allamakee County was formed on February 20, 1847. The derivation of the name is ...
line in a generally north-to-southeast direction; the state-maintained North Bear Complex is named for it.
The stream continues into Allamakee County, joining Waterloo Creek a short distance from where the two creeks merge with the Upper Iowa. The Upper Iowa itself continues towards its heads in a southwesterly direction.
See also
*
List of rivers of Iowa
The following is a list of rivers and creeks in Iowa. The rivers are listed by multiple arrangements:
*those that form part of the boundaries of the U.S. state of Iowa;
*ordered by drainage basin, with tributaries indented under each larger rive ...
References
Iowa Department of Natural Resources(retrieved 3 April 2007)
Map from Iowa DNR (*.pdf)(retrieved 3 April 2007)
US Fish and Wildlife Service(retrieved 3 April 2007)
Trout Unlimited press release(retrieved 3 April 2007)
Tributaries of the Upper Iowa River
Rivers of Allamakee County, Iowa
Rivers of Houston County, Minnesota
Rivers of Iowa
Rivers of Minnesota
Rivers of Winneshiek County, Iowa
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