Duck Creek is a minor
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 drainage ...
of the
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it f ...
in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. The
creek runs through
Scott County, Iowa
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 174,669, making it the third-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Davenport.
Scott County is included in the Davenport– Moline ...
, and the cities of
Davenport,
Bettendorf, and
Riverdale.
Course
Duck Creek begins in the rural areas north of
Blue Grass and it empties into the
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it f ...
between Bettendorf and
Riverdale. At
long it is the largest creek in the
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a region of cities (originally four, see History) in the U.S. states of Iowa and Illinois: Davenport and Bettendorf in southeastern Iowa, and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline in northwestern Illinois. These cities are t ...
and is mainly used for storm water runoff.
Duck Creek's watershed covers a total of .
[ Of the total, , or 61%, are in Davenport; , or 31%, are in ]unincorporated Unincorporated may refer to:
* Unincorporated area, land not governed by a local municipality
* Unincorporated entity, a type of organization
* Unincorporated territories of the United States, territories under U.S. jurisdiction, to which Congress ...
Scott County and , or 8%, are in Bettendorf.[ The Duck Creek watershed flows through of private land and of public land.][ The creek's water has elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, nitrates and chloride.][ ]Duck Creek Parkway
Duck Creek Parkway is located in the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in the U.S. state of Iowa. The parkway is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long and passes through multiple parks as it makes its way along Duck Creek. The parkway is the oldest ...
has of bike trail that follows the creek through Davenport, Bettendorf, and Riverdale.Emeis Park and Golf Course
Emeis Park and Golf Course is a park located on the west side of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The park features picnic shelters, playground equipment, ball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and a golf course. It is the western terminu ...
in Davenport. Duck Creek shares its name with a park and golf course on Davenport's border with Bettendorf called Duck Creek Park and Golf Course
Duck Creek Park and Golf Course is located on the east side of Davenport, Iowa, United States. The property was originally a private arboretum south of Duck Creek. It was developed in the 1930s as a public works project during the Great Depres ...
. Other parks along the creek and bike path include Middle, Eastern, Garfield, Junge, Marquette and Northwest.
1990 flood
In June 1990, Duck Creek experienced a major flash flood event. Rainfall for the month of May was above normal for the month and the rains continued into June.[ A thunderstorm with heavy rains passed over the Quad Cities on June 16. Because of the development around the creek, the rain water washed into the creek bed, which quickly rose. More than 8,000 homes and business were flooded. Damage estimates for that day exceeded $25 million.][
]
2008 flood
On June 13, 2008 Duck Creek rose out of its banks.[
]
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
{{authority control
Rivers of Iowa
Tributaries of the Mississippi River
Quad Cities
Bettendorf, Iowa
Rivers of Scott County, Iowa