Coon Creek (Mississippi River tributary)

Coon Creek
Native namePeterah (Dakota)
Physical characteristics
SourceCarlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area
Basin sizeone hundred and seven miles (172 km)
Discharge 
 • locationMississippi River
Basin features
River systemMississippi River

Coon Creek (Dakota: Peterah) is a stream in Anoka County that is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is named for the large population of racoons in the area. The mouth of the river is located near the Coon Creek Rapids of the Mississippi river.[1]

Watershed

The 107 square-mile watershed of the stream includes the cities of Coon Rapids, Fridley, Blaine, Andover, Ham Lake, and Columbus.[2] The Coon Creek Watershed District was founded in 1959 for the purpose of flood control.[3]

History

Coon Creek was first noted by Europeans in 1836/7 by Joseph Nicollet. Nicollet noted the Dakota name for the creek, Peterah, meaning ‘burning coals’.[4]

See Also

References

  1. ^ "Coon Creek".
  2. ^ "Coon Creek Watershed District Maps".
  3. ^ "Coon Creek Watershed District".
  4. ^ "2. Introduction" (PDF).