Sowashee Creek

Sowashee Creek
Sowashee Creek in Meridian, Mississippi
Map
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates32°28′29″N 88°36′30″W / 32.4745846°N 88.6083748°W / 32.4745846; -88.6083748
Mouth 
 • coordinates
32°18′16″N 88°45′04″W / 32.3043112°N 88.7511578°W / 32.3043112; -88.7511578
Length20.5 mi (33.0 km)
Basin size52.1 sq mi (135 km2)[1]

Sowashee Creek is a stream in the U.S. state of Mississippi.[2] Tributaries include Nanabe Creek. Sowashee Creek is a tributary of Okatibbee Creek.

Sowashee is a name derived from the Choctaw language meaning "raccoons are there".[3] Variant names are "Siwashee Creek", "Sowwasha Creek", and "Sowwashy Creek".[2]

History

The city of Meridian was founded on the banks of Sowashee Creek and "Sowashee" was suggested as a possible name for the new community.[4]

The City of Meridian is constructing the Sowashee Creek Bike Trail, a multi-use recreational trail.[5]

Sowashee Creek has been subject to multiple instances of pollution and industrial runoff, including a violation of the Clean Water Act that included a $120 million fine from the Environmental Protection Agency against the City of Meridian and a 5,000 gallon diesel fuel spill from a Norfolk Southern railway yard.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ Telis, Pamela (1991). Low-flow and Flow-duration Characteristics of Mississippi Streams. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey. p. 67.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sowashee Creek
  3. ^ Baca, Keith A. (2007). Native American Place Names in Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-60473-483-6.
  4. ^ McKee, Anne (June 3, 2016). "Sowashee — what does it mean?". Meridian Star. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Brooks, Nicholas (August 11, 2022). "Sowashee Creek phase 1 complete". WTOK. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "Consent decree to cost Mississippi city more than $120M". Associated Press. June 6, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "About 5,000 gallons of diesel spill from Mississippi company". Clarion Ledger. Associated Press. February 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2023.