Duck Creek (Quad Cities)
Encyclopedia
Duck Creek is a creek that runs through the cities of Davenport
and Bettendorf
in the U.S. state
of Iowa
. The creek begins in the rural areas west of Davenport and it empties into the Mississippi River
in southeast Bettendorf. It is the largest creek in the Quad Cities
and is mainly used for storm water runoff. The creek's water has elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, nitrates and chloride. Duck Creek has many tributaries, among them are: Silver Creek, Pheasant Creek, Crystal Creek, and Candlelight Creek. The creek also has a 13.5 mile (21.7 km) bike trail. that starts at Veterans' Memorial Park in Bettendorf and ends at Emeis Park and Golf Course
in Davenport. Duck Creek also has a self-titled park and golf course on the very east end of Davenport (on the border with Bettendorf) called Duck Creek Park and Golf Course
. Other parks along the creek and bike path include: Middle, Eastern, Garfiled, Junge, Marquette, and Northwest.
In June 1990 Duck Creek experienced a major flash flood event. Rainfall for the month of May was 3.5 inches 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.
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
and Bettendorf
Bettendorf, Iowa
Bettendorf is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Bettendorf is the fifteenth largest city in the U.S. state of Iowa and the fourth largest city in the "Quad Cities". As of the 2010 United States Census the population grew to 33,217. Bettendorf is one of the Quad Cities, along with...
in the U.S. state
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. The creek begins in the rural areas west of Davenport and it empties into the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in southeast Bettendorf. It is the largest creek in the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
and is mainly used for storm water runoff. The creek's water has elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, nitrates and chloride. Duck Creek has many tributaries, among them are: Silver Creek, Pheasant Creek, Crystal Creek, and Candlelight Creek. The creek also has a 13.5 mile (21.7 km) bike trail. that starts at Veterans' Memorial Park in Bettendorf and ends at Emeis Park and Golf Course
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 terminus for the Duck Creek Parkway.The golf course is an...
in Davenport. Duck Creek also has a self-titled park and golf course on the very east end of Davenport (on the border with Bettendorf) called Duck Creek Park and Golf Course
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 Depression. The park features picnic shelters, tennis...
. Other parks along the creek and bike path include: Middle, Eastern, Garfiled, Junge, Marquette, and Northwest.
In June 1990 Duck Creek experienced a major flash flood event. Rainfall for the month of May was 3.5 inches 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.