Meramec River

The Meramec River is the second longest free flowing river in the state of Missouri. It rises near Salem as a small creek that flows northwards. The first moderate tributary is the Dry Fork. This river rises in Phelps County and collects Meramec Spring. The spring supplies most of the perennial flow of the Meramec. From this confluence, the river turns northeast. Near Onondaga Cave, Huzzah Creek flows into the river. This creek contributes a significant amount of water into the Meramec. The river deepens here, but is still marked by gravel bars and riffles in low water. The river is lined by riparian forests and occasional farmland. Once the river enters Franklin County it begins to slow and at Piney Park, powerboats can use the river. It is also in Franklin County that the river collects the Bourbeuse. After Franklin County, the river forms the boundary of St. Louis and Jefferson Counties. The Meramec collects the Big River near Eureka. The Big flows from the south and is quite polluted by mining tailings. East of Eureka, the river bends northward, then eastward and at Valley Park southward again. The basin narrows to its smallest point near Arnold, and flows into the Mississippi near that city, 218 river miles from its source.

Tributaries of the Meramec

Dent County Crawford County Washington County Franklin County Jefferson County Saint Louis County
 * 1) Stone Hill Branch
 * 2) Hutchins Creek
 * 3) Nelson Branch
 * 4) Fishwater Creek
 * 5) Lost Creek
 * 6) Taft Creek
 * 1) Taff Branch
 * 2) Crooked Creek
 * 3) Dry Fork
 * 4) Pruett Creek
 * 5) Pine Branch
 * 6) Wittenburg Creek
 * 7) Lick Creek
 * 8) Huzzah Creek
 * 9) Opossum Hollow
 * 10) Hinch Branch
 * 11) Blue Springs Branch
 * 12) Brazil Creek
 * 13) Carter Creek
 * 14) Greens Creek
 * 15) Slater Creek
 * 1) Hamilton Creek
 * 1) Indian Creek
 * 2) Rye Creek
 * 3) Little Meramec River
 * 4) Bourbeuse River
 * 5) Calvey Creek
 * 1) La Barque Creek
 * 2) Big River
 * 3) Sugar Creek
 * 4) Romaine Creek
 * 5) Pomme Creek
 * 1) Fox Creek
 * 2) Hamilton Creek
 * 3) Kiefer Creek
 * 4) Fish Pot Creek
 * 5) Grand Glaize Creek
 * 6) Fenton Creek
 * 7) Mattese Creek