Mineral Fork

Mineral Fork is the largest tributary of the Big River. It rises at the junction of three forks: Pucket Branch, Fourche a Renault, and Mine a Breton Creek. The stream winds eastward through Washington County. The river is fed by numerous springs. Old mines are near the river. The river is typical of an Ozarks stream: entrenched meanders and crystal clear waters. The river is named for the abundance of lead and galena, of which mining took place in this area. Its first tributary is Rogue Creek. Not even a mile downstream is Simpson Branch. Clear Creek is the next tributary, which is loaded with springs. Near Bliss, it is joined by Possum Trot Hollow. It is also near Bliss that the Mineral Fork comes to an end at the Big River.