Flat River

The Flat River is a significant tributary of the Big River. Rising near Bismarck and Sulphur Mountain on the drainage divide between the Meramec and Saint Francis Basins. It winds north collecting Dry Creek near Davis. Near Derby it collects Bannister Branch and Harris Branch. It also flows through St. Joe State Park. Flat River then flows through Park Hills, collecting Shaw Branch. Koen Creek and Walker Branch are the last two tributaries. Years of mining have taken their toll on the river. Tailings dams are beginning to fail and groundwater is contaminated by mining activities.