| Sowashee Creek | |
|---|---|
 Sowashee Creek in Meridian, Mississippi | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • coordinates | 32°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 |
| Length | 20.5 mi (33.0 km) |
| Basin size | 52.1 sq mi (135 km) |
Sowashee Creek is a stream in the U.S. state of Mississippi. 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". Variant names are "Siwashee Creek", "Sowwasha Creek", and "Sowwashy Creek".
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.
The City of Meridian is constructing the Sowashee Creek Bike Trail, a multi-use recreational trail.
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.
References
- Telis, Pamela (1991). Low-flow and Flow-duration Characteristics of Mississippi Streams. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey. p. 67.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sowashee Creek
- Baca, Keith A. (2007). Native American Place Names in Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-60473-483-6.
- McKee, Anne (June 3, 2016). "Sowashee — what does it mean?". Meridian Star. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- Brooks, Nicholas (August 11, 2022). "Sowashee Creek phase 1 complete". WTOK. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- "Consent decree to cost Mississippi city more than $120M". Associated Press. June 6, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- "About 5,000 gallons of diesel spill from Mississippi company". Clarion Ledger. Associated Press. February 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2023.