Battle Creek River

The Battle Creek River (simply Battle Creek on federal maps[1]) is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a tributary of the Kalamazoo River, joining it at Battle Creek, Michigan. The Kalamazoo River empties into Lake Michigan.

Battle Creek River
Overlooking the Battle Creek River
Location
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Counties	Eaton, Calhoun
Municipalities	Charlotte, Bellevue, Battle Creek
Physical characteristics
Source
⁃ location	Clarence Township
⁃ coordinates	42.44226°N 84.77609°W / 42.44226; -84.77609[1]
Mouth	Kalamazoo River
⁃ location	Battle Creek
⁃ coordinates	42.32254°N 85.193881°W / 42.32254; -85.193881
Length	54.5 mi (87.7 km)
Basin size	307 sq mi (800 km2)

The river's drainage basin is approximately 196,750 acres (796.2 km²) and covers northern Calhoun County, southern Eaton County, and southeastern Barry County in southwest Michigan. The headwaters of the Battle Creek River are at Duck Lake in Clarence Township in northeast Calhoun County, and the stream flows north to the city of Charlotte, then southwest through the village of Bellevue and empties into the Kalamazoo River at the city of Battle Creek. Tributaries of the Battle Creek River include Wanadoga Creek, Ellis Creek, Crooked Brook, Goose Creek, Ackley Creek, Indian Creek, and Big Creek. The river is 53.3 miles (85.8 km) long[2] with an average gradient of 1.25 feet/mile.[3]

The river's name, according to local lore, was given after a survey party, led by Col. John Mullet, engaged in hostilities with some local Native Americans in the winter of 1823–24.[4][5]