River aux Vases (Mississippi River tributary)

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River aux Vases is a creek that rises in Union Township in western Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri and flows into the Mississippi River about two miles north of St. Marys, Missouri.

Etymology

The stream's original name - La Rivière aux Vases - is French meaning The muddy or swampy River and referred to quicksand and soggy conditions around the creek, especially crossings.

History

The earliest French colonial families had long-established family sugar camps (sucreries) along the creek to process sugar. Over time the area around River aux Vases became known as a breeding center for mules. Mining was also prominent in the area and River aux Vases sandstone was used in the abutments of Eads Bridge in downtown St. Louis, with decorative onyx and limestone quarried nearby.

Physical geography

River aux Vases rises near Jonca in Union Township in the western part of Ste. Genevieve County, and flows east through Hawn State Park and empties into the Mississippi River about two miles north of St. Marys, Missouri at an elevation of 361 feet. It has a watershed of 47.8 sq. mi.

• Dodge Creek
• Flint Bottom Creek
• Jonca Creek
• Lake Kal-Tatri
• Mill Creek
• Pickle Creek
• Rainbow Lake

Cultural geography

There are a number of communities along River aux Vases Creek, most notably the community by the same name River aux Vases, as well as New Bremen (Ozora), and New Tennessee.

Bridges that converse River aux Vases Creek include the River aux Vases Bridge on Old Kingshighway (Highway 61), the River aux Vases Route B Bridge, The Interstate 55 Bridge, and the River aux Vases US 61 Bridge.