Coon Creek (Mississippi River tributary)

Not to be confused with Coon Creek (Redwood River tributary).

Coon Creek (Dakota: Peterah) is a stream in Anoka County that is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is named for the large population of racoons in the area. The mouth of the river is located near the Coon Creek Rapids of the Mississippi river.

Coon Creek
Native name	Peterah (Dakota)
Physical characteristics
Source	Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area
Mouth
• coordinates	45°08′00″N 93°17′58″W
Basin size	107 miles (172 km)
Discharge
• location	Mississippi River
Basin features
River system	Mississippi River

Watershed

The 107 square-mile watershed of the stream includes the cities of Coon Rapids, Fridley, Blaine, Andover, Ham Lake, and Columbus. The Coon Creek Watershed District was founded in 1959 for the purpose of flood control.

History

Coon Creek was first noted by Europeans in 1836/7 by Joseph Nicollet. Nicollet noted the Dakota name for the creek, Peterah, meaning 'burning coals'. The name Coon Creek originates from the large number of raccoons hunted in the 19th century at the mouth of the creek.

See also

• Shingle Creek (Mississippi River tributary)
• Bassett Creek (Mississippi River tributary)
• Minnehaha Creek
• Coon Creek (Blue Earth River tributary)
• Coon Creek (Redwood River tributary)