River aux Vases (Mississippi River tributary)

Not to be confused with River aux Vases, Missouri.

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.

River aux Vases Creek
River aux Vases Creek sign at Highway 61
River aux Vases Creek within Missouri River aux Vases (Mississippi River tributary) (the United States)
Etymology	French: La Rivière aux Vases meaning "Muddy" or "Swampy River".
Location
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Ste. Genevieve County, MO
Mouth	Mississippi River
• location	La Saline, MO
• coordinates	37°54′23″N 89°58′31″W
• elevation	361 ft (110 m)
Basin size	47.8 sq mi (124 km2)

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 (les sucreries) along the creek to process sugar. In 1797 the younger son of Pierre de Lassus, Commandant of New Bourbon received a grant by the Spanish government to establish a sugar mill along the creek. 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.

• 
  Rail bridge
• 
  River aux Vases Creek

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. Mary 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.