Owens Creek is a 15 miles (24.1 km) stream in the Kishwaukee River

Kishwaukee River

The Kishwaukee River, sometimes locally known as simply "The Kish", is a river in the U.S. state of Illinois. "The Kish" is famous for its high number of bridges that cross within its 100-year floodplain.-Location:...

 watershed in northern Illinois

Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois is a region generally covering the northern third of the U.S. state of Illinois.-Economics:Northern Illinois is dominated by the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities, which contain a majority of Illinois' population and economic activity, including...

. It is a tributary

Tributary

A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...

 of the South Branch Kishwaukee River

South Branch Kishwaukee River

The South Branch Kishwaukee River is a tributary of the Kishwaukee River in northern Illinois. The South Branch is the main branch of the Kishwaukee River, joining it above its confluence with the Rock River...

.

Course

Owens Creek originates along Illinois Route 38

Illinois Route 38

Illinois Route 38 is an east–west state road that runs across northern Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 52 in downtown Dixon to U.S. Highways 12, 20, and 45 in Westchester. This is a distance of . As Roosevelt Road it continues through Forest Park and into Cicero and Chicago before...

 near Malta, Illinois

Malta, Illinois

Malta is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,164 at the 2010 census, up from 969 at the 2000 census.-History:Malta was founded in 1855, under the name of Milton...

, although the stream channel does not begin until it reaches Rich Road in northwest DeKalb Township

DeKalb Township, DeKalb County, Illinois

DeKalb Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 42,189. DeKalb Township was originally named Orange Township, but was renamed on November 20, 1850.-Geography:...

. Owens Creek enters the South Branch Kishwaukee River in northwestern DeKalb County

DeKalb County, Illinois

DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 105,160, which is an increase of 18.2% from 88,969 in 2000. Its county seat is Sycamore. DeKalb County is part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area.-History:DeKalb County...

 just downstream from Irene Road.

Description

Owens Creek is located in rural DeKalb County, an area heavily dominated by agriculture. The creek has been heavily modified by the surrounding agricultural activity. There are several stretches of the stream, however, that are considered to be in good condition. A stretch north of Illinois Route 72

Illinois Route 72

Illinois Route 72 is an east–west state road in northeastern Illinois. It runs from the intersection with Illinois Route 73 north of Lanark east to Illinois Route 43 in Chicago...

, before the stream's confluence with the South Branch Kishwaukee River

South Branch Kishwaukee River

The South Branch Kishwaukee River is a tributary of the Kishwaukee River in northern Illinois. The South Branch is the main branch of the Kishwaukee River, joining it above its confluence with the Rock River...

 is in "very good condition". Additionally there are several short stretches between Route 72 and Old State Road, some 4 miles (6.4 km) upstream, that are in good condition as well.

Henry Lamson Boies recorded a description of Owens Creek in his 1868 History of DeKalb County:

A pleasant little stream of water, called Owen's Creek, following a meandering course, passes nearly through its whole length, rising in the southeast portion, and flowing towards the northwest, where, in the adjoining town of Franklin, it empties into the Kishwaukee river, In its course the stream widens several times, forming miniature lakes, which, in the warm season of the year, with their wide borderings of deep green, the many flocks of water-fowl, hovering high above them, or settling down into the clear waters where the pickerel and a variety of smaller fry abound, form pictures, not only very attractive to the lover of nature, but to the eye of the sportsman and anglers.

Wildlife

Owens Creek is an active fishery

Fishery

Generally, a fishery is an entity engaged in raising or harvesting fish which is determined by some authority to be a fishery. According to the FAO, a fishery is typically defined in terms of the "people involved, species or type of fish, area of water or seabed, method of fishing, class of boats,...

 but very little data has been accumulated on what species of fish live in the stream network. The latest data dates to 1970 and 1961. At that time smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...

 and rock bass

Rock bass

The rock bass , also known as the rock perch, goggle-eye, or red eye is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. They are similar in appearance to smallmouth bass but are usually quite a bit smaller...

were among the species recorded in the creek.