Thread by @theiaincameron

In the state of Wyoming, USA, lies a real hydrological oddity. It's a small stream (creek) that is thought to be one of a just a few examples in the world. It is placed so precariously and perfectly that it's hard to believe it is able to exist.

1/n

The stream in question is called North Two Ocean Creek, and for a short duration it runs right on top of the Continental divide for North America. What makes this creek so unusual is that as it spills out onto Two Ocean Pass it bifurcates.

"So what?", you might say.

2/n

On the left-hand side of this bifurcation it heads east as the 'Atlantic Creek', and west as the 'Pacific Creek'.

You can probably see now where this thread is heading.

3/n

Yes, the Atlantic Creek eventually flows 3,488 miles (5,613 km) to the Gulf of Mexico/America via the Yellowstone, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The Pacific Creek 1,353 miles (2,177 km) to the Pacific via the Snake and Columbia Rivers.

4/n

In the marshy area of Two Ocean Pass adjacent to Parting of the Waters (the official name of the feature), water actually covers the Continental Divide such that a fish could swim from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean drainages.

5/n

In fact, it is thought that this was the pass that provided the route for rare Yellowstone cutthroat trout to migrate from the Snake River (Pacific) to Yellowstone River (Atlantic) drainages. It is one of the few aquatic species that has crossed a continental divide.

6/n

Conventional wisdom states that it's not possible for a stream to flow in two different directions. It is only made possible because the North Two Ocean Creek lies directly on top of the continental divide, with a shallow ridge in the middle of it that allows water to flow in both directions.

Seismic activity in the future may change this, but for now it remains one of the few examples of a river that ends up in two different oceans. (See also Echimamish River, Isa Lake, Casiquiare Canal. However, Two Ocean Creek is the best example.)

/END