Keya_Paha_River
Keya Paha River
River in Nebraska, United States
The Keya Paha River (/ˈkɪpəhɔː/ KIP-ə-haw)[4] is a river flowing 127 miles (204 km)[5] through the U.S. states of South Dakota and Nebraska.
The name is derived from the Dakota language ke'-ya pa-ha', meaning "turtle hill",[6] specifically Turtle Butte.[7] The river's name was given to Keya Paha County, Nebraska, through which it flows.[8]
The river originates in Todd County in south central South Dakota, at the confluence of Antelope Creek and Rock Creek near the town of Hidden Timber.[9] It flows in a generally southeasterly direction through Todd and Tripp counties in South Dakota and then through Keya Paha and Boyd counties in Nebraska.[1] It ends at its confluence with the Niobrara River about 7 miles (11 km) west of Butte, Nebraska.[10] The river has a year-round flow, except for winter ice, and has a quality of water better than all other South Dakota rivers.[11]
In 1861, the border between the Nebraska and Dakota territories followed the Keya Paha River from the 43rd parallel to the river's confluence with the Niobrara; it then followed the Niobrara to Missouri. This situation lasted until 1882 when the boundary was changed to follow the 43rd parallel all the way to Missouri;[12] the change added portions of Keya Paha and Boyd counties to Nebraska.[13]