Keya Paha River
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| Keya Paha River | |
|---|---|
 Keya Paha River near Nebraska-South Dakota border | |
 Keya Paha River in light green at right center | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota, Nebraska |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Todd County, South Dakota |
| • coordinates | 43°13′38″N 100°23′18″W / 43.22722°N 100.38833°W[1] |
| Mouth | Niobrara River in Boyd County, Nebraska |
• coordinates | 42°53′54″N 98°59′6″W / 42.89833°N 98.98500°W[1] |
| Length | 127 mi (204 km) |
| Basin size | 1,710 sq mi (4,400 km2)[2] |
| Discharge | |
| • location | near Naper |
| • average | 139 cu/ft. per sec.[3] |
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]
