Herbert Hoover’s childhood is trickling away, meandering through the Iowa countryside and merging with larger flows before emerging as one of the world’s great and iconic forces. This trickle is Hoover Creek, the stream at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site that passes alongside Herbert Hoover’s birthplace before draining into the Mississippi later farther downstream.

Young Herbert may have known the creek as only an unnamed marshy slough. It didn’t have much water above ground, but he could follow it downstream to a larger creek to swim and fish. Those boyhood pursuits led to a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors. As president, Hoover added millions of acres to National Parks and National Forests.

The creek also provides a part of the commemorative setting of the National Historic Site. It offers a serene place to contemplate how family and community values influenced a life of great achievements: a young boy, living, learning, playing, and exploring his small town, started on his way to becoming the 31st President of the United States.

Flooding, erosion, and poor water quality are serious problems that degrade Hoover Creek and threaten to damage this commemorative landscape. How can better watershed planning fix these problems?

Hoover Creek may be viewed from the footbridges near the Birthplace Cottage and the Picnic Shelters, both of which are wheelchair accessible.

The creek bank areas below ground level, including the areas beneath all bridges are closed to public use. Except for official activities, walking and climbing on the creek banks is prohibited.

Take a Virtual Tour

This is a stop on the virtual tour of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.