This muddy little creek is a tributary of the Red Deer River.The water comes primarily from the surrounding croplands, which are irrigated during the growing season.
Dinosaur Provincial Park lies within a semi-arid desert region called the Canadian Badlands. This particularly dry zone is called the Palliser Triangle. This region receives around 30CM of precipitation annually, with only half of that falling during growing season. This is not adequate for growing crops. As such, local ranchers have adapted by irrigating their fields.
This creek is super muddy because of the journey it takes through the valley here in Dinosaur Provincial Park. It rises significantly during spring melt, and any large rainfall. This causes abundant erosion; the edges of the creek are scraped away by the water, revealing ancient buried sediments. This has allowed researchers to learn more about deposits here in Dinosaur Provincial Park.
Some things to remember while searching: Dinosaur Provincial Park is home to Prairie Rattlesnakes. These snakes are venomous, but if you avoid long grass and and listen for their rattling warning, you are likely to avoid an encounter. There are also Black Widow spiders and Northern Scorpions which call Dinosaur Provincial Park their home. Avoid placing your hands or feet anywhere your eyes haven't been, and you probably won't even see these critters! Finally, after rainfall, the mudstone and sandstone can become very slippery. Searching for geocaches among the hills should be reserved for dry days.
Please remember that you are in a provincial park, and as such, it is your responsibility to ensure you are respecting the natural environment. You can do this by making sure you stay on the designated trails and avoid disturbing plants and animals found here. Additionally, if you find any fossils while in the park, please remember it is against the law to remove or disturb them.
Good luck, and have fun!