The North Bosque gathers north of Stephenville

The North Bosque is an Erath County river before it becomes part of Lake Waco. Its 97-mile main branch begins north of Stephenville, where two forks meet. The South Fork rises near Lingleville and runs 14 miles. The North Fork rises near Huckabay and runs 11.

After the forks join, the river runs south across the northeastern corner of Hamilton County. It then bends southeast through Bosque and McLennan counties. The East Bosque joins south of Walnut Springs; the Middle and South Bosque join closer to Waco.

Clairette, Hico, Iredell, Meridian, Clifton, and Valley Mills line the longer route. Water gathered near Lingleville and Huckabay is therefore the opening stretch of a river system that reaches Lake Waco.