Accotink Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Accotink Creek |
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Cycling trail over Accotink Creek
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to Potomac River |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fairfax |
| City | Fairfax |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Difficult Run divide Cobbdale, Virginia 360 ft (110 m) 38°51′05″N 077°19′18″W / 38.85139°N 77.32167°W |
| River mouth | Potomac River (Accotink Bay) Fort Belvior Military Reservation 0 ft (0 m) 38°41′56″N 077°09′40″W / 38.69889°N 77.16111°W |
| Length | 23.86 mi (38.40 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | southeast |
| River system | Potomac River |
| Basin size | 52.83 square miles (136.8 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Waterbodies | Lake Accotink |
| Bridges | Hill Street, Scott Drive, Warwick Avenue, US 29, Keith Avenue, Rust Hill Place, Chain Bridge Road, University Drive, US 50 (x2), Old Lee Hwy, Pickett Road, Barkley Drive, Prosperity Avenue, Woodburn Road, King Arthur Road, Accotink Drive, VA 236, VA 620, Old Keene Mill Road, VA 289, Hooes Road, Barta Road, VA 286, Fullerton Road, I-95, Telegraph Road, Ehlers Road, John J. Kingman Road, US 1, Poe Road |
Accotink Creek is a stream in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. It is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) long. This creek is a "tributary," which means it flows into a larger river. Accotink Creek flows into the Potomac River.
A cool fact about Accotink Creek is that it has a dam built across it in Springfield, Virginia. This dam creates a lake called Lake Accotink. The creek eventually flows into a part of the Potomac River called Accotink Bay, near Fort Belvoir.
What's in a Name?
Sometimes, places have different names over time. Accotink Creek is one of those places! Historically, it has also been known by a couple of other names:
- Accotonck Creek
- Main Branch
Where Does It Flow?
Accotink Creek starts in Fairfax County, Virginia. It begins near an area called Difficult Run. From there, the creek flows mostly southeast. It continues its journey until it reaches the Potomac River. The creek meets the Potomac River in Accotink Bay, which is located at the Fort Belvoir Military Reservation.
The Accotink Creek Area
The land area that drains into Accotink Creek is called its "watershed." This watershed covers about 52.82 square miles (136.8 square kilometers). A watershed is like a big bowl where all the rain and water eventually flow into one main stream or river. About 22.5% of this area is covered by forests.
Images for kids
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This map shows the path of Accotink Creek.
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This map shows the entire area that drains into Accotink Creek.
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