Big Darby Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Darby Creek |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Scioto River, Columbus, Ohio |
| Length | 84 miles (135 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Lower Scioto River Basin |
| Basin size | 556.6 square miles (1,442 km2) |
| Type: | Scenic |
| Designated: | March 10, 1994 |
The Big Darby Creek is a very special river in central Ohio. It's known as a scenic river because of its natural beauty and important wildlife. This river is a major branch, or tributary, that flows into the larger Scioto River. Its main branch is called the Little Darby Creek.
Big Darby Creek is about 84 miles (135 km) long. It starts near the border of Champaign and Union counties. From there, it flows southeast through Union and Madison Counties. When it reaches Franklin County, the river goes through the huge 7,060 acres (2,860 ha) Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. This is where it meets up with the Little Darby Creek. After leaving the park, the river empties into the Scioto River in Pickaway County.
This creek is one of the most diverse places for water animals in the Midwestern United States. It used to be the only home of a fish called the Scioto madtom, which sadly is now thought to be extinct. But even without that fish, Big Darby Creek has more kinds of freshwater mussels than almost anywhere else in North America! Forty different types of mussels have been found here. Scientists have also found 72 different kinds of fish in the creek. Plus, over 80 types of birds that live near rivers have been seen along Big Darby Creek.
Protecting Big Darby Creek
Back in 1967, the city of Columbus had plans to buy land along the river to build a large water storage area, called a reservoir. This idea caused a big discussion between the city and several groups who wanted to protect nature. These groups worked with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to save the river.
For many years, from 1974 to 1984, there were legal battles about the river's future. Finally, the Ohio Supreme Court decided that the idea of calling a river "scenic" to protect it was allowed by law. Because of this, on June 22, 1984, both the Upper and Lower Darby Creeks were officially named state scenic rivers. Later, on March 10, 1994, they were added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, which is a national program to protect special rivers. In 2003, Big Darby and Little Darby Creeks even got their own special Historical Markers!
People continue to work hard to protect Big Darby Creek. In 2008, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium opened a new exhibit. It teaches visitors all about Big Darby Creek and its many rare fish and mussels. In 2009, the City of Columbus, Franklin County Metro Parks, and other groups spent over $6 million on projects to help restore parts of the river and its branches.
The highest flood ever recorded on Big Darby Creek was 17.94 feet (5.47 m) on January 22, 1959.
Gallery
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Historical Marker in Galloway
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Flood Gauge in Pickaway County
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Big Darby Creek downstream from meeting Little Darby creek
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Bridge crossing Big Darby Creek located on Scioto-Darby Road in Pickaway County
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Confluence of the Big (front) and Little (rear) Darby creeks
