Black Fork (Cheat River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Fork |
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The Black Fork at Hendricks, West Virginia looking upstream. The confluence of the Blackwater River (left) and the Dry Fork (right) is visible.
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Map of the Monongahela River basin, with Black Fork highlighted.
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Tucker |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Dry Fork Col between Harper and Yokum knobs, Randolph County 3,740 ft (1,140 m) 38°44′01″N 79°38′52″W / 38.73361°N 79.64778°W |
| 2nd source | Blackwater River Canaan Valley, Tucker County 3,540 ft (1,080 m) 39°03′32″N 79°29′04″W / 39.05889°N 79.48444°W |
| River mouth | Cheat River Parsons 1,621 ft (494 m) 39°06′39″N 79°40′44″W / 39.11083°N 79.67889°W |
| Length | 4 mi (6.4 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 500 sq mi (1,300 km2) |
The Black Fork is a small but important river in eastern West Virginia, USA. It flows through the beautiful Allegheny Mountains. This river is a main tributary (meaning a stream that flows into a larger stream or river) of the Cheat River.
The Black Fork is quite short, only about four miles (6 km) long. It forms when two other rivers meet, not far from where it joins the Cheat River. People have traditionally thought of the Black Fork as one of the five main "Forks of Cheat."
Where Does the Black Fork Flow?
The Black Fork is part of a huge watershed (an area of land where all the water drains into one main river system). This system includes the Cheat River, the Monongahela River, and the Ohio River, eventually reaching the mighty Mississippi River.
The Black Fork flows entirely within Tucker County. It begins in the town of Hendricks. Here, two rivers, the Dry Fork and the Blackwater River, come together to form the Black Fork.
From Hendricks, the Black Fork generally flows northwest. It passes through the town of Hambleton. Finally, it reaches Parsons, where it joins with the Shavers Fork to officially create the Cheat River.
What's in a Name?
The official name for this river, "Black Fork," was decided by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 1930.
Before that, it was sometimes called "Blackwater Fork" or even just the Blackwater River. It's interesting how river names can change over time!
Images for kids
See also
- List of West Virginia rivers
- Blackwater Canyon
