Catoctin Creek (Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catoctin Creek |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| Region | Loudoun County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Waterford 39°12′35″N 77°37′16″W / 39.2098253°N 77.6211015°W |
| River mouth | Potomac River Point of Rocks, Maryland 217 ft (66 m) 39°16′32″N 77°33′04″W / 39.2756576°N 77.5510994°W |
| Length | 14 mi (23 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Potomac River |
| Basin size | 92.54 sq mi (239.7 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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Catoctin Creek is a cool stream in Loudoun County, Virginia. It flows for about 14 miles (22.7 kilometers). This creek is a "tributary," which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger river. In this case, it flows into the mighty Potomac River.
The area of land that drains into Catoctin Creek is called its "watershed." This watershed is huge, covering about 59,000 acres (238 square kilometers)! Most of this land (67 percent) is used for farming. About 30 percent of the watershed is covered by forests. Catoctin Creek is super important because it helps drain water from the northern part of the Loudoun Valley.
Contents
Where Does Catoctin Creek Flow?
Catoctin Creek has two main parts that join together: the North Fork and the South Fork. These two branches combine to form the main creek.
The North Fork's Journey
The North Fork Catoctin Creek is about 14.5 miles (23.3 kilometers) long. It starts near the Blue Ridge Mountains, close to the West Virginia border. This area is called the Between the Hills valley.
As it flows, State Route 9 follows it westward. The North Fork passes through a gap in Short Hill Mountain at a town called Hillsboro. From a place called Wheatland, the North Fork then turns and flows northeast.
The South Fork's Path
The South Fork Catoctin Creek is a bit longer, about 18.5 miles (29.8 kilometers). It begins just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Wilson Gap on the West Virginia border.
From its start, the South Fork flows southeast towards Purcellville. Then, it changes direction, turning north and east towards Waterford. Finally, it flows north again until it meets up with the North Fork.
The Main Creek's Route
The main part of Catoctin Creek forms when its North and South Forks meet. This happens along the western side of Catoctin Mountain, just north of Waterford.
The creek then flows north along the side of Catoctin Mountain, passing through a small village called Taylorstown. Catoctin Creek keeps winding along the northern edge of Furnace Mountain. Finally, it empties into the Potomac River. You can find where it joins the Potomac north of the U.S. Highway 15 bridge, across from Point of Rocks in Maryland.
