Deckers Creek facts for kids
Deckers Creek is a stream in West Virginia that's about 24.6-mile-long (39.6 km). It flows into the Monongahela River. The creek starts near Arthurdale and winds its way through different towns. Eventually, it reaches Morgantown and joins the Monongahela River there. For a long time, the creek had pollution from old mining and sewage. But now, people are working hard to clean it up! The creek is also becoming a fun place for outdoor activities.
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Where is Deckers Creek Located?
Deckers Creek is an important stream that flows into the Monongahela River. It drains an area of about 63 square miles (160 km2). The creek begins in Monongalia County at a height of about 2,100 feet (640 m). From there, it twists and turns southeast into Preston County. It passes through Arthurdale before turning north towards Masontown. Then, it makes a sharp turn west and flows through a deep valley back into Monongalia County. It goes past Dellslow before finally reaching the Monongahela River in Morgantown. Here, the creek is about 800 feet (240 m) above sea level.
Why is Deckers Creek Important?
For many years, Deckers Creek faced environmental problems. These issues were mainly from old mining activities and sewage that wasn't properly handled. The biggest problem was something called Acid mine drainage (AMD). This is polluted water from mines that flowed into the creek. It really hurt the water quality, especially in the early 1900s.
Luckily, a group called "Friends of Deckers Creek" started a big cleanup effort in the late 1990s. This group is a non-profit. They have helped bring a lot of attention to the creek. Their hard work has been super important in making the water cleaner and healthier.
What is the History of Deckers Creek?
People from Europe first settled near Deckers Creek in the mid-1700s. They were led by three brothers named Tobias, Garret, and John Decker. That's how the creek got its name! Before the Decker family arrived, different Native American tribes had lived in the area for thousands of years. The first European settlement didn't last long because of attacks from Native Americans. But other European settlers came back a few years later and stayed for good.
By the late 1700s, businesses started to grow along the creek. Later, in the late 1800s, the B&O Railroad built train tracks right along the creek's banks.
What Can You Do at Deckers Creek?
Deckers Creek is now a popular spot for outdoor fun! One of the old railroad tracks has been turned into a public path. This was done by an organization called Rails to Trails. You can use this path for cycling or walking. It used to be part of the Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad.
The rail trail is a favorite place for people in the area. It even hosts special events, like an annual race. The "Friends of Deckers Creek" group sponsors this race to help people learn about protecting the environment. You can also find popular swimming spots near Greer. In the spring, when the water is high, the creek is a great place for whitewater boating adventures!
