Fall Kill facts for kids
The Fall Kill is a small creek in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It flows for about 38 kilometers (24 miles) and eventually joins the mighty Hudson River in the city of Poughkeepsie.
Quick facts for kids Fall Kill |
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Fall Kill draining into the Hudson River, as seen from the Walkway over the Hudson
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Location of the mouth of the Fall Kill in New York State
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Dutchess County |
| City | Poughkeepsie |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Town of Clinton 41°50′43″N 73°52′24″W / 41.84528°N 73.87333°W |
| River mouth | Hudson River City of Poughkeepsie 41°42′33″N 73°56′25″W / 41.70917°N 73.94028°W |
| Length | 38 mi (61 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 19.5 sq mi (51 km2) |
Contents
Where Does the Fall Kill Flow?
The Fall Kill starts its journey in the towns of Hyde Park and Clinton. From there, it flows south through the town and city of Poughkeepsie. Finally, it empties into the Hudson River.
The Creek's Watery Home
The area that collects water for the Fall Kill, called its drainage basin, covers about 19.5 square miles (50.5 square kilometers). This basin is part of the larger Hudson Direct Watershed. Back in 2000, about 28,500 people lived in this area.
Nature and City Life Along the Creek
The Fall Kill changes quite a bit along its path. The northern part of the creek is home to peaceful marshes and wetlands. These areas are very important because they provide a safe home for several rare or endangered animals and plants.
The Creek in the City
As the Fall Kill flows south, it enters more developed areas. In the city of Poughkeepsie, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of the creek were changed a long time ago. During the Great Depression, stone walls were built to create a channel for the creek.
A Creek with History
The Fall Kill was once very important for local industries. For example, the Innis Dye Works building, which was built in the 1830s, is right next to the creek. The creek's flowing water was used to power machines that ground materials for making dyes.
What Kind of Creek is the Fall Kill?
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has given the Fall Kill a "Class C" rating. This means the creek is clean enough for fishing, which is great news for anglers! The Fall Kill is also known as a "third order stream" by the time it reaches the Hudson River. This is a way scientists classify rivers based on how many smaller streams flow into them.
