Georges Creek (Potomac River tributary) facts for kids
Georges Creek is a stream in western Maryland. It's about 17.6 miles (28.3 kilometers) long. A stream like Georges Creek that flows into a larger river is called a tributary. Georges Creek is a tributary of the North Branch Potomac River.
The creek starts high up on Savage Mountain, near a town called Frostburg. The place where a river or stream begins is called its headwaters. From there, Georges Creek flows through Allegany County. It finally empties into the North Branch Potomac River at Westernport.
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The Georges Creek Valley
The area around Georges Creek is known as the Georges Creek Valley. This valley is famous for its rich history of coal mining. For many years, people have dug for coal here.
Coal Mining History
In the 1800s, many small towns grew up along the Georges Creek Valley. These towns were built for the miners and their families. Miners worked hard to dig out the valuable coal from the ground.
Types of Coal Mining
Long ago, most coal was found in "deep mines." These were underground tunnels where miners went deep into the earth. Today, some coal is still mined, but often through "surface mining." This means removing the top layers of earth to get to the coal closer to the surface.
Towns Along the Creek
As Georges Creek flows towards the Potomac River, it passes through several small towns. These towns include Borden Shaft, Midland, Gilmore, Lonaconing, Nikep, Moscow, and Barton. Each of these towns has a connection to the valley's mining past.
Smaller Streams Joining Georges Creek
Many smaller streams flow into Georges Creek, adding to its water. These smaller streams are also tributaries. Some of them include Sand Spring Run, Winebrenner Run, Neff Run, Staub Run, Squirrel Neck Run, Elklick Run, Hill Run, Koontz Run, Jackson Run, Laurel Run, Butcher Run, Moores Run, and Mill Run.
