Kellys Creek (West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kellys Creek |
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Kellys Creek near Cedar Grove
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A map of Kellys Creek and its watershed
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Kanawha |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | west of Hitop 1,383 ft (422 m) 38°17′06″N 81°19′50″W / 38.2851032°N 81.3306696°W |
| River mouth | Kanawha River boundary of Cedar Grove and Glasgow 591 ft (180 m) 38°12′54″N 81°25′46″W / 38.2151036°N 81.4295597°W |
| Length | 6.5 mi (10.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 24.7 sq mi (64 km2) |
| Hydrologic Unit Code | 050500060305 (USGS) |
Kellys Creek is a small river, called a tributary, that flows into the Kanawha River. It is about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) long and is located in West Virginia, United States. Through the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, its water eventually reaches the mighty Mississippi River. This means it is part of the huge watershed (or drainage basin) of the Mississippi.
The creek helps drain an area of about 24.7 square miles (64 square kilometers). This region is known for coal mining and is part of the Allegheny Plateau. The Allegheny Plateau is a large area of high land, and this part of it was not covered by glaciers long ago.
Where Kellys Creek Flows
Kellys Creek flows entirely within the eastern part of Kanawha County. It starts about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) west of a place called Hitop. From there, it flows towards the southwest.
As it travels, the creek passes through several small communities. These include Mammoth and Ward. Finally, it reaches the towns of Cedar Grove and Glasgow.
The creek then flows into the Kanawha River. This happens right where the towns of Cedar Grove and Glasgow meet. For most of its journey, county roads run alongside Kellys Creek.
The Name of Kellys Creek
The creek was named after an early settler in the area, a man named Walter Kelly. Over time, the name has been spelled in a few different ways.
According to the Geographic Names Information System, which keeps track of place names, Kellys Creek has also been called:
- “Kelley Creek”
- “Kelley's Creek”
- “Kelly Creek”
- “Kelly's Creek”
These are all slightly different spellings for the same important creek.
