Little Stony Creek (North Fork Shenandoah River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Stony Creek |
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Little Stony Creek north of the West End Reservoir, viewed from the Little Stony Creek Trail, 12 November 2017.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Shenandoah County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Stony Creek 38°53′40″N 78°39′55″W / 38.894349°N 78.665279°W |
| Length | 6.8 miles (10.9 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Waterbodies | West End Reservoir |
| GNIS feature ID | 1487056 |
Little Stony Creek is a small river in Virginia, about 6.8 miles (11 kilometers) long. It flows through the beautiful George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. This creek is like a smaller branch that feeds into the North Fork Shenandoah River, which then joins the larger Potomac River.
Where Little Stony Creek Begins
Little Stony Creek starts high up in the mountains, about 3,000 feet (914 meters) above sea level. Its very beginning, called the "headwater," is in a deep valley. This valley is located between two mountains, Sugar Knob and Mill Mountain. It's also very close to the border between Virginia and West Virginia.
The West End Reservoir Dam
About 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) from where Little Stony Creek starts, there is a large dam called the West End Reservoir Dam. This dam is 388 feet (118 meters) long and 44 feet (13 meters) high. It was built between 1957 and 1958.
The dam created a reservoir, which is like a big lake. This reservoir used to hold 18 million gallons (about 68 million liters) of water. For many years, this water was the main drinking water source for the nearby town of Woodstock. However, the town stopped using this reservoir in 1979. Now, Woodstock gets its water from the North Fork Shenandoah River instead.
Exploring Wolf Gap Recreation Area
You can visit Little Stony Creek by walking along the Little Stony Creek Trail. This trail is part of the Wolf Gap Recreation Area, a fun place for outdoor activities. It's a great spot to explore nature and see the creek up close.
