McElroy Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McElroy Creek |
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McElroy Creek in Shirley
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A map of McElroy Creek and its watershed
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| Counties | Doddridge, Tyler |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Robinson Fork Doddridge County, northwest of Salem 1,153 ft (351 m) 39°18′23″N 80°35′16″W / 39.3064755°N 80.5878753°W |
| 2nd source | Pike Fork Doddridge County, northeast of Sedalia 1,089 ft (332 m) 39°23′05″N 80°32′35″W / 39.3848083°N 80.5431503°W |
| River mouth | Middle Island Creek southwest of Tyler, Tyler County 686 ft (209 m) 39°25′48″N 80°49′54″W / 39.4300801°N 80.8317721°W |
| Length | 22.1 mi (35.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 106.2 sq mi (275 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Hydrologic Unit Code | 0503020103 (USGS) |
McElroy Creek is a stream in northern West Virginia, United States. It flows for about 22.1 miles (35.6 km). This creek is a tributary of Middle Island Creek. A tributary is a smaller stream that flows into a larger one.
McElroy Creek is part of a huge watershed that eventually leads to the Mississippi River. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common river or lake. The creek's watershed covers about 106.2 square miles (275 km²). It is located in a rural area of the Allegheny Plateau. This part of the plateau was never covered by glaciers.
Where McElroy Creek Flows
McElroy Creek starts in Doddridge County. It forms near a small community called Center Point. Two main streams come together to create McElroy Creek:
- Robinson Fork: This stream is about 10 miles (16 km) long. It begins northwest of Salem. It flows north and then northwest, passing through Sedalia.
- Pike Fork: This stream is about 5.8 miles (9.3 km) long. It starts northeast of Sedalia and flows west.
Just a short distance after these two streams meet, another important stream called the Talkington Fork joins McElroy Creek.
The Creek's Journey
From Center Point, McElroy Creek generally flows west. It moves into the eastern part of Tyler County. Along its path, it passes through several small communities. These include Ashley in Doddridge County and Little Pittsburg and Shirley in Tyler County.
The largest stream that flows into McElroy Creek is Flint Run. This happens right where Doddridge and Tyler Counties meet. Finally, McElroy Creek flows into Middle Island Creek from the east. This meeting point is southwest of the community of Tyler. For most of its journey, West Virginia Route 23 runs alongside the creek.
Historically, people have also spelled the creek's name as "McElroys Creek."
Early History of the Area
The area where the three main streams of McElroy Creek meet was first settled a long time ago. In 1812, two brothers, Joshua Allen (born 1787) and Israel Allen (born 1792), made their home there. This spot is close to what is now Center Point.
At that time, this area was part of District 19 of Harrison County. Later, it became part of Doddridge County. After the American Civil War, the district was renamed McClellan District.
