Middle Creek (Opequon Creek tributary) facts for kids

Middle Creek is a stream in West Virginia. It flows for about 9.7 miles (15.6 kilometers). This stream is a tributary, which means it flows into a larger stream called Opequon Creek. The water from Middle Creek eventually joins the Potomac River and then the Chesapeake Bay. Middle Creek is located in Berkeley County, in the eastern part of West Virginia.

Where Middle Creek Starts and Flows

Middle Creek begins on the eastern side of North Mountain. This mountain is about 1,644 feet (501 meters) tall. The start of the creek is southwest of Martinsburg.

From its beginning, Middle Creek is a small stream. It winds and curves south, flowing next to Poorhouse Road. It continues until it meets West Virginia Route 45. Along this path, other small streams join Middle Creek. These smaller streams are fed by natural springs from North Mountain. Many farmers use this water for their animals.

After flowing under West Virginia Route 45, Middle Creek continues southeast. It passes near the community of Arden. Along its way, the stream is blocked by several small dams. These dams create small lakes and ponds, and also some gentle rapids. Middle Creek then flows under Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11. After that, it gently curves east through the town of Darkesville. From Darkesville, Middle Creek winds through narrow valleys formed by rolling hills. Finally, it joins Opequon Creek.

Water Quality in Middle Creek

The water quality in Middle Creek changes along its path. When the creek is high up on North Mountain, its water is usually clean. This is because there isn't much pollution or many people living there.

However, the water quality gets much worse when other streams join Middle Creek. These streams bring "agricultural runoff" from farms. This means water that has flowed over farmland, picking up things like fertilizers or animal waste. Even with this runoff, the many small dams along Middle Creek help. They can slow down the water and prevent some of the pollution from reaching Opepequon Creek. When Middle Creek finally joins Opequon Creek, its water quality is usually good to moderate.

How Water Flow Changes

The amount of water flowing in Middle Creek changes a lot. This is mostly due to rainfall and the seasons.

In the spring, the creek has a lot of water. This is because spring often brings wet weather and more rain. During the summer, the water flow is usually normal. Heavy thunderstorms can make the water level rise quickly. Short periods of dry weather can make it go down.

In the fall, the water level is often lower than usual. This is because fall tends to be drier with less rain. However, in the winter, the creek usually has the most water. Cold temperatures mean less water evaporates into the air. Also, thick cloud covers can keep the ground wet. The creek rarely freezes completely. But sometimes, still parts of the water can freeze solid.

Animals and Plants of Middle Creek

Middle Creek is home to many different kinds of animals and plants.

• Water Animals: You can find many types of Crayfish and Minnow fish in the creek. Several kinds of turtles also live there, especially the Eastern box turtle. Snakes are very common. The most often seen snakes are Copperheads and Garter snakes.
• Land Animals: Many mammals live near the creek's water. The largest mammal you might see is the White-tailed deer.
• Plants: Along the creek, you'll find different types of grasses, water lilies, and other plants that grow in water. Large trees like Sycamore trees, Tulip Trees, and Willow trees grow their roots deep along the creek's banks.