Mill Creek (South Branch Potomac River tributary) facts for kids

Mill Creek at Mechanicsburg Gap near Romney

Mill Creek is a stream in West Virginia that's about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) long. It's like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one. Mill Creek joins the South Branch Potomac River, which then flows into the Potomac River. Eventually, this water reaches the Chesapeake Bay.

You can find Mill Creek in Hampshire County, which is in the eastern part of West Virginia. The creek flows into the South Branch Potomac River near a place called Vanderlip. This spot is close to the Northwestern Turnpike, also known as U.S. Route 50.

Where Mill Creek Starts and Flows

Mill Creek begins high up on Patterson Creek Mountain. This mountain is about 2,641 feet tall. The very start of the creek is in the southwest corner of Hampshire County. This area is special because four counties meet there: Mineral, Hampshire, Hardy, and Grant.

As Mill Creek flows, it meets another small stream called Elmlick Run. This happens north of Purgitsville. From there, Mill Creek flows north, running alongside U.S. Route 220 and West Virginia Route 28. It passes through a community called Rada.

The creek continues to follow U.S. Route 220 and W.V. Route 28. When it reaches Junction, it flows under U.S. Route 50 and then turns eastward. East of Junction, the creek flows past the Sloan–Parker House. It then heads northeast, with Mill Creek Mountain (2,119 feet tall) on its east side and Patterson Creek Mountain on its west.

At Mechanicsburg, Mill Creek gets bigger. Other streams like Titus Run, Sugar Run, and Dumpling Run join it. The wider creek then makes a sharp turn and enters Mechanicsburg Gap. This gap is a natural opening through Mill Creek Mountain. It was important for pioneers and settlers in the 1700s. They used it as a pathway to travel further west.

Near the gap, you can find the Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches on Mill Creek Mountain. These are old trenches from the Civil War. Mill Creek then winds northward towards Vanderlip. There, it goes under a wooden train bridge belonging to the South Branch Valley Railroad before joining the South Branch Potomac River.

Fishing for Trout

If you like fishing, Mill Creek is a great spot! It's filled with rainbow trout. The trout are added to the stream from where it meets the South Branch all the way up to Junction.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources helps keep the stream stocked with fish. They add trout once in February and then every two weeks from March through May.

Bridges Over Mill Creek

Mill Creek has several bridges that cross over it. These bridges help people and trains get from one side to the other.

Smaller Streams Joining Mill Creek

Many smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into Mill Creek. They are listed here from south to north, meaning from where Mill Creek starts to where it ends:

• Elmlick Run
• Camp Run
• Horselick Run
• Titus Run
• Sugar Run
• Dumpling Run
  • Mayhew Run
  • Long Meadow Run
• Core Run

Images for kids

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  Mill Creek at Mechanicsburg Gap viewed from the Core Road bridge near Romney

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  Mill Creek at Mechanicsburg Gap viewed from the Core Road bridge near Romney

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  Mill Creek at Mechanicsburg Gap viewed from the Core Road bridge near Romney

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  Mill Creek at Mechanicsburg Gap viewed from the Core Road bridge near Romney

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  Mill Creek at Mechanicsburg Gap viewed from the Core Road bridge near Romney

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  Mill Creek at Mechanicsburg Gap viewed from the Core Road bridge near Romney

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  Mill Creek viewed from Trinity Road bridge at Junction

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  Mill Creek viewed from Trinity Road bridge at Junction

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  Mill Creek viewed from Trinity Road bridge at Junction

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  Mill Creek viewed from Trinity Road bridge at Junction

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  Mill Creek viewed from Trinity Road bridge at Junction