Richmond Creek (Fresh Kills) facts for kids
Richmond Creek is an important stream on Staten Island, New York City. It starts in the quiet, wooded hills in the middle of the island. The creek then flows into the Fresh Kills, a larger waterway.
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Where Does Richmond Creek Start and Go?
Richmond Creek begins at Ohrbach Lake. This lake is found on the land of the Pouch Camp, which is run by the Boy Scouts of America. From there, the creek flows into the Greenbelt. It goes under the busy intersection of Manor Road and Rockland Avenue.
Journey Through Ravines and Historic Areas
The creek then enters the Egbertville Ravine. After leaving the ravine, it flows along the eastern side of Lighthouse Hill. It passes by the western edge of the Richmondtown neighborhood. The creek even flows right through Historic Richmond Town, a place where you can see old buildings.
Richmond Creek's Path to the Bluebelt
South of Richmondtown, the creek reaches a wide, flat area. This area is part of Staten Island's Bluebelt. The Bluebelt is a special protected region of wetlands. Wetlands are lands that are often covered with water, like marshes. Richmond Creek then flows under Richmond Avenue, south of the Staten Island Mall. Finally, it joins the Fresh Kills. This is near the old Fresh Kills Landfill and the new Freshkills Park.
How Was Richmond Creek Used in the Past?
Long ago, during colonial times and in the early 1800s, Richmond Creek was very useful. People used its flowing water to power many mills. There were as many as 11 mills along the creek in the center of Staten Island. One of these old mills in Historic Richmond Town is being fixed up.
Beavers Make a Home in Richmond Creek
In late 2017, a family of beavers moved into Richmond Creek. Beavers are known for building dams and cutting down trees. These beavers cut down over 100 trees! This caused some local flooding. The DEP tried to remove a small dam the beavers built. But the beavers quickly rebuilt it overnight! Beavers are the state mammal of New York. This means they are protected by law, which makes it harder to control their population.
