Simpson Creek (West Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Simpson Creek |
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Simpson Creek in Bridgeport in 2006
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Simpson Creek and its watershed
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| Counties | Barbour, Taylor, Harrison |
| Municipalities | Flemington, Bridgeport |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | northwestern Barbour County 1,522 ft (464 m) 39°11′51″N 80°06′10″W / 39.19750°N 80.10278°W |
| River mouth | West Fork River northeastern Harrison County 902 ft (275 m) 39°20′58″N 80°19′08″W / 39.34944°N 80.31889°W |
| Length | 28 mi (45 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 73 sq mi (190 km2) |
Simpson Creek is a stream in north-central West Virginia, USA. It flows for about 28 miles (45 km) before joining the West Fork River. A "tributary" is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one.
The creek was named after a hunter and trapper named John Simpson. He built a cabin there and lived in it for several months in 1763 and 1764. That's how it got the name "Simpson's Creek."
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Geography of Simpson Creek
Simpson Creek is part of a large "watershed" or "drainage basin." This means all the rain and snow that falls in a certain area eventually flows into Simpson Creek. From there, the water travels through the West Fork River, then the Monongahela River, the Ohio River, and finally the mighty Mississippi River.
The creek drains an area of about 73 square miles (190 km2). This area is part of the Allegheny Plateau, a high, flat area that was not covered by glaciers long ago.
Simpson Creek starts in northwestern Barbour County. This is about 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Philippi. It then flows mostly northwest.
It passes through southeastern Taylor County and northeastern Harrison County. Along its path, it goes through towns like Flemington and Bridgeport.
Finally, Simpson Creek flows into the West Fork River. This meeting point is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south-southwest of Shinnston.
Land Use Around the Creek
The land around Simpson Creek is used in different ways. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection studied the area. They found that most of the land, about 69%, is covered by forests. These are mostly "deciduous" trees, which means they lose their leaves in the fall.
About 26% of the land is used for pasture and agriculture. This means it's used for grazing animals or growing crops. A small part, about 3%, is made up of towns and cities.
The Story of Simpson Creek's Name
The creek is named after John Simpson, a trapper. He traveled with two brothers, John and Samuel Pringle, who had left the army during the French and Indian War.
In 1764, Simpson and the Pringle brothers were looking for new hunting grounds. Simpson wanted to find a place where other hunters wouldn't bother him. The Pringles wanted to stay hidden for their own safety.
During their journey, they had a disagreement. Even though they needed to get along for their safety, they decided to go their separate ways.
Simpson crossed the Tygart Valley River. He then found a new stream and named it "Simpson's Creek." After that, he traveled west and found another stream he called Elk. He built a camp there and lived alone for over a year. He didn't see anyone else during that time.
Later, he went to the South Branch to sell his furs and skins. Then he returned to his camp at the mouth of Elk Creek. This area is now Clarksburg. He stayed there until more people started to settle in the area.
Water Quality and Environment
The water in Simpson Creek has faced some challenges. Runoff from mining operations in the area has affected its quality. "Runoff" is water that flows over the land and picks up substances before entering a stream.
However, things have been getting better in some parts of the creek. In 2006, a section of Simpson Creek near Bridgeport was even stocked with rainbow trout. This means young trout were released into the creek to help the fish population grow.
Other Names for Simpson Creek
Over time, Simpson Creek has been known by a few different names. These are called "variant spellings." The Geographic Names Information System keeps track of these names.
Some of the historical names for Simpson Creek include:
- Simpson's Creek
- Simpsons Creek
- Simpsons Crick
- Simsons Creek
- Simsons Crick
