Smithers Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smithers Creek |
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Smithers Creek in Smithers
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A map of Smithers Creek and its watershed
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Fayette |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mount Olive 1,477 ft (450 m) 38°14′18″N 81°14′09″W / 38.2384388°N 81.2359437°W |
| River mouth | Kanawha River Smithers 640 ft (200 m) 38°10′51″N 81°18′38″W / 38.1809390°N 81.3106669°W |
| Length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 18.1 sq mi (47 km2) |
| Hydrologic Unit Code | 050500060303 (USGS) |
Smithers Creek is a small river, or creek, located in the southern part of West Virginia in the United States. It's about 7 miles (11 kilometers) long. This creek is a tributary of the Kanawha River, which means it flows into the Kanawha River. The water from Smithers Creek eventually travels through the Kanawha River to the Ohio River and then to the mighty Mississippi River.
All About Smithers Creek
Smithers Creek is part of a larger watershed or drainage basin. This means it collects all the rainwater and snowmelt from an area of about 18.1 square miles (46.9 square kilometers). This area is mostly in western Fayette County. Some of its smaller streams also collect water from eastern Kanawha County.
The creek flows through a special type of land called the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. This means that glaciers, which are huge sheets of ice, never covered this area. Because of this, the land here looks different from places that were once covered by glaciers.
Where Does It Flow?
Smithers Creek begins in a community called Mount Olive. From there, it generally flows towards the southwest. As it travels, it passes through other small communities. These include Marting and Cannelton.
Finally, the creek reaches the city of Smithers. This is where Smithers Creek joins the larger Kanawha River. A local county road runs alongside the creek for most of its journey, making it easy to see.
Other Names for the Creek
Sometimes, rivers and creeks have different names that people have used over time. For Smithers Creek, some old names include "Smothers Creek," "Smuthers Creek," and "Smythers Creek." These names are recorded in a system that tracks geographic names.
