Sugar Creek (Tuscarawas River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sugar Creek |
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Sugar Creek downstream of Beach City Dam in 2006
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 Location of the mouth of Sugar Creek in Dover, Ohio
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | northwest of Smithville 40°54′32″N 81°55′07″W / 40.90889°N 81.91861°W |
| River mouth | Tuscarawas River Dover 856 ft (261 m) 40°30′39″N 81°28′41″W / 40.51083°N 81.47806°W |
| Length | 45 mi (72 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 356 sq mi (920 km2) |
Sugar Creek is a river in northeastern Ohio, United States. It is a tributary, which means it's a smaller river that flows into a larger one. Sugar Creek flows into the Tuscarawas River.
This creek is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) long. Its water eventually travels through the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers to reach the mighty Mississippi River. This whole area, where all the water drains into one main river system, is called a drainage basin or watershed. Sugar Creek's watershed covers about 356 square miles (922 square kilometers).
Sugar Creek gives its name to the town of Sugarcreek, Ohio. It also names several townships in Ohio's Stark, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties.
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Where Sugar Creek Flows
Sugar Creek starts in the northern part of Wayne County, Ohio. This is about five miles (8 kilometers) northwest of a town called Smithville, Ohio.
From there, it flows mostly southeast. It passes through parts of Stark County, Ohio and Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Along its journey, it flows past towns like Smithville, Brewster, Ohio, Beach City, Ohio, and Strasburg, Ohio.
Finally, Sugar Creek reaches Dover, Ohio. Here, it joins the Tuscarawas River from the west side.
Other Creeks Joining Sugar Creek
As Sugar Creek flows, it collects water from several smaller creeks. These are also named after Sugar Creek:
- Little Sugar Creek flows north through southeastern Wayne County.
- North Fork Sugar Creek flows south of the main Sugar Creek. It starts in southeastern Wayne County and flows east into southwestern Stark County.
- Middle Fork Sugar Creek begins in northeastern Holmes County, Ohio. It flows northeast into Stark County, where it meets Sugar Creek near Brewster.
- South Fork Sugar Creek also starts in northeastern Holmes County. It flows north-northeast into northwestern Tuscarawas County, passing through the community of Sugarcreek, Ohio.
Beach City Dam
The Beach City Dam is located in Tuscarawas County, southeast of Beach City. It's just downstream from where the South Fork joins Sugar Creek. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built this dam in 1936. Its main purpose is to help control floods in the area.
Why the Name "Sugar Creek"?
Sugar Creek got its name because of the many sugar maple trees that grow along its banks. These trees are famous for their sweet sap, which is used to make maple syrup!
Historically, Sugar Creek has also been known by a few other names:
- Margarets Creek
- Margets Creek
- Margret's Creek
- Margrets Creek
