Unadilla River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Unadilla River
Historic marker of the Unadilla River
Location of the mouth of Unadilla River
Other name(s)	Tianadara
Country	United States
State	New York
Region	Central New York Region
Physical characteristics
Main source	NE of Millers Mills, New York 42°55′57″N 75°01′39″W / 42.93250°N 75.02750°W / 42.93250; -75.02750
River mouth	Susquehanna River Sidney, New York 961 ft (293 m) 42°19′00″N 75°24′36″W / 42.3168°N 75.4100°W / 42.3168; -75.4100
Length	71 mi (114 km)
Basin features
Tributaries	Left: Campbell Brook, Wharton Creek, Butternut Creek, Rogers Hollow Brook Right: North Winfield Creek, West Branch Unadilla River, Button Creek, Beaver Creek, Tallette Creek, Center Brook, Mill Brook, Great Brook, White Store Brook, Kent Brook, Guilford Creek, Peckham Brook

The Unadilla River is a river in New York State that is about 71-mile-long (114 km). It starts northeast of a small town called Millers Mills. The river then flows south until it joins the Susquehanna River near the village of Sidney. The Susquehanna River eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.

For most of its path, the Unadilla River acts as a natural boundary. It forms the western edge of Otsego County. At the same time, it forms the eastern edge of Chenango County and Madison County. These are all counties in New York. This river border was a very important part of the Fort Stanwix Treaty Line of 1768. This treaty was an agreement made in 1768 to set a boundary for Native American lands. It was meant to stop European-American settlers from moving into these areas. However, settlers often ignored these rules and continued to move onto Native American territories.

River Branches

The Unadilla River has two main parts, or branches. These two branches meet up at a place called Unadilla Forks. This spot is right on the border between Otsego County and Madison County.

Main Unadilla River

The main part of the Unadilla River is simply called the Unadilla River. It begins in the southwestern part of Herkimer County. Specifically, its source is northeast of the small community of Millers Mills.

West Branch of the Unadilla

The other part is known as the West Branch Unadilla River. This branch starts a few miles north of Bridgewater. This area is in the southeastern part of Oneida County. A long time ago, in the early 1700s, this branch was known by a different name: Eghwagy Creek.

Smaller Streams Joining the Unadilla

Many smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into the Unadilla River. Here are some of them, listed from north to south:

• Campbell Brook: This stream joins the Unadilla from the east. It's found near the Skaneateles Turnpike, north of Leonardsville.
• Button Creek: This creek flows in from the west. You can find it between Leonardsville and West Edmeston.
• Beaver Creek: Coming from the west, this creek joins the river between South Brookfield and Columbus Quarter.
• Tallette Creek: Also from the west, this creek is near Columbus Quarter.
• Center Brook: This stream flows into the Unadilla from the west at New Berlin.
• Wharton Creek: Joining from the east, this creek also meets the Unadilla at New Berlin.
• Butternut Creek: This creek comes from the east, near Mount Upton.
• Guilford Creek: Flowing in from the west, this creek is located north of Sidney.

Past Names of the Unadilla River

Over time, the Unadilla River has been called by several different names and spellings. This was especially true in the 1700s. Some of these names include:

• Che-on-a-dill-ha (from the Oneida language)
• Teyonadelhouogh (used in 1753)
• Tiona-derha (seen on a map from 1768)
• Tienaderha (on maps from 1771 and 1779)
• Tianaderaha (on a map from around 1790)
• Tianaderha (used in the Fort Stanwix Treaty of 1768)
• Tunadilla (a common spelling in letters during the 1700s)
• Susquehannock (on an 18th-century map)