Alum Creek (Ohio)

Alum Creek is 58-mile (93 km) long creek that runs north to south in central Ohio. The creek originates in Morrow County and then flows through Delaware County and finally into Franklin County, where it ends at Big Walnut Creek, which drains into the Scioto River. Alum Creek is a source of drinking water for the city of Westerville, Ohio.[5]

Alum Creek
The confluence of the Alum Creek and Big Walnut Creek. Alum Creek is in the center of the image and Big Walnut Creek is coming from the right.
Location
CountryUnited States of America
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • location40°32′00″N 082°49′02″W[1] 1 mile (1.6 km) South-West of Mount Gilead
 • elevation1,160 ft (350 m)[2]
Mouth 
 • location
39°52′52″N 082°54′27″W[1] Big Walnut Creek near Obetz, Ohio
 • elevation
718 ft (219 m)[1]
Basin size199 sq mi (520 km2)[3]
Discharge 
 • locationColumbus
 • average195.6 cu ft/s (5.54 m3/s), USGS water years 1974-1998[4]
Map of Alum Creek highlighted within the Scioto River watershed

History

The Alum Creek valley was inhabited by the Adena over 2,000 years ago. This mound builder culture constructed seven mounds along Alum Creek. The Lenape (Delaware) Indian tribe later established many settlements near the creek.

One of the first European settlers was Colonel Moses Byxbe, who constructed his home on Alum Creek in 1805. Colonel Byxbe owned or co-owned 38,000 acres (150 km2) along the creek.

As a defensive measure during the War of 1812, local residents built four blockhouses in the area, including one on Alum Creek. The blockhouse, Fort Cheshire, was a 2-story log fortress, constructed so as to provide a place from which to shoot, drop boiling water, and defend against the threat of fire. The blockhouse was subsequently used as a schoolhouse and remained intact until the Civil War. The fort is commemorated by a bronze plaque where the blockhouse once stood.

Underground Railroad

The history of Alum Creek is also notable for its connection to the Underground Railroad, by which many slaves found their freedom. The Underground Railroad's Sycamore Trail ran along Alum Creek. Africa Road, near Alum Creek, is so named because of the nearby settlement of thirty freed slaves from North Carolina. In 2003 a plaque was erected in associated with The Ohio Historical Society to commemorate its significance.[6]

Course

Alum Creek rises near Mt. Gilead, Ohio and runs south, where it joins with Bunker Run, Indigo Creek, and West Branch Alum Creek. It then flows into Alum Creek Lake, along with Big Run. It flows out of the reservoir through Alum Creek Dam, and joins with several tributaries. It flows through Westerville, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio, before joining with Big Walnut Creek with Blacklick Creek in Three Creeks Metro Park.

Also known as
Alum Creek joining Big Walnut Creek

Watershed

Alum Creek Lake

Near 40°10′36″N 082°57′24″W Elevation: 833 feet (254 m)[7]

In 1974, the Army Corps of Engineers completed the Alum Creek Reservoir near the middle portion of the creek length. The reservoir has a surface area of 3,387 acres (1,371 ha) of water and was created to ensure a water supply for the city of Columbus, provide flood control for the area south of the reservoir, and yield recreational opportunities.[8]

Alum Creek Lake Dam
Alum Creek Dam

Near 40°10′36″N 082°57′24″W Elevation: 833 feet (254 m)[9]

Alum Creek Dam is part of the flood control plan for the Ohio River basin. Construction of the dam was authorized by the United States Congress as part of the Flood Control Act of 1962. Dam construction began in 1970 and was completed in 1974 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.[10]

The Dam is located in Delaware County and its construction created Alum Creek Lake.

Tributaries
  • West Branch Alum Creek
  • Indigo Creek
  • Bunker Run

See also

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alum Creek
  2. United States Geological Survey. Mount Gilead quadrangle, Ohio. 1:24,000. 7.5 Minute Series. Washington D.C.: United States Geological Survey, 1973.
  3. "Map of Ohio watersheds". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original (GIF) on 2007-03-11.
  4. "USGS Water-Year Summary for Ohio". waterdata.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  5. "City of Westerville FAQs". Archived from the original on 2006-09-23. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  6. "Alum Creek State Park".
  7. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alum Creek Lake
  8. Byrom, Jack S. Assessment of the Hydrological Effects of Urbanization on the Lower Alum Creek Watershed of Central Ohio. Epistimi 2004, Vol I. Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine
  9. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alum Creek Lake Dam
  10. "Ohio State Parks & Watercraft".

USGS Southeast Columbus, United States Geological Survey. Southeast Columbus quadrangle, Ohio. 1:24,000. 7.5 Minute Series. Washington D.C.: United States Geological Survey, 1992.

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