Simpson Creek (West Virginia)
Simpson Creek | |
---|---|
![]() Simpson Creek in Bridgeport in 2006 | |
![]() Simpson Creek and its watershed | |
Location | |
Country | United States |
State | West Virginia |
Counties | Barbour, Taylor, Harrison |
Municipalities | Flemington, Bridgeport |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | northwestern Barbour County |
• coordinates | 39°11′51″N 80°06′10″W / 39.19750°N 80.10278°W[1] |
• elevation | 1,522 ft (464 m)[2] |
Mouth | West Fork River |
• location | northeastern Harrison County |
• coordinates | 39°20′58″N 80°19′08″W / 39.34944°N 80.31889°W[1] |
• elevation | 902 ft (275 m)[1] |
Length | 28 mi (45 km) |
Basin size | 73 sq mi (190 km2) |
Simpson Creek is a tributary of the West Fork River, 28 miles (45 km) long,[3] in north-central West Virginia, USA. The stream was named for hunter and trapper John Simpson, who left his name on it ("Simpson's Creek") after building and living in a cabin there for several months in 1763 and '64.[4]
Geography
Via the
According to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, approximately 69% of Simpson Creek's watershed is forested, mostly deciduous. Approximately 26% is used for pasture and agriculture, and approximately 3% is urban.[5]
History
Simpson traveled in company with a pair of deserters from the
Simpson was apparently prone to quarreling. According to another 19th-century local historian:
Simpson’s cabin was located about one mile from Clarksburg, on the west side of the West Fork River…. Simpson became indebted to a man named Cottrial[8] to the amount of “one quart of salt” (a precious article at the time), which he agreed to pay him, either in money or salt, upon his return from Winchester, whither he was going to dispose of a stock of skins and furs. Upon his return, a dispute arose between them, regarding the payment, and Cottrial, in the heat of passion, hastened from the house, and grasping Daniel Davisson’s gun, which stood leaning against the cabin, took aim through the space between the logs, and attempted to shoot Simpson. The latter, however, was too quick for him, and springing outside, grasped the gun from Cottrial’s hands and killed him. This was the first tragedy of this nature in the vicinity.[9]
Pollution
The water quality of Simpson Creek has been impacted by runoff from mining operations in the region, but conditions have slowly improved in some areas; a section of the creek in Bridgeport was stocked with rainbow trout in 2006.[10]
Variant spellings
According to the Geographic Names Information System, Simpson Creek has also been known historically as:[1]
- Simpson's Creek
- Simpsons Creek
- Simpsons Crick
- Simsons Creek
- Simsons Crick
See also
- List of West Virginia rivers
- Bridgeport Lamp Chimney Company Bowstring Concrete Arch Bridge
- Simpson Creek Covered Bridge
References
- ^ a b c d Geographic Names Information System. "Geographic Names Information System entry for Simpson Creek (Feature ID #1546817)". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- GNISsource coordinates. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Watershed Assessment, Tracking & Environmental Results: Assessment Summary for Reporting Year 2008, West Virginia, West Fork Watershed". Archived from the original on 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
- ^ Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, West Virginia: The Place Name Press. p. 579.
- ^ a b West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. "Watershed Atlas Project". pp. West Fork River. Archived from the original on 2005-04-04. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
- ISBN 0-89933-246-3.
- ^ Withers, Alexander Scott (1831), Chronicles of Border Warfare, or, A History of the Settlement by the Whites, of north-western Virginia: and of the Indian wars and massacres, in that section of the state; with reflections, anecdotes, &c., Clarksburg, Va.: J. Israel, pg 90.
- ^ This incident occurred sometime around 1779-1781. The Mr. Cottrial, or Cotrill, in question was one of two brothers who both died around that time: Andrew Cotrill, Jr (1736-ca. 1781) and Samuel Cotrill (1740-1779). See: Haymond, Henry (1910), History of Harrison County, West Virginia: From the Early Days of Northwestern Virginia to the Present; Morgantown, West Virginia: Acme Publishing Company, pg 384.
- ^ Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia; "Special Virginia Edition" (1883-84; originally in 13 vols); reprinted in 1974 in Comstock, Jim (editor), West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia; 51 vol. [Exclusive run of 3,000 sets; never reprinted] (1974-1976). Supplemental series, Vol 6., Chapt. I (“Harrison County”), pp 10-11.
- ^ West Virginia University Extension Service. "Fish Tales Newsletter, Vol.4 No.2, Summer 2006: Simpson Creek Comes Full Circle". Retrieved 2010-07-03.