| Alum Creek | |
|---|---|
 The confluence of the Alum Creek andBig Walnut Creek. Alum Creek is in the center of the image and Big Walnut Creek is coming from the right. | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States of America |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | 40°32′00″N082°49′02″W / 40.53333°N 82.81722°W /40.53333; -82.81722[1] 1 mile (1.6 km) South-West ofMount Gilead |
| • elevation | 1,160 ft (350 m)[2] |
| Mouth | |
• location | 39°52′52″N082°54′27″W / 39.88111°N 82.90750°W /39.88111; -82.90750[1]Big Walnut Creek nearObetz, Ohio |
• elevation | 718 ft (219 m)[1] |
| Basin size | 199 sq mi (520 km2)[4] |
| Discharge | |
| • location | Columbus |
| • average | 195.6 cu ft/s (5.54 m3/s),USGSwater years 1974-1998[3] |
Alum Creek is a 58-mile (93 km) long creek that runs north to south in centralOhio. The creek originates inMorrow County and then flows throughDelaware County and finally intoFranklin County, where it ends atBig Walnut Creek, which drains into theScioto River. Alum Creek is a source of drinking water for the city ofWesterville, Ohio.[5]
The Alum Creek valley was inhabited by theAdena over 2,000 years ago. Thismound builder culture constructed seven mounds along Alum Creek. TheLenape (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 theWar 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 theCivil War. The fort is commemorated by a bronze plaque where the blockhouse once stood.
The history of Alum Creek is also notable for its connection to theUnderground 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]
Alum Creek rises nearMt. Gilead, Ohio and runs south, where it joins with Bunker Run, Indigo Creek, and West Branch Alum Creek. It then flows intoAlum Creek Lake, along with Big Run. It flows out of the reservoir through Alum Creek Dam, and joins with several tributaries. It flows throughWesterville, Ohio andColumbus, Ohio, before joining with Big Walnut Creek with Blacklick Creek inThree Creeks Metro Park.
Near40°10′36″N082°57′24″W / 40.17667°N 82.95667°W /40.17667; -82.95667 (Alum Creek Lake) Elevation: 833 feet (254 m)[7]
In 1974, theArmy 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 awater supply for the city of Columbus, provideflood control for the area south of the reservoir, and yield recreational opportunities.[8]
Near40°10′36″N082°57′24″W / 40.17667°N 82.95667°W /40.17667; -82.95667 (Alum Creek Lake Dam) Elevation: 833 feet (254 m)[9]
Alum Creek Dam is part of the flood control plan for theOhio River basin. Construction of the dam was authorized by theUnited States Congress as part of the Flood Control Act of 1962. Dam construction began in 1970 and was completed in 1974 by theUnited States Army Corps of Engineers.[10]
The Dam is located in Delaware County and its construction created Alum Creek Lake.
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.
