Opequon Creek (historically alsoOpecken[1]) is an approximately 35 mile[2]tributarystream of thePotomac River. It was originally known by the Indians and settlers as a river and was historically calledOpequon River as a result[3] It flows into the Potomac northeast ofMartinsburg inBerkeley County,West Virginia, and its source lies northwest of the community ofOpequon at the foot ofGreat North Mountain inFrederick County,Virginia.[4] The Opequon forms part of the boundary between Frederick andClarke counties in Virginia and also partially forms the boundary between Berkeley andJefferson counties in West Virginia'sEastern Panhandle.
Opequon is a name derived from an unidentified local Native American language.[5]
Streams are listed from south (headwaters) to the north (mouth).
The Opequon Creek is home to many species ofcrayfish andminnow. Many species of turtles also inhabit the creek, most notably theeastern box turtle. Snakes are very common, withcopperheads andgarter snakes being the most numerous. Many species of mammals live near the creek's water, the biggest being thewhite-tailed deer. Plants types that live along the creek include grasses, water lilies, and aquatic plants.Sycamore trees,tulip trees, andwillow trees grow along the creeks banks.
Due to water runoff during rainfall, the water flow of the Opequon Creek varies. In the spring, the creek's output of water is very high due to wet conditions during spring. In the summer, the water flow is usually normal, withthunderstorms raising the water, and short-term droughts lowering the water. In the fall, the water level is usually below-normal due to dry conditions and lower rainfall. During the winter however, the creek is usually at its highest because of low evaporation caused by cold temperatures and thick cloud covers. The creek rarely freezes over, but sometimes stagnant water will freeze through.
The water quality of Opequon Creek is very mixed. While the creek is in theNorth Mountain, its water quality is general good because of the low pollution and the low population of North Mountain. Its water quality dramatically drops once it joins the spring-fed streams because of agricultural run-off. Due to numerous dams though, this run-off doesn't always make it to thePotomac River. When it joins the Potomac, its water quality is good to moderate.
39°30′58.35″N77°51′52.99″W / 39.5162083°N 77.8647194°W /39.5162083; -77.8647194