Back Creek (Potomac River)
Encyclopedia
Back Creek is a 59.5 miles (95.8 km) tributary
of the Potomac River
that flows north from Frederick County
, Virginia
, to Berkeley County
in West Virginia
's Eastern Panhandle. Back Creek originates along Frederick County's border with Hampshire County, West Virginia
, at Farmer's Gap in the Great North Mountain
. Its name reflects its location to the west of North Mountain
. The perspective of colonists
from the east in the 18th century led them to call it "Back Creek", because it lay to the back of North Mountain.
waters from Rock Enon Springs
from the east. Capper Ridge bounds Back Creek to its west at Pooles Ford as it makes its way towards Gore, Virginia
. This region on the western flanks of Great North Mountain is rich in sandstone
and sand
deposits, hence the sand mines at Gore. At Gore, Back Creek is joined by Mine Spring and Dry runs.
(U.S. Highway 50) and the Winchester and Western Railroad
. It flows under US 50 along Bowling Green Ridge where it turns east towards Gainesboro
, the site of its confluence with Tavenner Run. From Gainesboro, Back Creek flows beneath the North Frederick Pike (U.S. Highway 522). At Grave Hill, north of Lew, Back Creek is joined by its two major tributaries: Isaacs Creek
and Hogue Creek
. From its fork with Hogue Creek, the stream is bounded by Hunting Ridge to its east. By its confluence with Brush Creek at Baileys Ford, Back Creek is a large stream with increased water flow with depths up to a few feet. Back Creek meanders northward through the community of De Haven
at Warm Springs Ford. Shortly after its horseshoe bend
at De Haven, Back Creek flows into Berkeley County
, West Virginia
.
which developed near it, is crossed by West Virginia Route 45, and goes past Ganotown
. North of Ganotown, after the confluence
with Tub Run, Leading Ridge forms the western edge of Back Creek's valley. It meanders northeast through the community of Shanghai
. From Shanghai, Back Creek continues to be fed by spring streams off North Mountain. With North Mountain bounding it to the east, Back Creek continues northeast, lined by several communities, including Tomahawk
, Hedgesville
, and Soho. The Park's Gap Bridge
crosses Back Creek at Tomahawk. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1994.
Northeast of Soho, Back Creek is joined by another of its major tributaries, Tilhance Creek. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
mainline bridge crosses Back Creek before it flows past Allensville
, where it finally empties into the Potomac River
.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
that flows north from Frederick County
Frederick County, Virginia
Frederick County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is included in the Winchester, Virginia-West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was formed in 1743 by the splitting of Orange County. For ten years it was the home of George Washington. As of 2010, the population was...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, to Berkeley County
Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County is a county located in the Eastern Panhandle region of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population is 104,169, making it the second-most populous county in West Virginia, behind Kanawha...
in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
's Eastern Panhandle. Back Creek originates along Frederick County's border with Hampshire County, West Virginia
Hampshire County, West Virginia
Hampshire County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 23,964. Its county seat is Romney, West Virginia's oldest town . Hampshire County was created by the Virginia General Assembly on December 13, 1753, from parts of Frederick and Augusta counties ...
, at Farmer's Gap in the Great North Mountain
Great North Mountain
Great North Mountain is a long mountain range within the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia. The range is located west of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain in Virginia, and east of the Allegheny Mountains and Cacapon River in West...
. Its name reflects its location to the west of North Mountain
North Mountain (Virginia-West Virginia)
North Mountain is a mountain ridge within the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia.-Geography:North Mountain spans from the Potomac River in the north to the community of Green Spring in Frederick County, Virginia in the south. The ridge is divided into...
. The perspective of colonists
Colony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
from the east in the 18th century led them to call it "Back Creek", because it lay to the back of North Mountain.
Source to Gore
Back Creek's headwaters rise at Farmer's Gap in Great North Mountain. From its source, the creek flows northwest along the western edge of Burnt Ridge off the mountain. It turns toward the northeast, and the shallow stream flows along the western flanks of Great North Mountain, with White Pine Ridge bounding it to its west. Back Creek is joined by a series of mountain streams, including Reed Creek and Lauren Run, both flowing off Great North Mountain. At Dunlap Ford, Back Creek is joined to its west by waters from Gallows Ridge and to its east by those from Cove Ridge. There, it is also joined by Laurel Run, which carries the springSpring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
waters from Rock Enon Springs
Rock Enon Springs, Virginia
Rock Enon Springs is an unincorporated community in Frederick County, Virginia. USA. Rock Enon Springs is located 18 miles west of Winchester on Rock Enon Springs Road off Back Creek Road south of Gore. The community was known for its Rock Enon Springs Resort, which was sold in 1945 and is now...
from the east. Capper Ridge bounds Back Creek to its west at Pooles Ford as it makes its way towards Gore, Virginia
Gore, Virginia
Gore is an unincorporated town in western Frederick County, Virginia, United States located off the Northwestern Turnpike on Gore Road west of Winchester. The community is nestled in the Back Creek valley....
. This region on the western flanks of Great North Mountain is rich in sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
and sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
deposits, hence the sand mines at Gore. At Gore, Back Creek is joined by Mine Spring and Dry runs.
Gore to De Haven
From Gore, Back Creek flows parallel to the south of the Northwestern TurnpikeNorthwestern Turnpike
The Northwestern Turnpike is a historic road in West Virginia , important for being historically one of the major roads crossing the Appalachians, financed by the Virginia Board of Public Works in the 1830s. In modern times, west of Winchester, Virginia, U.S...
(U.S. Highway 50) and the Winchester and Western Railroad
Winchester and Western Railroad
The Winchester and Western Railroad is a shortline railroad operating from Gore through Winchester, Virginia and West Virginia to Hagerstown, Maryland. It also operates several lines in southern New Jersey, connecting to Conrail Shared Assets Operations at Millville and Vineland...
. It flows under US 50 along Bowling Green Ridge where it turns east towards Gainesboro
Gainesboro, Virginia
Gainesboro is an unincorporated community in Frederick County, Virginia. Gainesboro is located northwest of Winchester off of the North Frederick Pike on Gainesboro Road...
, the site of its confluence with Tavenner Run. From Gainesboro, Back Creek flows beneath the North Frederick Pike (U.S. Highway 522). At Grave Hill, north of Lew, Back Creek is joined by its two major tributaries: Isaacs Creek
Isaacs Creek (Back Creek)
Isaacs Creek is a tributary stream of Back Creek in Frederick County, Virginia. Isaacs Creek rises on Timber Ridge at the boundary line with Hampshire County, West Virginia, and flows into Back Creek at Grave Hill shortly before Back Creek's confluence with Hogue Creek...
and Hogue Creek
Hogue Creek
Hogue Creek is a tributary stream of Back Creek in Frederick County, Virginia. Hogue Creek rises on Great North Mountain and flows into Back Creek at Graves Hill.-Tributaries:Tributary streams are listed from headwaters to mouth.*Bucher Run...
. From its fork with Hogue Creek, the stream is bounded by Hunting Ridge to its east. By its confluence with Brush Creek at Baileys Ford, Back Creek is a large stream with increased water flow with depths up to a few feet. Back Creek meanders northward through the community of De Haven
De Haven, Virginia
De Haven is an unincorporated community in northern Frederick County, Virginia. Originally known as Duck Race, De Haven sprang up as a farming community on Back Creek at its confluence with Babbs Run. De Haven is located on Green Spring Road at Hodges Lane .- Historic sites :*Pine Grove...
at Warm Springs Ford. Shortly after its horseshoe bend
Horseshoe Bend
-USA:* Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Alabama, a battle of the Creek War** location of Horseshoe Bend National Military Park* Horseshoe Bend , a meander of the Colorado River in Arizona* Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas* Horseshoe Bend, Idaho...
at De Haven, Back Creek flows into Berkeley County
Berkeley County, West Virginia
Berkeley County is a county located in the Eastern Panhandle region of the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of 2010, the population is 104,169, making it the second-most populous county in West Virginia, behind Kanawha...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
.
De Haven to mouth
Once Back Creek flows into West Virginia, it is fed from numerous spring streams from North Mountain's western flank. Through Berkeley County, Back Creek flows through an expansive valley. It continues north by the community of GlengaryGlengary, West Virginia
Glengary is an unincorporated town situated in Back Creek Valley in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located at the intersection of West Virginia Route 45 with County Routes 7 and 22. According to the 2000 census, the Glengary community has a population of 277....
which developed near it, is crossed by West Virginia Route 45, and goes past Ganotown
Ganotown, West Virginia
Ganotown is an unincorporated community on Back Creek in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located at the crossroads of County Routes 7 and 7/19....
. North of Ganotown, after the confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
with Tub Run, Leading Ridge forms the western edge of Back Creek's valley. It meanders northeast through the community of Shanghai
Shanghai, West Virginia
Shanghai is an unincorporated town in Berkeley County, West Virginia. The town is nestled in Back Creek Valley between Leading Ridge and North Mountain. Shanghai lies at the junction of West Virginia Secondary Route 7 and Secondary Route 18 ....
. From Shanghai, Back Creek continues to be fed by spring streams off North Mountain. With North Mountain bounding it to the east, Back Creek continues northeast, lined by several communities, including Tomahawk
Tomahawk, West Virginia
Tomahawk is an unincorporated town on Back Creek in Berkeley County, West Virginia. The community is named for a nearby spring in the shape of a tomahawk...
, Hedgesville
Hedgesville, West Virginia
Hedgesville is a town in Berkeley County in the U.S. state of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. The population was 240 at the 2000 census. The Town of Hedgesville was laid out in 1832 along the old Warm Springs Road and named for the prominent local Hedges family...
, and Soho. The Park's Gap Bridge
Park's Gap Bridge
Park's Gap Bridge is a historic Howe Truss bridge located near Martinsburg, at Tomahawk, Berkeley County, West Virginia. It was built in 1892, and has a 93 feet long span and 12 feet wide over Back Creek. It is a simple span pony truss supported on stone abutments.It was listed on the National...
crosses Back Creek at Tomahawk. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1994.
Northeast of Soho, Back Creek is joined by another of its major tributaries, Tilhance Creek. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
mainline bridge crosses Back Creek before it flows past Allensville
Allensville, West Virginia
Allensville is an unincorporated hamlet in Berkeley County in the U.S. state of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. It is located on Allensville Road to the east of Back Creek shortly before its confluence with the Potomac River. The claypits in North Mountain along the old Baltimore and Ohio...
, where it finally empties into the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
.
Tributaries
Streams are listed from south (source) to north (mouth).- Reed Creek
- Laurel Run
- White Pine Branch
- Mine Spring Run
- Dry Run
- Albin Run
- Tavenner Run
- Isaacs CreekIsaacs Creek (Back Creek)Isaacs Creek is a tributary stream of Back Creek in Frederick County, Virginia. Isaacs Creek rises on Timber Ridge at the boundary line with Hampshire County, West Virginia, and flows into Back Creek at Grave Hill shortly before Back Creek's confluence with Hogue Creek...
- Hogue CreekHogue CreekHogue Creek is a tributary stream of Back Creek in Frederick County, Virginia. Hogue Creek rises on Great North Mountain and flows into Back Creek at Graves Hill.-Tributaries:Tributary streams are listed from headwaters to mouth.*Bucher Run...
- Brush Creek
- Babbs Run
- Pearris Run
- Cattail Run
- Green Springs Run
- Tub Run
- Tilhance CreekTilhance CreekTilhance Creek is a tributary stream of Back Creek in Berkeley County of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.-Headwaters and course:Tilhance Creek's source is a spring on the eastern flank of Third Hill Mountain in western Berkeley County, West Virginia...
- Whites Run
- Higgins Run
List of cities and towns along Back Creek
- AllensvilleAllensville, West VirginiaAllensville is an unincorporated hamlet in Berkeley County in the U.S. state of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. It is located on Allensville Road to the east of Back Creek shortly before its confluence with the Potomac River. The claypits in North Mountain along the old Baltimore and Ohio...
- De HavenDe Haven, VirginiaDe Haven is an unincorporated community in northern Frederick County, Virginia. Originally known as Duck Race, De Haven sprang up as a farming community on Back Creek at its confluence with Babbs Run. De Haven is located on Green Spring Road at Hodges Lane .- Historic sites :*Pine Grove...
- GainesboroGainesboro, VirginiaGainesboro is an unincorporated community in Frederick County, Virginia. Gainesboro is located northwest of Winchester off of the North Frederick Pike on Gainesboro Road...
- GanotownGanotown, West VirginiaGanotown is an unincorporated community on Back Creek in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located at the crossroads of County Routes 7 and 7/19....
- GlengaryGlengary, West VirginiaGlengary is an unincorporated town situated in Back Creek Valley in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located at the intersection of West Virginia Route 45 with County Routes 7 and 22. According to the 2000 census, the Glengary community has a population of 277....
- GoreGore, VirginiaGore is an unincorporated town in western Frederick County, Virginia, United States located off the Northwestern Turnpike on Gore Road west of Winchester. The community is nestled in the Back Creek valley....
- HedgesvilleHedgesville, West VirginiaHedgesville is a town in Berkeley County in the U.S. state of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. The population was 240 at the 2000 census. The Town of Hedgesville was laid out in 1832 along the old Warm Springs Road and named for the prominent local Hedges family...
- Jones SpringsJones Springs, West VirginiaJones Springs is an unincorporated community in Berkeley County, West Virginia. It is located on County Route 7 at its junction with County Route 7/8. The town, and several of its houses, lies on top of the numerous springs that give the community its name....
- ShanghaiShanghai, West VirginiaShanghai is an unincorporated town in Berkeley County, West Virginia. The town is nestled in Back Creek Valley between Leading Ridge and North Mountain. Shanghai lies at the junction of West Virginia Secondary Route 7 and Secondary Route 18 ....
- Soho
- TomahawkTomahawk, West VirginiaTomahawk is an unincorporated town on Back Creek in Berkeley County, West Virginia. The community is named for a nearby spring in the shape of a tomahawk...