Fall Creek (Indiana)
Encyclopedia
Fall Creek is a non-navigable waterway
in Indiana
, and a tributary of the White River
. It is 57.5 miles (92.5 km) long and has a watershed drainage area of 318 square miles (823.6 km²) in central Indiana before flowing into the White River in Indianapolis
. As it flows southwest, Fall Creek is the namesake of three townships in Indiana, in Henry County
, Madison County
, and then Hamilton County
.
Fall Creek begins near the town of Honey Creek, Indiana
. Initially, it flows north, and crosses just into Delaware County
, near Bell Creek, another tributary of the White River that joins the West Fork near Yorktown
. Here, Fall Creek turns sharply to the southwest, crossing near Middletown
. Tributaries in Henry County
include Honey Creek and Sugar Creek.
In Madison County
, Fall Creek joins with Sly Fork in Adams Township
. In Pendleton
, the creek joins Prairie Creek, and forms the basis of the Fall Creek Park of 150 acres (607,029 m²). Here, on 12 January 1825, the first execution of a white man for crimes against Native Americans in the United States
was held when James Hudson was hanged for his role in the Fall Creek Massacre
of 1824. Three small waterfalls are found in succession at the park, and at points the creek becomes wide and shallow enough to nearly walk across.
Fall Creek is joined by Lick Creek just over the Hamilton County
line. It crosses the southeast corner of Hamilton County through Geist Reservoir
. The reservoir is created and maintained by a dam in Marion County
.
Below the reservoir, the creek continues, and flows through Fort Harrison State Park
, where pedestrian nature trails follow the course of the creek. Beyond the park, a paved trail follows the creek through Indianapolis
. Fall Creek is dammed again in Indianapolis, at Keystone Avenue and Binford Boulevard. At downtown Indianapolis, Fall Creek actually crosses the Indiana Central Canal
before emptying into the White River at 10th Street and White River Parkway, near the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
and across the street from the Veterans Administration
hospital. Indianapolis is a planned city and was purposely located near the confluence of Fall Creek and the White River; Fall Creek provided water power for early industrial development in the city.
Waterway
A waterway is any navigable body of water. Waterways can include rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, and canals. In order for a waterway to be navigable, it must meet several criteria:...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, and a tributary of the White River
White River (Indiana)
The White River is a two-forked river that flows through central and southern Indiana and is the main tributary to the Wabash River. Via the west fork, considered to be the main stem of the river by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the White River is long.-West Fork:The West Fork, long, is...
. It is 57.5 miles (92.5 km) long and has a watershed drainage area of 318 square miles (823.6 km²) in central Indiana before flowing into the White River in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. As it flows southwest, Fall Creek is the namesake of three townships in Indiana, in Henry County
Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana
Fall Creek Township is one of thirteen townships in Henry County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,811.-Geography:Fall Creek Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.05 percent is water...
, Madison County
Fall Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana
Fall Creek Township is one of fourteen townships in Madison County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 13,363.-Geography:...
, and then Hamilton County
Fall Creek Township, Hamilton County, Indiana
Fall Creek Township is one of nine townships in Hamilton County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 17,079. An estimated 32,151 residents are living in the township as of 2007.-Geography:...
.
Honey Creek, Indiana
Honey Creek is an unincorporated town in Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Indiana....
. Initially, it flows north, and crosses just into Delaware County
Delaware County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 118,769 people, 47,131 households, and 29,692 families residing in the county. The population density was 302 people per square mile . There were 51,032 housing units at an average density of 130 per square mile...
, near Bell Creek, another tributary of the White River that joins the West Fork near Yorktown
Yorktown, Indiana
Yorktown is a town in Mount Pleasant Township, Delaware County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,405 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Muncie, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Here, Fall Creek turns sharply to the southwest, crossing near Middletown
Middletown, Indiana
Middletown is a town in northwest Henry County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,322 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Middletown is located at ....
. Tributaries in Henry County
Henry County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 48,508 people, 19,486 households, and 13,971 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile . There were 20,592 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile...
include Honey Creek and Sugar Creek.
In Madison County
Madison County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 133,358 people, 53,052 households, and 36,234 families residing in the county. The population density was 295 people per square mile . There were 56,939 housing units at an average density of 126 per square mile...
, Fall Creek joins with Sly Fork in Adams Township
Adams Township, Madison County, Indiana
Adams Township is one of fourteen townships in Madison County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,780.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Adams Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Anderson *...
. In Pendleton
Pendleton, Indiana
Pendleton is a town in Fall Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, the creek joins Prairie Creek, and forms the basis of the Fall Creek Park of 150 acres (607,029 m²). Here, on 12 January 1825, the first execution of a white man for crimes against Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
was held when James Hudson was hanged for his role in the Fall Creek Massacre
Fall Creek Massacre
The Fall Creek Massacre was a slaughter of nine Indians of uncertain tribal origin in 1824 by white settlers in Madison County, Indiana. Seven white men participated in the crimes. Four were captured and charged with murder...
of 1824. Three small waterfalls are found in succession at the park, and at points the creek becomes wide and shallow enough to nearly walk across.
Fall Creek is joined by Lick Creek just over the Hamilton County
Hamilton County, Indiana
Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 274,569. The county seat is Noblesville....
line. It crosses the southeast corner of Hamilton County through Geist Reservoir
Geist Reservoir
Geist Reservoir is a reservoir in Lawrence, Indiana, U.S., constructed in 1943 by damming Fall Creek to provide water for Indianapolis. Upon completion, Geist Reservoir was the second largest man made lake in Indiana providing approximately seven billion gallons of water.-History:Geist Reservoir...
. The reservoir is created and maintained by a dam in Marion County
Marion County, Indiana
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...
.
Below the reservoir, the creek continues, and flows through Fort Harrison State Park
Fort Harrison State Park
Fort HarrisonDesignationState ParkLocationIndiana USANearest CitiesLawrence, IndianaCoordinatesArea Date of Establishment1996Governing BodyIndiana DNR...
, where pedestrian nature trails follow the course of the creek. Beyond the park, a paved trail follows the creek through Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. Fall Creek is dammed again in Indianapolis, at Keystone Avenue and Binford Boulevard. At downtown Indianapolis, Fall Creek actually crosses the Indiana Central Canal
Indiana Central Canal
The Indiana Central Canal was a canal intended to connect the Wabash and Erie Canal to the Ohio River. It was funded by the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act, Indiana's attempt to take part in the canal-building craze, started by the Erie Canal. $3.5 million was allocated for the project, the...
before emptying into the White River at 10th Street and White River Parkway, near the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis is an urban campus of Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Indiana University is the managing partner...
and across the street from the Veterans Administration
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
hospital. Indianapolis is a planned city and was purposely located near the confluence of Fall Creek and the White River; Fall Creek provided water power for early industrial development in the city.
External links
- http://www.fallcreekindiana.com/
- Fall Creek Trail, Indianapolis Greenways
- Fall Creek Watershed and Geist Reservoir