Muscatatuck River
Encyclopedia
The Muscatatuck River is a 53.7 miles (86.4 km) bifurcate
river
in south-central Indiana
. It is a major tributary of the East Fork of the White River
, and drains 1000 square miles (2,590 km²). In one area it serves as the southern boundary of the main unit of the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
. It also goes across the Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area and by Muscatatuck County Park
.
The path of the Muscatatuck was formed by valley beds created during an ice age
. It is believed that the first people arrived and lived by the Muscatatuck around 8000 BC, maintaining permanent structures between 1000 BC to 1000 AD. The first documented whites arrived in 1818, although it is possible that squatters lived in the area before Indiana's 1816 statehood.
In the early 20th century, the name of the river was "Muscackituck". It is believed that the original white name was "Muscakituck", written in 1812 by a man named Tipton. Some believe the name comes from the Munsee words for "swamp
" and "river".
The 88.5 miles (142.4 km) Vernon Fork of the Muscatatuck is a longer branch of the river than the main stem, or southern branch, of the Muscatatuck. The Vernon Fork provides the city of North Vernon
with its drinking water, and flows for 59 miles (95 km) of its length in Jennings County
. The town of Vernon
is nearly surrounded by the Vernon Fork, with only a small neck of dry land that leads to North Vernon.
Before 1830, the Muscatatuck River was navigable, with local settlers being able to ship pork
down the river to eventually reach New Orleans. However, around 1830, the river became no longer navigable, as dirt fill accumulated along the river bed. However, some groups "float" along stretches of the river.
Noted Hoosier artist T. C. Steele
particularly loved using the Muscatatuck River in his paintings.
River bifurcation
River bifurcation occurs when a river flowing in a single stream separates into two or more separate streams which continue downstream. Some rivers form complex networks of distributaries, especially in their deltas...
river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in south-central 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...
. It is a major tributary of the East Fork 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...
, and drains 1000 square miles (2,590 km²). In one area it serves as the southern boundary of the main unit of the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
The Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located three miles east of Seymour, Indiana, on U.S. Route 50. Established in 1966, it comprises in its main area of eastern Jackson and western Jennings counties, and an additional in northwestern Monroe County, near...
. It also goes across the Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area and by Muscatatuck County Park
Muscatatuck County Park
Muscatatuck County Park, formerly known as Vinegar Mills State Park and Muscatatuck State Park, is a recreational park located by the town of Vernon, Indiana in Jennings County....
.
The path of the Muscatatuck was formed by valley beds created during an ice age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
. It is believed that the first people arrived and lived by the Muscatatuck around 8000 BC, maintaining permanent structures between 1000 BC to 1000 AD. The first documented whites arrived in 1818, although it is possible that squatters lived in the area before Indiana's 1816 statehood.
In the early 20th century, the name of the river was "Muscackituck". It is believed that the original white name was "Muscakituck", written in 1812 by a man named Tipton. Some believe the name comes from the Munsee words for "swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
" and "river".
The 88.5 miles (142.4 km) Vernon Fork of the Muscatatuck is a longer branch of the river than the main stem, or southern branch, of the Muscatatuck. The Vernon Fork provides the city of North Vernon
North Vernon, Indiana
North Vernon is a city in Jennings County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,728 at the 2010 census.-Geography:North Vernon is located at ....
with its drinking water, and flows for 59 miles (95 km) of its length in Jennings County
Jennings County, Indiana
Jennings County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 28,525. The county seat is Vernon.-History:...
. The town of Vernon
Vernon, Indiana
Vernon is a town in Vernon Township, Jennings County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 330. As the county seat of Jennings County, it is the smallest town with that designation in the state of Indiana. It is nearly surrounded by the Muscatatuck River...
is nearly surrounded by the Vernon Fork, with only a small neck of dry land that leads to North Vernon.
Before 1830, the Muscatatuck River was navigable, with local settlers being able to ship pork
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....
down the river to eventually reach New Orleans. However, around 1830, the river became no longer navigable, as dirt fill accumulated along the river bed. However, some groups "float" along stretches of the river.
Noted Hoosier artist T. C. Steele
T. C. Steele
Theodore Clement Steele was an American Impressionist painter known for his Indiana landscapes.Theodore Steele's paintings are in many public collections, including those of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Indiana University Art Museum in Bloomington,...
particularly loved using the Muscatatuck River in his paintings.