Arnold Creek (West Virginia)

Arnold Creek
Arnold Creek in Doddridge County
A map of Arnold Creek and its watershed
Location
CountryUnited States
StateWest Virginia
CountiesDoddridge, Tyler
Physical characteristics
SourceLeft Fork Arnold Creek
 • locationwest-northwest of Middle Point, Doddridge County
 • coordinates39°12′46″N 80°47′16″W / 39.2128626°N 80.7878823°W / 39.2128626; -80.7878823[1]
 • length4.9 miles (7.9 km)
 • elevation1,100 ft (340 m)[2]
2nd sourceRight Fork Arnold Creek
 • locationnortheast of Oxford, Doddridge County
 • coordinates39°13′10″N 80°49′48″W / 39.2195282°N 80.8301056°W / 39.2195282; -80.8301056[3]
 • length4.6 miles (7.4 km)
 • elevation1,045 ft (319 m)[2]
Source confluence 
 • locationsouthwest of West Union, Doddridge County
 • coordinates39°16′16″N 80°48′26″W / 39.2711943°N 80.8073276°W / 39.2711943; -80.8073276[1][3]
 • elevation827 ft (252 m)[1][3]
MouthMiddle Island Creek
 • location
east-northeast of Deep Valley
 • coordinates
39°20′36″N 80°49′45″W / 39.3434149°N 80.8292723°W / 39.3434149; -80.8292723[4]
 • elevation
728 ft (222 m)[4]
Length10.9 mi (17.5 km)
Basin size34.7 sq mi (90 km2)
Basin features
Hydrologic Unit Code050302010405 (USGS)

Arnold Creek is a tributary of Middle Island Creek, 10.9 miles (17.5 km) long,[5] in West Virginia in the United States. Via Middle Island Creek and the Ohio River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 34.7 square miles (90 km2)[6] in a rural region on the unglaciated portion of the Allegheny Plateau.

Arnold Creek is formed in western Doddridge County, approximately 2.4 miles (3.9 km) southwest of West Union, by the confluence of its left and right forks:

  • the Left Fork Arnold Creek,[1] 4.9 miles (7.9 km) long,[5] which rises in Doddridge County approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) west-northwest of Middle Point and flows generally northward
  • the Right Fork Arnold Creek,[3] 4.6 miles (7.4 km) long,[5] which rises in Doddridge County approximately 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Oxford and flows northeastward.

From this confluence, Arnold Creek flows generally northward through western Doddridge County. Near its mouth, it flows into southern Tyler County for a short distance, returns to Doddridge County, and flows into Middle Island Creek from the south on the boundary of Doddridge and Tyler counties, approximately 0.9 miles (1.4 km) east-northeast of the unincorporated community of Deep Valley.[7][8]

According to the Geographic Names Information System, the creek has also been known historically by the spelling "Arnolds Creek."[4]

  1. ^ a b c d Geographic Names Information System. "Geographic Names Information System entry for Left Fork Arnold Creek (Feature ID #1541622)". Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  2. ^ a b The National Map elevation for GNIS source coordinates. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  3. ^ a b c d Geographic Names Information System. "Geographic Names Information System entry for Right Fork Arnold Creek (Feature ID #1545606)". Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  4. ^ a b c Geographic Names Information System. "Geographic Names Information System entry for Arnold Creek (Feature ID #1535021)". Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  5. ^ a b c United States Environmental Protection Agency. "West Virginia, Little Muskingum-Middle Island Watershed". Archived from the original on 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  6. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset. Area data for Arnold Creek watershed, 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code 050302010405. The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2013-07-19
  7. ^ The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 2013-07-19
  8. ^ West Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1997. pp. 24, 35. ISBN 0-89933-246-3.