Alum Creek is long creek that runs north to south in central

Ohio Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...

. The creek originates in Morrow County and then flows through Delaware County and finally into Franklin County, where it ends at

Big Walnut Creek Big Walnut Creek starts near Mount Gilead, Ohio in Morrow County. It flows south to eastern Delaware County and parallels Alum Creek. It passes to the east of Sunbury and into Hoover Reservoir, which then crosses into Franklin County. Fro ...

, which drains into the

Scioto River The Scioto River ( ) is a river in central and southern Ohio more than in length. It rises in Hardin County just north of Roundhead, Ohio, flows through Columbus, Ohio, where it collects its largest tributary, the Olentangy River, and meets t ...

. Alum Creek is a source of drinking water for the city of

Westerville, Ohio Westerville is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, Franklin and Delaware County, Ohio, Delaware counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. A northeastern suburb of Columbus, Ohio, Columbus, the population was 39,190 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 ...

History

The Alum Creek valley was inhabited by the Adena over 2,000 years ago. This

mound builder A number of pre-Columbian cultures are collectively termed "Mound Builders". The term does not refer to a specific people or archaeological culture, but refers to the characteristic mound earthworks erected for an extended period of more than 5 ...

culture constructed seven mounds along Alum Creek. The Lenape (Delaware) Indian tribe later established many settlements near the creek. One of the first European settlers was Colonel Moses Byxbe, who constructed his home on Alum Creek in 1805. Colonel Byxbe owned or co-owned along the creek. As a defensive measure during the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It be ...

, local residents built four blockhouses in the area, including one on Alum Creek. The blockhouse, Fort Cheshire, was a 2-story log fortress, constructed so as to provide a place from which to shoot, drop boiling water, and defend against the threat of fire. The blockhouse was subsequently used as a schoolhouse and remained intact until the

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polici ...

. The fort is commemorated by a bronze plaque where the blockhouse once stood.

Underground Railroad

The history of Alum Creek is also notable for its connection to the

Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was a network of clandestine routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early- to mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada. ...

, by which many slaves found their freedom. The Underground Railroad's Sycamore Trail ran along Alum Creek. Africa Road, near Alum Creek, is so named because of the nearby settlement of thirty freed slaves from North Carolina. In 2003 a plaque was erected in associated with The Ohio Historical Society to commemorate its significance.

Course

Alum Creek rises near Mt. Gilead, Ohio and runs south, where it joins with Bunker Run, Indigo Creek, and West Branch Alum Creek. It then flows into

Alum Creek Lake Alum Creek Lake is a man-made reservoir located in Delaware County, Ohio, United States. It was built in 1974, covers , and has a maximum capacity of . Dam construction (1970–1974) Alum Creek Dam was constructed between 1970 and 1974 on Al ...

, along with Big Run. It flows out of the reservoir through Alum Creek Dam, and joins with several tributaries. It flows through

and

Columbus, Ohio Columbus () is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest, after Chicago, an ...

, before joining with Big Walnut Creek with Blacklick Creek in Three Creeks Metro Park.

Also known as

Three Creeks - Alum Creek joining Big Walnut Creek 1

*Allum Creek *Elk Creek *Seckle Creek *Sepung Creek *Salt Creek

Watershed

Alum Creek Lake Alum Creek Lake is a man-made reservoir located in Delaware County, Ohio, United States. It was built in 1974, covers , and has a maximum capacity of . Dam construction (1970–1974) Alum Creek Dam was constructed between 1970 and 1974 on Al ...

Near Elevation: In 1974, the Army Corps of Engineers completed the Alum Creek Reservoir near the middle portion of the creek length. The reservoir has a surface area of of water and was created to ensure a

water supply Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavors or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes. Public water supply systems are crucial to properly functioning societies. Th ...

for the city of Columbus, provide

flood control Flood control methods are used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters."Flood Control", MSN Encarta, 2008 (see below: Further reading). Flood relief methods are used to reduce the effects of flood waters or high water level ...

for the area south of the reservoir, and yield recreational opportunities.

Alum Creek Lake Dam

Near Elevation: Alum Creek Dam is part of the flood control plan for the

Ohio River The Ohio River is a long river in the United States. It is located at the boundary of the Midwestern and Southern United States, flowing southwesterly from western Pennsylvania to its mouth on the Mississippi River at the southern tip of ...

basin. Construction of the dam was authorized by the

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is Bicameralism, bicameral, composed of a lower body, the United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives, and an upper body, ...

as part of the Flood Control Act of 1962. Dam construction began in 1970 and was completed in 1974 by the

United States Army Corps of Engineers , colors = , anniversaries = 16 June (Organization Day) , battles = , battles_label = Wars , website = , commander1 = ...

. The Dam is located in Delaware County and its construction created Alum Creek Lake.

Tributaries

*West Branch Alum Creek *Indigo Creek *Bunker Run

References

''USGS Southeast Columbus'',

United States Geological Survey The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, ...

. Southeast Columbus quadrangle,

. 1:24,000. 7.5 Minute Series. Washington D.C.:

, 1992.

External links

* * * {{Authority control Rivers of Ohio Landforms of Columbus, Ohio Underground Railroad locations Rivers of Delaware County, Ohio Rivers of Franklin County, Ohio Rivers of Morrow County, Ohio

History

Underground Railroad

Course

Also known as

Watershed

Alum Creek Lake Alum Creek Lake is a man-made reservoir located in Delaware County, Ohio, United States. It was built in 1974, covers , and has a maximum capacity of . Dam construction (1970–1974) Alum Creek Dam was constructed between 1970 and 1974 on Al ...

Alum Creek Lake Dam

Tributaries

See also

References

External links