Silver Creek
Length - About 34 miles
Silver Creek is navigable in Clark County from its junction with the Ohio River for 3.0 river miles.1 Although people do canoe in Silver Creek, there is no good public access. At its junction with the Ohio River Silver Creek runs through the forty seven acre Loop Island Wetlands. A small island is fomed at the junction. A bend in the form of a loop is what gives the area its name. Silver Creek is bordered by valleys that range from a half mile to several miles wide. It is surrounded by gently sloping and nearly level terraces. The bottomland areas are well drained to
somewhat poorly drained or poorly drained and frequently flooded. The major tributaries of Silver Creek are Sinking Fork and Pleasant Run from the east and Miller Fork, Caney Fork,
and Blue Lick Creek from the west. It begins in the upland area of Clark State Forest, the highest elevation of the creek at 972 feet. The lowest point is where the creek enters the Ohio River, three hundred and eighty feet above sea level.
Silver Creek Watershed drains from the four counties of Clark, Floyd, Scott, and Washington. The total area of the Silver Creek Watershed is 97,442.9 acres, or 152.25
square miles. Silver Creek also forms part of the county boundary between Clark and Floyd Counties as it nears the Ohio River. Eighty two percent of Silver Creek lies in Clark County.
The water flow of Silver Creek is sufficient at times of the year to power gristmills and during the early portion of the area's development there were many built along its course. The most famous was Blackiston Mill built in 1853. Its slate and concrete dam still exists.
There are two theories about how Silver Creek derived its name:
1. In 1775 a band of roving Indians buried a keg of silver by the creek.
2. Early flat-boatmen, while on their way down the Ohio River, were heard to remark that yonder range of hills (knobs) is supposed to be rich in silver ore. No paying quantities have ever
been found.
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Indiana Waterways
© Indiana Places 2013
Length - About 34 miles
Silver Creek is navigable in Clark County from its junction with the Ohio River for 3.0 river miles.1 Although people do canoe in Silver Creek, there is no good public access. At its junction with the Ohio River Silver Creek runs through the forty seven acre Loop Island Wetlands. A small island is fomed at the junction. A bend in the form of a loop is what gives the area its name. Silver Creek is bordered by valleys that range from a half mile to several miles wide. It is surrounded by gently sloping and nearly level terraces. The bottomland areas are well drained to
somewhat poorly drained or poorly drained and frequently flooded. The major tributaries of Silver Creek are Sinking Fork and Pleasant Run from the east and Miller Fork, Caney Fork,
and Blue Lick Creek from the west. It begins in the upland area of Clark State Forest, the highest elevation of the creek at 972 feet. The lowest point is where the creek enters the Ohio River, three hundred and eighty feet above sea level.
Silver Creek Watershed drains from the four counties of Clark, Floyd, Scott, and Washington. The total area of the Silver Creek Watershed is 97,442.9 acres, or 152.25
square miles. Silver Creek also forms part of the county boundary between Clark and Floyd Counties as it nears the Ohio River. Eighty two percent of Silver Creek lies in Clark County.
The water flow of Silver Creek is sufficient at times of the year to power gristmills and during the early portion of the area's development there were many built along its course. The most famous was Blackiston Mill built in 1853. Its slate and concrete dam still exists.
There are two theories about how Silver Creek derived its name:
1. In 1775 a band of roving Indians buried a keg of silver by the creek.
2. Early flat-boatmen, while on their way down the Ohio River, were heard to remark that yonder range of hills (knobs) is supposed to be rich in silver ore. No paying quantities have ever
been found.
Back to New Albany
Back To Floyd County, Indiana
Indiana Waterways
© Indiana Places 2013
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